Preschool Insects Theme Activities
Below you can find tons of fun and engaging Preschool insect activities!
Club Members can download our Insect activities and their
Insects theme planning guide for free!
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Insects theme planning guide for free!
Not a member? Find out more about our membership
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Insects Theme Map
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Fly Swatter Painting
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Try this!
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Art Center Materials for your Insect Theme
Add a variety of insect stickers, stamps, egg cartons, pom poms and stencils to your art space this week.
Create an Insect
Set up an invitation to create an insect!
Some items you might include: Paper plates,
A variety of shapes cut out of card stock, construction paper, brads for connecting the pieces,chenille sticks, and
googly eyes or eye stickers
Some items you might include: Paper plates,
A variety of shapes cut out of card stock, construction paper, brads for connecting the pieces,chenille sticks, and
googly eyes or eye stickers
Insect Tracks
Invite preschoolers to paint by dipping plastic insects into paint and then stamping or dragging across paper
Me..As a Bug!
Trace each preschooler on a large piece of paper, invite them to turn their outline into an insect by adding extra legs and antennae. You could also do this with sidewalk chalk.
Buggy Snacks
Here are some creative ideas for Insect Themed Snacks this week:
- Ants on a Log
- Butterfly snack bag (fill a snack bag with small snack such as goldfish or raisins, put a clothespin in the center and decorate to look like a butterfly)
- Caterpillar crackers (round crackers with cream cheese, use raisins for eyes)
Bug Play Dough Habitats
Set up an invitation to play that includes green and brown play dough, plastic bugs, fake flowers, sticks, rocks, etc. Invite preschoolers to create a bug scene using the play dough to anchor their creations.
In the Grass Cut and Paste Activity*
Try our free insect themed craft! Children will practice using scissors in order to reveal who is hiding in the grass!
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Try this activity for free!
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Bug Antennae Craft
Materials:
Sentence strips or construction paper Crayons, markers or paint –in browns, black, grey, white, bronze, or gold colors Tape Brown or Black pipe cleaners Directions: Lay out sentence strips and let children color the color of their choice. If using construction paper, pre-cut into strips that will fit around the students' head. Once they are finished coloring, turn the strip over and tape the pipe cleaners close to the middle. Then fit the paper to the students' head and tape in place. Let them curl the tips of the pipe cleaners in any shape they choose or even leave them straight. |
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More Art & Creative Ideas:
- Grasshopper Craft from Learn to Create Love
- Ladybug Crafts from Housing a Forest
Life-Size Bugs
Create an indoor world for "Life Size" insects.
Add items for insect "Dress Up": Wings, Insect Glasses, and Masks.
Get a closer look at this life sized garden over at Miss Hope's Blog
Add items for insect "Dress Up": Wings, Insect Glasses, and Masks.
Get a closer look at this life sized garden over at Miss Hope's Blog
Entomologist Lab
Transform your Dramatic Play Stand into an Entomologist lab!
Add bug viewers, insects sealed in acrylic, magnifying glasses, tweezers, microscope, photos of insects, books about insects, clip boards and writing instruments, pretend insects, lab coats, silk flowers and photos of scientists at work.
Add bug viewers, insects sealed in acrylic, magnifying glasses, tweezers, microscope, photos of insects, books about insects, clip boards and writing instruments, pretend insects, lab coats, silk flowers and photos of scientists at work.
Ant Colony
Add cardboard boxes or cardboard blocks to the dramatic play area along with antenna head bands for children to wear. Invite them to create tunnels/ant hills and pretend to live and work together in an ant colony.
Bug Puppet Show
Leave out pictures of different bugs on sticks or bug puppets if you have them. Invite your preschoolers to put on a bug themed puppet show for each other.
Going on A Bug Hunt
Hide plastic bugs around the dramatic play area along with materials that simulate the woods, grass, logs, etc. Give your preschoolers magnifying glasses, hiking gear, bug nets etc. and have them try to find the hidden bugs.
Bug Charades-Group Activity
Play What bug am I? Provide cards with pictures of insects (draw your own or use the 3-part cards in the Insect Pack). Preschoolers take turns drawing an insect card, without showing their peers they act like that insect and see if their peers can guess which insect they are.
Materials to add for an Insect Small World Play
Add Pretend Insects, plants, Items from Nature, Green & Brown Felt pieces, and Rocks.
Add Insect Patterns for pattern blocks.
Add Insect Patterns for pattern blocks.
Construct A Bug Habitat
Create blueprints for a bug den and then build in the block area. Add pretend bugs to complete the play.
Building Insects
Have children build various insects using art supplies!
