Bugs

TOTE Playgroup

Bug Fun

Tiny bugs are fascinating for your children. It is a special feeling to know you are bigger than something else. They look different and move differently. Exploring our world brings knowledge and introduces basic science principles to children.

Fun Activities to Do at Home

playdough bugs

Make bugs out of playdough. Make a long snake and have your child push dents in it with one finger, then call it a caterpillar. Make three balls of playdough and line them up. Add sticks, toothpicks, pebbles, and other small things for legs, eyes, and you have a bug. Works on fine motor skills with finger isolation, pushing and rolling. Works on creativity and communication by adding parts and labeling them, then naming the item.

bug hunt

Crawl around in your yard looking for bugs. Use a magnifying glass if you have one for closer inspection. Watch them walk and see how they move. Watch what happens if you put something in their way while they walk. Works on visual perception by spotting bugs in yards. Works on cognition by introducing children to science concepts such as observation and prediction. Works on communication by talking about the color, size, number of legs

buggy snack

Make snack with your child. “Ants on a log” is made by putting cream cheese or peanut butter in the center of celery and adding raisins across the top. Caterpillars can be made by lining up sliced grapes. Ladybugs can be made by slicing grape tomatoes in half and adding a blueberry for a head. Many more ideas at https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/bug-theme-healthy-snacks-kids.html

Works on fine motor placing items together. Works on receptive communication by following directions. Encourages healthy eating.

Butterfly painting

Make a butterfly using paint and paper. Let your child squeeze or pour a small amount of paint on a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half and pat, pat, pat the sides together. Open up and look at your butterfly. Add antenna and eyes once it has dried. Works on fine and gross motor squeezing or pouring paint and folding. Works on social imitation and pretend play/creativity which is important for vocabulary building.

make washable & edible paint

If you don't have paint for the butterfly, you can make safe finger paint. Use 2 cup cold water to ½ cup corn starch and 1 tsp salt. Put it in a pot and stir. Your child can do this step. Next put it on the stove and bring it to a boil while stirring constantly. It should thicken to a finger paint consistency. Pour into small bowls and add several drops of food color to each bowl and stir. Let it cool and paint away. Store in refrigerator.