Free Insect Printables for Preschoolers

Bugs! Ewe! Most preschoolers and kindergarteners are fascinated with bugs even if they gross them out. Capitalize on this fascination with these free insect activities for preschoolers.

They will add lots of creepy, crawly fun to your classroom or home. With so many free insect printables to choose from, you may just find yourself hopping for joy when you share these fun activities with your preschoolers!

In order to help you with your insect theme, I have consolidated some of my favorite FREE insect printables for preschoolers in this post. Teaching bugs CAN be fun. Let me show you how!

free insect printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners | bug printables |
Buzz in for this huge collection of fun, hands-on FREE insect printables for preschoolers!

What’s all the Buzzzzz about? Why have an entire theme dedicated to insect activities for preschoolers?

It may take putting our own fears or aversions aside, but there are many benefits to teaching our preschoolers about bugs!

Like it or not, bugs kind of dominate the earth (in sheer numbers, that is). There are a whopping 5.5 million species of bugs! I bet that is a fun fact that you didn’t know that you didn’t want to know?! Am I right?

You can do insect-themed activities anytime of the year, but Springtime seems to bring out a lot of the little critters and offers plenty of opportunities for bug observations in the real world.

I have gathered up so many FREE bug-themed learning activities, that it might just become your new favorite preschool theme. Okay, maybe not your favorite, but trust me on this one…..it will be fun!

Are you on the look-out for some super fun Insect Literacy and Math Centers? I have bundled together twelve different hands-on learning centers that cover skills from number sense, geometry, measurement, to letter formation, phonemic awareness, phonics, and so much more!

FAQ About How to Teach Insects to Preschoolers

What are insects for 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.

How do you introduce insect activities to preschoolers?

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!

When should I teach an insect theme in preschool?

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.

Insect Activities For Preschoolers

It’s that time of year again… time for a bug theme at preschool. These bug activities include bug crafts, bug sensory play, even bug-themed gross motor activities! The other thing they all include is fun.

I is For Insect

I is for insect. A is for ant. B is for bumblebee. You get the idea. There are sooo many learning applications and skills that can be taught with an insect theme! The science concepts are endless, including steam concepts, biology, life cycles, habitats, and more.

Insect Preschool Printables

We love an insect theme so much that we created two different insect printables to go with!

Our insect emergent readers are great for building literacy connections and are lots of fun to color! Plus, our insect activity pack has loads of games and printables to practice math and literacy while incorporating an insect theme!

We can’t forget the good that these “pests” bring to our world.

Sharing positive stories and how bugs are also helpers can give your preschoolers more of an appreciation for these creatures. Concepts like pollination, decomposition, and the food chain are important parts of learning about the world around us.

List Of Insects For Preschool

You can do insect-themed activities anytime of the year, but spring time seems to bring out a lot of the little critters and offers plenty of opportunities for bug observations in the real world. It’s a time where we can all spend more time exploring outdoors, which includes bugs!

There are some common insects that might be in your area, and are commonly found in preschool bug themes:

  • Caterpillars
  • Butterflies
  • Ladybugs
  • Dragonflies
  • Houseflies
  • Bees
  • Ants
  • Praying Mantises
  • Beetles
  • Grasshoppers
  • Cockroaches
  • Centipedes

These bugs can be found in our free insect matching cards. This insect activity not only helps preschoolers refine their visual discrimination and sorting skills, but it also offers super fun and interesting facts about everyday insects.

The matching cards can be used anywhere, but taking them outside for a bug hunt is an absolute must! The cards also make for an engaging busy bag.

Books About Insects For Preschool

Since you might want to keep your distance from certain real-life insects, using high-quality books with vivd photographs is a great way to see bugs up close and personal. We have picked some of your favorite preschool insect books, full of facts, photos, and buggy fun!

free insect printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners | free insect lesson plans for preschool |
Everything you need for a bug theme for preschool can be found in these awesome activities! And the best part? They are FREE!

Free Insect Printables

Creepy crawlies don’t have to be all that creepy! There are so many fun and adorable insect activities for preschoolers. They are hands-on while teaching important academic skills as well as bug facts.

Every preschool teacher or parent needs loads of easy hands-on activities that take almost no prep time. Look no further! You can buzzzz right in and explore my fantastic collection of free insect printables and learning activities!

Free Insect Printables

Insect Toys for Preschool

Hands-on play is so important in preschool and these insect themed science toys are loads of fun and full of learning potential. Check out some of our favorite insect toys for preschool and add them to your theme to make learning come to life.

Printable Insect Activities for Preschool

Don’t forget to grab these super engaging Insect Literacy and Math Centers! With twelve different hands-on learning centers that cover skills from number sense, geometry, measurement, to letter formation, phonemic awareness, phonics, and so much more!