Supplies Needed: Pipe cleaners (various colors) Muffin liners (various colors and/or designs) Glue Stick Scissors Craft eyes Small Styrofoam ball Craft sticks (various colors) Spider Use a brown marker to make little dots on the styrofoam ball. Glue on 2 craft eyes. Cut a brown pipe cleaner into 8 equal size pieces. Press one end directly into the Styrofoam ball, 4 on each side. Butterfly Fold 2 muffin liners in half and glue them to either side of a colored craft stick to form the wings. Glue on craft eyes at one end of the craft stick. Caterpillar Cut green pipe cleaners into 12 equal size pieces large enough to form a circle, secure the circles by twisting ends around the circle itself. Roll 6 muffin liners into flat puffs, color/design side up. Place one circle inside another as shown fill each ball with a muffin liner to form the body. Glue the balls together at the intersections. Continue this process until all 6 body pieces are complete. On the last body piece glue on 2 craft eyes for the head of the caterpillar. If desired, cut 12 equal size pieces of another green pipe cleaner to make the legs and glue them to the bottom of each ball. You can leave the body in separate parts or glue each one together. |
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*3-Part Insect Cards
Add 3-part cards (included in my Insects Activity Pack) to the activity shelf for learning insect nomenclature. Set out some pretend bugs for children to match-up to the cards.
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Buy this activity!
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Posters of InsectsHang posters that include pictures of insects and vocabulary describing the different parts of insects.
Complete and then hang the Praying Mantis Life Cycle and Labeling Parts of a Praying Mantis included in my Insects Activity Pack for reference. |
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Make -ug Words*
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Bug Name Writing Tray
Set up a letter writing tray with dirt. Provide plastic bugs or bug erasers. Students choose a bug, and use them to trace the letters in their names.
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Fly Swatter Sounds
Place pictures on the floor. Have students pick a picture, identify the beginning sound (or you can do the ending sound for a challenge!), and then have them use a fly swatter to swat the picture and say the sound.
Be sure to provide and read lots of books about insects this week. Include books that can be used as reference when children have questions about books (this is a great time for children to learn that information can be found in books), fun story books about bugs, books with photographs of real insects, and easy to read books about insects for early readers. Here are some of my favorite books about insects!
Bugs Galore by Peter Stein
In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Ultimate Bugopedia (National Geographic Kids) by Darlyne Murawski
Are You a Grasshopper? by Judy Allen
Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by Bob Barner
Bugs A-Z by Carolyn Lawton
In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Ultimate Bugopedia (National Geographic Kids) by Darlyne Murawski
Are You a Grasshopper? by Judy Allen
Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by Bob Barner
Bugs A-Z by Carolyn Lawton
Catch a Bug Shape Matching Game*
Sort buggy shapes into their same shaped jar to practice shape recognition and sorting skills. This activity is included in the Insects Preschool Activity Pack.
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Insect Count and Clip CardsCount up the number of ladybugs on the leaf, then find and identify the correct number and clip with a clothespin. Count and clip cards are not only great for math skills, but fine motor too!
This activity can be found inside our Insects Preschool Activity Pack. |
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Insect Number Puzzle*
Practice ordering skills, number recognition, and problem-solving with an Insect Number puzzle.
This one is included in the Insects Preschool Activity Pack from PKPF |
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Bug Counting & Observation
Take a camera outside and search for bugs. Take pictures of all the creatures you find. Then, count them up! After you count them up, see if you can figure out how many legs each had and how many legs total for all the creatures you found.
Sorting Insects
Gather 3 different types of plastic bugs and place in a bin. Place 3 empty containers next it to. Challenge preschoolers to to use tweezers or scoops to sort the bugs (one type of bug per container). Give them an extra challenge by having them time how fast they can sort out all of the bugs only using the tools.
Outdoor Bug ExplorationCreate a place for exploring insects outside. This fabulous outdoor bug exploration area belongs to reader Teresa Becker
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Take a Closer LookWhen the time is taken to really look close and quietly observe, you can discover all kinds of creatures. The kids at Building Blocks Family Childcare found this ladybug in the pupal stage. During this stage the ladybug remains attached to the leaf which allowed observation over several days.
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Indoor Bug Habitat
Set up a bug enclosure in your learning environment for studying insects. This can be something as simple as a large plastic container with a lid (be sure to provide ventilation for extended viewing) or a large aquarium for students to add insects to for observation.
Investigate Bugs
Add skins from bugs that have molted to a tray with a magnifying glass for students to explore
Flying and Non-Flying Insects
Sort bugs by flying and non-flying (printable included in my Insects Activity Pack) using photographs or insects or insect counters. Find other ways to sort insects!
