Learn about bugs and insects with these easy and fun hands-on bug activities and craft ideas for kids of all ages!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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!
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!
Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.
