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Backyard Summer Camp

Backyard Summer Camp

Have the best summer ever in your own backyard!

Home » Learn » 24 Bug Activities and Kids’ Craft Ideas

24 Bug Activities and Kids’ Craft Ideas

Learn about bugs and insects with these easy and fun hands-on bug activities and craft ideas for kids of all ages!

Collage of bug activities and kids craft ideas including spoon bugs, a golf ball ladybug, beaded caterpillar, paper plate bumble bee, and a butterfly playdough mat.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more.

Does your child have a favorite bug? Summer is a great time to learn about the insects and bugs that live in your own backyard!

We’ve rounded up two dozen hands-on activities that can be done indoors or outside. They include simple crafts supplies and found materials to craft and learn about ladybugs, butterflies, bees, and more.

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Swat the bug learning activity

A Dab of Glue Will Do has a set of printable letter and number cards for a swat the bug learning activity. Get kids moving and practicing the alphabet, counting, and more!

Ladybug painted rocks

Paint rocks to look like ladybugs with this classic tutorial from The Flying Couponer. Kids can make these in any size with rocks from your backyard, or a craft or hardware store.

Ladybug painted rocks from The Flying Couponer.
Photo courtesy The Flying Couponer

More bug rock ideas

After your kids have made a painted ladybug rock, try these other creative bug rock painting ideas from Rock Painting Guide.

Cork honeybee

Repurposed wine corks are the base for this adorable cork honeybee from Plate in 28. This is a great way to introduce pollinators and talk about where foods like honey come from.

Cork honeybees from Plate in 28.
Photo courtesy Plate in 28

Cardboard tube bumble bee

Save your toilet paper tubes to make a cardboard tube bumble bee at In The Playroom. The kid-drawn smiling face on this little bug is adorable!

Ladybug paper bag puppet

Follow the detailed steps at Simple Everyday Mom to craft and ladybug paper bag puppet with your kids. This smiling and friendly critter is a great activity to do before pretend play.

Ladybug paper bag puppet from Simple Everyday Mom.
Photo courtesy Simple Everyday Mom

Recycled litterbugs

Save items from your recycling bin for this Earth-friendly activity from 3 Boys and a Dog. Set up an open-ended craft activity to turn all kinds of items, like egg cartons and newspapers, into litterbugs!

Homemade creepy bug soap

Do your kids like creepy crawly bugs? Then make a bar of bug soap like Kids Activities Blog! Pick up a package of small plastic bugs from the dollar store for a project the kids will use all summer.

Creepy bug soap from Kids Activities Blog.
Photo courtesy Kids Activities Blog

DIY bug jar

Spend a day doing backyard bug identification using your own DIY bug jar. Hess Unacademy has a great introduction for setting up a safe bug jar with everything a bug needs.

Plastic spoon bugs

Make a few little bugs in their natural habitat – trees and bushes! Crafts by Amanda has a creative way to make plastic spoon bugs that look like they’re sitting on a plant leaf.

Plastic spoon bugs from Crafts by Amanda.
Photo courtesy Crafts by Amanda

Cupcake liner caterpillar

Shimmering Strings has a detailed tutorial on how to make a cupcake liner caterpillar. Make this bug as long as your kids like using colorful paper cupcake liners and craft paper.

Golf ball ladybug

Do you have some old golf balls lying around like Diane from Turning the Clock Back? Pain them to look like a golf ball ladybug for your garden.

Golf ball ladybug from Turning the Clock Back.
Photo courtesy Turning the Clock Back

Paper plate bugs

Download this ebook full of 13 paper plate bug crafts from In The Bag Kids Crafts. It’s full of detailed instructions and interesting facts about each bug included.

Bead caterpillar

How cute is this bead caterpillar from Make and Takes! They’re made with pony beads, you can make a whole bunch in your kids’ favorite colors.

Bead caterpillar from Make and Takes.
Photo courtesy Make and Takes

Paper tube ladybug

Save a few toilet paper or paper towel tubes to turn them into a ladybug like Little Bins for Little Hands. Make this easy art project any time!

Ladybug corner bookmarks

Encourage summer reading by making bookmarks with your kids! Artsy Craftsy Mom shares a fun idea for making ladybug corner bookmarks using paper.

Ladybug corner bookmarks from Artsy Craftsy Mom.
Photo courtesy Artsy Craftsy Mom

Ladybug word search

Older kids will enjoy a quiet moment solving this ladybug word search from Vanah Lynn Designs. It includes 15 words all about the biology of ladybugs.

Bumble bee paper plate

All you need to make a bumble bee paper plate craft are a few basic craft supplies and this cute tutorial from Two Kids and a Coupon.

Bumble bee paper plate craft from Two Kids and a Coupon.
Photo courtesy Two Kids and a Coupon

Insect sensory bin

A sensory bin is a fun way for toddlers to explore different materials. Taming Little Monsters made their insect sensory bin to include plastic bugs from the dollar store in a unique environment.

Tissue paper butterflies

Grab a template from Little Bins For Little Hands to make tissue paper butterflies. Kids will love making these in different colors to hand in the window on a sunny day!

Tissue paper butterflies from Little Bins For Little Hands.
Photo courtesy Little Bins For Little Hands

Nature Picture Worksheets

Nature Inspired Learning has a series of finish the picture worksheets that include a variety of natural elements, including a butterfly, beetle, and bee. Set up an art station and encourage kids to complete the illustrations.

Butterfly playdough mat

Grab this printable playdough mat from Mommy Made That for a hands-on way to teach kids about the life cycle of a butterfly. Includes tips for each stage of growth too!

Butterfly playdough mat from Mommy Made That.
Photo courtesy Mommy Made That

Insect scavenger hunt

Print an insect scavenger hunt from The Soccer Mom Blog and look for bugs in the park or your own backyard.

Walnut shell bumble bee

Make a cute nature craft by painting a walnut shell bumble bee, like Easy Crafts for Kids. This would be fun to do with a seashell too.

Include a variety of bug activities to get kids excited about learning about bugs! Research details about a few species that live in your area and incorporate those into your kids’ crafts for a fun way to personalize these ideas.

Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!

Cover page of the DIY summer camp planner with a tent and camping icons in a 3-ring binder.

Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.

Learn More

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

  • 24 Educational Farm Activities for Preschoolers
  • Beginner Bird Watching with Kids
  • DIY Cardboard Box Fort Ideas for Your Kids
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About Keri

Keri is the creator of Backyard Summer Camp as well as her family lifestyle blog, One Mama's Daily Drama. She lives in Texas with her family, where she spent her kids' childhood summers planning fun activities to keep them entertained.

Follow @CampBackyard on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for inspiration to plan your own DIY summer camp with your family.

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