Build a Bug Hotel
Use materials found outside such as pine cones, sticks, leaves as well as cardboard to fill a cut off plastic bottle to create a bug hotel. Help your preschoolers find a place to put their bug hotel outside to give bugs a nice home! You want to make sure that items are packed in tightly enough to not fall out, but you want some small spaces between materials as this is where the bugs can make their homes.
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Measure Bug Biodiversity
Investigate the bug biodiversity in your outdoor play area with a Backyard Bug Investigation.
Start with an empty flower pot, wooden box, or other large container that can be laid on it's side. Make layers using a variety of materials such as dead wood, straw, hay, leaves, bark, twigs, and fresh cut flowers. Come back to the bug hotel often to see what kind of creatures have checked in! As students are observing point out the different layers, see if different types of insects have checked into different types of materials. **Provide magnifying glasses and clipboards with pencils for observing and recording data about the bug hotel!
Make a graph or other record of the different types of bugs that visit the hotel. Look around the rest of the play area for other types of bugs, record those and discuss why they didn't visit the bug hotel (think about what those bugs need to thrive that are not offered in the bug hotel).
Start with an empty flower pot, wooden box, or other large container that can be laid on it's side. Make layers using a variety of materials such as dead wood, straw, hay, leaves, bark, twigs, and fresh cut flowers. Come back to the bug hotel often to see what kind of creatures have checked in! As students are observing point out the different layers, see if different types of insects have checked into different types of materials. **Provide magnifying glasses and clipboards with pencils for observing and recording data about the bug hotel!
Make a graph or other record of the different types of bugs that visit the hotel. Look around the rest of the play area for other types of bugs, record those and discuss why they didn't visit the bug hotel (think about what those bugs need to thrive that are not offered in the bug hotel).
Bug Hunt
.Go on a bug hunt! Gather clipboards, crayons, and magnifying classes then go on a walk or explore your outdoor play space to see what kind of creatures can be found! Students can record their data by writing or drawing a picture. Consider creating a simple checklist to go along with this activity.
It would be fun to collect the drawings or photos and create a Bug Hunt Class Book.
It would be fun to collect the drawings or photos and create a Bug Hunt Class Book.
Praying Mantis Activities
Watch a Praying Mantis Egg hatch (you can purchase them on-line or at your local garden center). Compliment this activity with one our Praying Mantis resources (Life Cycle and Labeling Activity) found inside our Insects Activity Pack.
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Insect Sensory Bin
Set up a sensory invitation! This Insect Sensory Bin was created by our reader Erica of Erica's Educare Learning Center. Give a big workout to small hands by adding small tweezers for preschoolers to pick the bugs out.
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Move Like a Bug- Gross Motor
Get preschoolers moving their body from head to toe! Invite your preschoolers to move their body like different insects. Use large colorful pictures if available, or simply announce an insect for them to move like. Give the preschoolers a chance to announce insects as well. Be sure to encourage movement that engages the whole body!
Follow that Bug! Gross Motor
Play a version of Follow the Leader, in this version the leader announces an insect and then mimics the behavior of that insect as the rest follow.
Insect Play Dough Invitation-Fine Motor
Set up an invitation to make insects from play dough. Some materials to consider: small twigs, chenille sticks, googly eyes, parts from a Cootie game, etc. Let children build their own bugs and show off their creations.
Make your own Insect Lacing Cards-Fine Motor
Print off pictures of bugs on card stock, cut out, laminate and punch holes around the outside of the picture. Add string and let your preschoolers weave the string in and out of the holes to practice their fine motor skills. You can use our 3 part cards, or other real pictures of insects so that students can see them up close!
The Ants Go Marching Gross Motor
Outside draw different lines that students can follow with chalk all heading back to the "ant hill" (or you can set up inside using painter's tape on the floor!). Challenge your preschoolers to march along the different lines to get back to the ant hill. You can even play The Ants Go Marching as inspiration as you play!
Bug Scavenger Hunt Gross Motor
Hide plastic bugs all through the outside area or classroom. Give students a checklist for them to follow and have them find all of the bugs on their lists. Students will need to engage in gross motor movements as they look under items, look for bugs up high, navigate the territory, etc. Consider having children work in pairs to find the insects. Provide fun hats and explorer vests if you have them along with magnifying glasses and nets/tweezers for collecting specimens.
Find the Insect Gross Motor
Draw different insects in chalk on the pavement (ants, beetles, ladybugs, etc.). Call out a type of bug and a movement. For example, "Hop to a ladybug." The preschoolers do the action over to that type of bug. You could play it like a musical chairs game, each time erasing a bug and the preschooler who doesn't get to a bug is out.
