My boys have recently decided that they think bugs are SO COOL!! So of course, I had to come up with/find a few bug activities to supplement some of our sensory play.
1. Bugs + Beans, Sand, Or Play dough
To set up bug sensory bin is rather simple! Just choose a base (we've done beans, sand, and play dough), and throw in some bugs with a few tools!
If using sand or beans, I will give them some scoops. When using play dough it is fun to make little "fossils" by creating indentations in the play dough with the bugs
We found a little bug catching set at the dollar store that is a fun add in as well! It came with a little tweezer to catch the bugs and also a little net.
2. Caterpillar Patterns with Dot Markers
For this activity, I created a little template of a "caterpillar body"
You can decide which patterns you would like to work with! (AB, AAB, ABC, ABB, etc.)
I began the pattern by dotting the first couple circles and then my toddler completed the pattern
While your toddler is working on the pattern, work together by saying the pattern aloud, this will help your little one not only see but hear the repetition
If you have younger littles who don't understand patterns yet, just let them color the caterpillars with dot markers!
3. Wings + No Wings Sorting
This is a great one that my 3 year old AND almost 2 year old were able to participate in together
It's rather simple, print out the template (or create your own) and have your little one sort some bugs! Our Amazon pack of bugs had the perfect mix of wing vs. no wing bugs!
4. Butterfly Symmetry
We did some butterfly painting with Q-tips!
A fun opportunity to teach your little ones about symmetry (being exactly the same or equal on both sides)
To give our butterfly symmetry, I covered up half of the butterfly and had my toddler paint only one side. After he was finished, we folded the butterfly down the middle to create symmetry with the paint!
5. Bug Math (more and less)
This was a fun one to do with my three year old
We printed off our more and less bug template and threw it in a sheet protector (you could also laminate)
Optional - grab 3 mason jars to use
Choose a number (we started simple and chose the number 2) and circle it on the number line and write number in the middle jar. Next, have your toddler put 2 bugs into the middle jar.
Continue the activity by teaching about one more and one less! Using the number line was a great supplement to teaching this math concept.
6. Move Like A Bug
There are so many versions of this one and it's a great, quick activity to whip out when you need to lighten the mood and get your little ones moving!
For this activity, you can make a "dice" or cube with cardboard and your bug cards OR you can just use them as flashcards and have your little pick from a hat!
Have them pick the card and do the motions!
To make the "dice" cut out 6 pieces of cardboard the size of the bug cards
Tape the paper onto the cardboard and tape all the edges together to form cube!
7. Letter Sounds with Bugs
A cute activity to practice letter sounds with your older toddler
Print off the sound sheets
Grab the letters you will need for each bug sheet
Work together one sheet at a time. Say the sound, /b/, and then the bug, butterfly. Work with your little to figure out the beginning sound. Repeat the sound as many time as necessary. After they get the beginning sound, reiterate that B makes the /b/ sound! The more repetition and times they hear it the quicker it will begin to stick in their growing brains!
8. Additional fun ideas!
Grow a Butterfly
Bug Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Zoo
Pick out bug books from the library!
Amazon links!
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