Insects are a wonderful topic of study for spring. For this reason, my kids and I have been doing a number of activities focused on insects in recent weeks. Among the insect learning activities I have prepared for my kids are activities focused on shapes, colors, fine motor skills, and more.
Note: For more resources, printables and activities related to insects, please see my insects unit study page.
Insect shapes with pattern blocks
I found some wonderful, free printables from PreKinders that XGirl and QBoy used to create several different insects with our wooden pattern blocks
Color matching and fine motor
XGirl worked on color matching and fine motor skills using this Butterfly Color Matching worksheet from my Insects Printable Pack. Because I wanted to be able to reuse the worksheets, I inserted them into our new Crayola Dry Erase Activity Centers. The kids have loved using them, and I find these to be easier than laminating every sheet.
Which one different?
QBoy worked on visual discrimination with this ladybug-themed Which One is Different? worksheet from my Insects Printable Pack.
Pre-writing practice
XGirl did some pre-writing practice using this maze worksheet from my Insects Printable Pack.
Insect lacing cards
I picked up these Friendliest Bug Lacing Cards
Ants on a log
And of course, I couldn’t do an insects unit without introducing the kids to a favorite snack from my childhood – ants on a log! I put almond butter (but you could use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter) on sticks of celery to make the “log,” then added raisins on top to create the “ants.” The kids thought these were so funny and they gobbled them up!
More insect learning resources
Insect printables from Gift of Curiosity:
- Insects Printables Pack
- Insects Do-a-Dot Printables
- Insects Anatomy Game
- Insects Grid Games
- Ant Printables Pack
- Ant 3-Part Cards
- Ant Do-a-Dot Printables
- Ladybug Do-a-Dot Printables
- Bee Do-a-Dot Printables
- Bee Sudoku
- Butterfly Do-a-Dot Printables
For more insect resources, activities, and printables, please see my Insects Unit Study page and my Insects Pinterest board.
Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Unit Ideas: Insects & Bugs on Pinterest.
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Samantha Lehmann says
May 30, 2013 at 5:29 pmTry having them make the head, thorax, and abdomen out of a variety of kinds of candy. We used that piñata candy and left-overs from Easter for a 3D insect. They created names.. Maltomillispreed. So funny. They glued the stuff to cardboard 4×6’s. it really helped them cement the idea do 3 body parts, antennae, compound eyes, 6 legs etc. print an insect body PDF with the part names first. It helps them. And we sing, “Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen.” To the tune of head shoulders knees and toes. They touch the parts and pretend they have antennae above their eyes with their fingers. I chart the words for my littler ones for guided reading and writing.
Katie says
May 30, 2013 at 8:31 pmLove these ideas Samantha! Thanks so much for sharing them! My daughter *LOVES* to sing and can memorize just about anything that is sung, so I know the “Head, Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen” song would be a hit with her.
Julie says
May 31, 2013 at 3:26 amLacing cards and geometric tangrams are two great kid activities. I love that you connected them with a theme and healthy snack.
Tara from The Magnolia Barn says
June 2, 2013 at 12:05 pmSo glad I found your site! We are doing a ladybug theme next week and your printables are adorable. I just pinned them, thanks!
Renae says
June 2, 2013 at 7:12 pmThanks you so much for sharing. We’ve done an insect unit in the past, but plan to do another one in the spring next year. I love the pattern block templates! I would have never thought to even look for something like that. I definitely plan on using it. 🙂
Katie says
June 2, 2013 at 7:15 pmGlad we could provide some inspiration! There’s a lot of great resources out there for an insect theme!
Pinkoddy says
June 3, 2013 at 9:18 amThis is perfect timing as today we went on a bug hunt.
Thanks for sharing on MotivationalMonday
Sarah says
June 5, 2013 at 12:05 pmI love pattern blocks! Your post is reminding me that I really want to get some for our house! Great activities 🙂
Katie says
June 5, 2013 at 1:11 pmThere’s so many great ways to use pattern blocks!
Natasha says
June 7, 2013 at 10:16 amI love it!! This post is brilliant, you have great ideas x
Momma Jo says
June 11, 2013 at 10:00 pmI love the activities you put together for this theme 🙂 Thanks for sharing
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Holly B. says
September 20, 2013 at 12:03 pmLOVE your activities! Thank you for posting your ideas and links. I downloaded the pattern block printables and your Insect Pack. Thank you for letting the homeschooling world (and others) have it free!