Service Sparks: Neighborhood Ladybug Hunt
Keywords:
Art
Community
Environment
Family
Nature
SimpleSafeService
Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects! This is a cheerful service project that involves art, getting outdoors, hiding treasures, finding treasures, and connecting with neighbors even though you don't see one another. Ideal for older youth to organize for younger youth.
SERVICE SPARKS
Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects!
Everyone loves to find treasures! This is a fun activity to bring the neighborhood or community together with a scavenger hunt. Get everyone involved in painting ladybug designs on rocks and then hiding them in plain sight around town. Finders take pictures and give clues but don't pick up the treasures.
- What is a ladybug? This National Geographic article provides descriptions and pictures.
- It's your turn to write up a description of the community ladybug scavenger hunt and let everyone know about it through a shared site, flyers at doors, or a sign at the grocery store - everyone is welcome to make or find the ladybugs painted on rocks.
- Collect several flat stones about 5cm across. Use acrylic paints to paint the stones like red ladybugs with spots.
- Hide them outside in plain sight where people walk - on ledges, at the base of trees, next to mailboxes, in little free libraries.
- Take pictures when you find a ladybug and share the outdoor adventures on social media or a neighborhood or school site.
- Decide how people will keep track of the finds and talk about it online.
BONUS: Read the book The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. Ask the question, what can be done to make the ladybug happy? - Learn more with a Learning to Give lesson Connecting People through Art
Reflection: Talk at the dinner table about why it feels good to find a ladybug or for someone to find the ladybug you made.
Explore more Service Sparks projects:
Learning to Give ...
- educates youth about philanthropy, the civil society sector, and the importance of giving their time, talent and treasure for the common good (knowledge),
- equips youth by encouraging philanthropic behavior and experience (skills), and,
- empowers youth to take voluntary citizen action for the common good in their classrooms, lives and communities (behavior).