Bug Themed Learning Activities for Preschoolers

Let’s have fun learning with bugs! This week’s creative learning theme is bug themed learning activities for preschoolers. We loved this theme so much that we have to split our post into 3 parts! Part 2 is a salt painting and science activity with butterflies and a dragonfly. Since we incorporated math and art into today’s paper plate snail craft and spider web lacing activity, we will round out a full STEAM bug theme with a fun engineering activity and a bug/insect learning app.

Don’t forget to stop by our friends’ preschool bug posts for even more fun!

Here’s a bit of science: spiders, snails, butterflies, bees, ants, among many others are not bugs. Well, technically speaking anyway. We still call them bugs so our 3 posts will be actually bugs that aren’t really bugs…. hehe. This article explains the difference between bugs and insects.

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Spider Web Number Lacing Activity

This paper plate spider web craft makes a fun preschool math activity since it works on number recognition and counting. Lacing the spider web is great for working those fine motor skills!

Supplies Needed:

• paper plate
• hole punch
• lacing cord or string
• marker
• scissors
• glue/glue dots
• pom poms
• pipe cleaner

Instructions:

Cut about a 1 inch slit in the side of a paper plate. Cut the center out and then tape the slit back together. Use a hole punch to make holes around the rim. Write numbers in random order next to or above the holes you punched. We ended up with 18 holes total and used purple lacing cord because it’s one of Little Sister’s favorite colors.

Now it’s time to make the spider web! This is great because while they are busy counting, they are working their fine motor skills. Start by tying one end of the lacing cord by hole number 1. Have the child look for number 2 and lace the cord/string through the hole. Repeat until all the numbers are done. Leave a somewhat long part of the string hanging down to tie a spider on.

We made our spider from pom poms, a fuzzy stick, and googly eyes. I like these particular googly eyes that CraftProjectIdeas.com sent us (free) because they have a sticky backside. This makes them stick a lot better than using glue. I have also found that using glue dots also works better for gluing the pom poms together as well as for attaching the fuzzy sticks.

The fuzzy stick is cut into 4 pieces – this provides an easy cutting practice activity for preschoolers. Twist the cut pieces together in the center and glue to the pom poms. Little Sister’s other favorite color beside pink and purple is yellow, so we made a yellow spider.  Tie the loose end to the spider.

Paper Plate Snail Alphabet Activity

Another fine motor activity is this paper plate snail craft that also is a creative alphabet activity.

Supplies Needed:

• paper plate
• construction paper, cardstock, or craft foam
• glue
• marker
• alphabet stickers
• fuzzy stick (pipe cleaner)
• googly eye

Instructions:

Draw a spiral/curly-cue line inside the paper plate. Be sure that the spacing allows for your alphabet stickers to fit. I decided to draw lines to make boxes for each letter – 26 total. You wouldn’t have to do this but I wanted to make sure the whole paper plate was filled. The foam stickers we used are also great for fine motor skills since the backing needs to be taken off.

Little Sister has been practicing a lot this year on making controlled glue dots/lines. To practice this even more, I brought out a green glitter glue and she decorated around the snail’s shell with glue dots.

After the entire alphabet is on the snail’s shell, it’s time to make the snail’s body. Lightly draw a body for the snail on to either cardstock, construction paper, or craft foam. Cut it out, then glue the paper plate shell on to. If you’d like, add a googly eye and antennae.

*We received some of the supplies free from CraftProjectIdeas.com: pom poms, fuzzy sticks, googly eyes, foam alphabet stickers. Head over to their website to see what other fun craft supplies they have or head over to Walmart to purchase them.

More Bug Themed Learning Activities for Preschoolers:

Ladybug Alphabet Matching Activity (with free printable| I Heart Crafty Things

Tape Resist Ant Tunnel Art| Pink Stripey Socks

Learning About Bees Activities and Free Printable  | A Little Pinch of Perfect

Build a Bug Creative Play Dough Challenge | Hand Made Kids Art

Stop back in 2 weeks for outdoor learning fun from the creative preschool crew!

Amanda

Artsy Momma

Amanda is an ‘artsy momma’ to 2 kids who love making crafts just as much as she does. Follow their creative journey over on the blog titled Artsy Momma. Besides crafts, they share fun food ideas, hands-on learning activities, mommy DIY, + lots more! If you love handprint art, head over to their Fun Handprint Art blog where you will find hundreds of their projects all made with little hands and feet.