Bugs! Ewe! Most preschoolers and kindergarteners are fascinated with bugs even if they gross them out. Capitalize on this fascination by doing an insect theme in your classroom. Here are some of the best free insect theme activities for preschoolers.
This post offers only free insect printables, so be sure to grab them all!
20+ Free Insect Theme Activities for Preschoolers
It’s that time of year again… time for bug theme at preschool. These bug activities include bug crafts, bug sensory play, even bug theme gross motor activities! The other thing they all include is fun. Don’t miss the book list linked at the end of the post. And if you want a whole bug thematic unit we have one you will LOVE, or grab our spring pack here.
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Insect Emergent Readers$3.00 -
Insect Preschool Centers$10.00 -
Insects Activity Pack$5.00 -
Spring Activity Pack$5.00 -
Spring Emergent Readers$3.00 -
Spring Preschool Centers$10.00
FAQ About How to Teach Insects ti Preschoolers
Insects are characterized by three-part bodies, usually two pairs of wings, and three pairs of legs, and two antennae. Some examples of insects are bees, mosquitoes, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. Insects are members of a group animal called the arthropods. This group also includes spiders and lobsters.
Some preschoolers (and adults) have a little natural fear of insects. When introducing preschoolers to insects, it’s especially important to share positive experiences in the learning activities you choose.
Preschoolers love to hear interesting facts about well-known insects, too. Try using these insect fact cards during circle time. Choose high quality picture books and include insect alphabet activities, insect math activities, and lots of insect themed art and sensory activities too!
An insect theme is fun to explore in the beginning of spring and throughout the season. This is when new growth is sprouting, the weather is warming, and insects are coming out of hibernation.
A preschool bug theme can also be fun well into summer when you can spot moths and lightning bugs, or when you turn over a rock to find lots of creepy crawlies in the mud underneath. I also love to teach my preschoolers about insects around Halloween.
You Might Also Like These Preschool Activities
Every preschool teacher or parent needs loads of easy hands-on activities that take almost no prep time. Especially process art activities for your preschool insect theme. Here are some of our favorites.
Free Printables for a Preschool Insect Theme
Creepy crawlies don’t have to be all that creepy! These insect activities are fun for preschoolers. They are hands-on while teaching important academic skills as well as bug facts.
For your convenience, all these printables have been arranged into easy categories, including math and literacy insect activities.
Free Insect Theme Math Printables for Preschoolers
Enjoy the Spring season–with an academic twist–with this bug-themed addition game for preschoolers. This game is basic enough for preschoolers and perfect for reinforcing addition concepts in kindergarten!
Teach teen numbers to preschoolers with this free butterfly life cycle counting printable. These cards are also fantastic for strengthening fine motor skills.
Make learning fun with this catch-a-bug math activity and free printable. The printable includes numbers 1-20, several different bug jars, a 10-frames chart, and was designed so you can adapt it to suit your child’s needs.
This butterfly catching roll and count simple math activity is perfect for preschoolers. Children will be able to explore many parts of each number that is rolled, such as recognizing, writing and counting.
These spider counting cards are perfect for preschoolers and even students up through first grade. They help children practice number recognition, counting, sequencing and so much more.
Counting is a skill that’s developed over time. Use this free counting ants math game to make it fun and engaging for your preschoolers!
This insect counting numbers math activity uses an adorable bug theme printable to help preschoolers and kindergarteners learn different ways to represent the numbers from 0 through 10. There is also a printable ten frame in the set so kids can practice building the numbers in the ten frame as well.
These free printable bug counting puzzles are the perfect math activity for preschoolers. They take less than five minutes to prepare, and if you have a child who is ready for more of a challenge, you can mix two or three puzzles together and have her sort them as she puts them together.
Free Insect Theme Literacy Printables for Preschoolers
Make learning fun, and a little more adorable, with these free ladybug theme cards. They teach both visual discrimination and early literacy skills!
This uppercase bumble bee alphabet match printable is a great way to practice letter recognition. This activity includes 26 bumble bees, and each bumble bee has matching uppercase letters on each wing.
This caterpillar letter sounds matching activity is a hands-on way for kids to learn letters and sounds. It’s easily adaptable to fit the needs and learning levels of each of your preschoolers.
The bright spring colors and the fun flower/bee theme make this alphabet game great for your spring and summer literacy centers! Kids are going to have a blast matching uppercase and lowercase letters in this free printable; children who have a good grasp on the alphabet (uppercase and lowercase) can use these cards to practice ABC order.
These butterfly alphabet puzzles are perfect to use as a busy bag at home or a learning center in a classroom setting to practice uppercase and lowercase letter recognition. It can also be adapted for younger learners who are not quite ready to independently match uppercase letters to lowercase letters.
Practice initial sounds and letters with these free, low prep firefly initial sound clip cards. You can also make this activity self-correcting and completely independent.
If your child needs some practice matching uppercase and lowercase letters, this pretty spring butterflies alphabet match game will help! You can use this game several ways to help each learner have a custom experience.
Teach preschoolers how to match uppercase and lowercase letters with this free ladybug printable. This download included a blank version of the ladybug alphabet match printable so that you can customize the activity any way you choose.
Free Insect Theme Pre-Writing Printables for Preschoolers
These insect-themed pre-writing mats teach preschoolers shape formation instead of basic pen strokes. You can add these mats to your writing center, your science center, or your math center…or all three!
Preschoolers and kindergartners will practice pencil control with this fun line tracing activity. There are both wavy and straight lines to give your preschoolers practice with different line shapes.
Pre-writing practice is important for developing those skills that are needed for formal writing, Use this bees and bugs free printable in your learning to add excitement and have fun with pre-writing practice!
Sharpen your preschoolers’ pre-writing skills with this butterfly match-and-trace with free printable. This ABC mat was created to encourage the matching of letters & tracing process.
Help preschoolers with their writing practice with these free insect letter tracing cards. The open letter is very useful for kids who are still working on fine motor control, because the wide space gives them the best chance of success.
Other Free Insect Theme Printables for Preschoolers
These insect matching cards not only help preschoolers refine their visual discrimination and sorting skills, but they also offer super fun and interesting facts about everyday insects. The cards also make for an engaging busy bag!
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
