literacy
AGES 2-4
EXPLORE WITH US
INSECTS
A GUIDE FROM PLAYFUL LEARNING
To access links, go here
books to
explore
The Big Book of Bugs
National Geographic Little
Kids First Big Book of Bugs
Bugs, Bees, and Other
Buzzy Creatures
The Beetle Book
Ultimate Bugopedia
Practice phonics and beginning
letter sounds with L is for Ladybug,
Backyard Bug Jar, and Insect
Letter Match
Practice letter formation and
handwriting development with
our Insect Letter Mats
AGES 5-8
Explore Short u Word Families
by sorting word bugs onto
the correct leaf
LISTEN TO
Research your favorite insect on
National Geographic Kids and
practical
STORIES ONLINE then share 5 interesting facts life + fine
Please Please the Bees
motor
Practice cutting with scissors
The Very Hungry and/or use a rolling pin and
Caterpillar cookie cutters with our
Insect Play Mat
Evelyn the Adventurous
Entomologist Take our Insect Exploration guide
www.playfullearning.net
with you on your next outdoor
Pedro Goes Buggy adventure and discuss ways to
be respectful to the insects
Do You Like Bugs? that you find
 numeracy hands-on science
AGES 2-4 projects AGES 2-4

Match insect cards directly on top
of our Insect Guide to practice
one-to-one correspondence
Use stickers or a black marker to
add dots to these ladybugs
and then Count the Spots
AGES 5-8
Count the bugs and share oral
story problems to determine
How Many Insects?
Learn about lines of symmetry
and symmetry in nature with
Butterfly Symmetry and
Complete the Insect
Make dirt inspired play dough
for your all of your insect
explorations
Use whatever art materials
you have on hand to create a
beautiful Dragonfly Collage
Invent an insect out of play
dough, clay, wire, or natural
materials. Draw and label
the parts of your newly
invented insect
Learn the four stages in the life
cycle of a butterfly by matching
these cut-outs to our
Matching Cards
Set up a sensory bin with our
Is it an Insect Cut-Outs and
help children decide whether
or not the image is an insect
AGES 5-8
Learn the five physical
characteristics of insects
with Is it an Insect?
Identify, sequence, and label
the stages in the Life Cycle
of a Butterfly

Build scientific vocabulary and

practice writing skills by labeling
outdoor the parts of different insects

explorations

www.playfullearning.net
Take explorers outside for an Insect Hunt. Don’t forget to bring along a clipboard, a
magnifying glass and our beautiful Insect Guide.

While you’re on your insect hunt, take some time to investigate insects up close. If you
can’t find any ladybugs to observe, you can observe any type of insect!