Save the Bugs- Fine Motor Activity
Place plastic bugs in the bottom of a tray that has openings on the side. Lace yarn or string through the openings to create a spider's web across the top of the tray. Have your preschoolers save the bugs from the spider's web by using tweezers to reach in and pull the bugs through openings in the yarn.
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Ladybug Craft-Fine Motor
Cut out ladybug templates out of red construction paper. Provide your students with black dot markers, and have them add dots to the ladybug template with their daubers.
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Respecting Space
A study of insects is a good time to talk about the importance of giving one another space and respecting boundaries.
There are many insects that do fine being handled. However, there are also many that are either too delicate to handle or that can harm a child.
Teaching children about the signs that an insect wants to be left alone is beneficial to bugs, and to their peers.
Invite your preschoolers to discuss: What can you do if someone is too close to you? How can you tell someone respectfully that you need space?
The Book Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader is a great tool to use while teaching children about respecting space.
There are many insects that do fine being handled. However, there are also many that are either too delicate to handle or that can harm a child.
Teaching children about the signs that an insect wants to be left alone is beneficial to bugs, and to their peers.
Invite your preschoolers to discuss: What can you do if someone is too close to you? How can you tell someone respectfully that you need space?
The Book Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader is a great tool to use while teaching children about respecting space.
Insect Yoga
Help your preschoolers practice mindfulness through insect themed yoga posts.
You can use this YouTube video as inspiration!
You can use this YouTube video as inspiration!
Bug Journal
Have your preschoolers keep a bug journal where they explore for bugs and record the ones they find in their journal by drawing pictures of each bug and the location they were found. These would be great to share at circle time each day!
Bug Map
Have your students follow a map to get a bug home! Create a map and key
that your students can follow to a location outside or inside the
classroom to find the bug's home and deliver it safely.
Buggy Emotions
Give students a blank circle as their bug face. Print off different
expressions (eyes and mouths) and ask the students to build different
emotions on their bug face. They can also choose to add items like
antenna or even extra eyes to complete the bug's emotion!
Bug Charades-Team Activity
Play What bug am I?
Provide cards with pictures of insects (draw your own or use the 3-part cards in the Insect Pack). Preschoolers take turns drawing an insect card, without showing their peers they act like that insect and see if their peers can guess which insect they are.
Provide cards with pictures of insects (draw your own or use the 3-part cards in the Insect Pack). Preschoolers take turns drawing an insect card, without showing their peers they act like that insect and see if their peers can guess which insect they are.
Class Bug Hunt-Team Activity
Set up a bug hunt in the classroom.
Hide plastic bugs or photographs in the classroom for students to search for. Give students each a collection jar or container to collect their insects. Once they have found all the insects invite everyone to share and compare their finds!
**Get creative! Bring in large rocks (or simply cut some out of paper), or sticks, pretend grass etc. to hide bugs in or around. Consider having children work in pairs to find the insects. Provide fun hats and explorer vests if you have them along with magnifying glasses and nets/tweezers for collecting specimens.
Hide plastic bugs or photographs in the classroom for students to search for. Give students each a collection jar or container to collect their insects. Once they have found all the insects invite everyone to share and compare their finds!
**Get creative! Bring in large rocks (or simply cut some out of paper), or sticks, pretend grass etc. to hide bugs in or around. Consider having children work in pairs to find the insects. Provide fun hats and explorer vests if you have them along with magnifying glasses and nets/tweezers for collecting specimens.
More Group Game Ideas
- Play Cootie or Ants in Pants
Theme Communication
In your Theme Communication for your study of Insects plan to let parents know about a few key activities you will be doing over the course of the theme.
Community Insect Biodiversity
Encourage parents to quietly observe their backyard with their preschooler, see what insects can be found. Preschoolers can be invited to share about their findings during the daily social meeting.
Encourage families to share photographs of the creatures they found.
As a group you can take this information and compare which creatures each child found. All children are likely to find ants, children that have lots of flowers in their yard may find butterflies.
Print the pictures shared by parents.
Children can make comparisons about the insects in the photos. Swap photos, challenge children to find the insect on the photo they are given in their own backyard.
Encourage families to share photographs of the creatures they found.
As a group you can take this information and compare which creatures each child found. All children are likely to find ants, children that have lots of flowers in their yard may find butterflies.
Print the pictures shared by parents.
Children can make comparisons about the insects in the photos. Swap photos, challenge children to find the insect on the photo they are given in their own backyard.
