Hobbies And Interests
Nature Walk and Bug Hunt
Take the kids on a nature walk to look for bugs. Bring along magnifying glasses and a bug identification guide. If they find a bug, look it up with them and encourage the kids to describe the particular spot where they found it, what is there, and what might have attracted the bugs to that spot. Share a bit of bug trivia as they discover new specimens during the nature walk and bug hunt. Seeing bugs in their natural settings will help students understand the importance and role of bugs in the world.
Pin the Spots on the Ladybug
Here's a twist on the classic game "pin the tail on the donkey." Draw a large ladybug on paper or poster board. Cut out black spots. Use tape or pins to attach the spots to the ladybug. Mark an empty spot or two on the ladybug for the children to aim their bug spots. Have each child walk forward to the board while blindfolded and stick the spot on where he or she thinks the empty spot is located. The child who sticks the spot closest to the empty spot on the ladybug wins the game.
Build a Bug
For this game, gather a variety of craft supplies such as empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls, and small boxes or cans for the bug bodies. Use a varied supply of leaves, twigs, flowers, paper, fabric scraps, nuts and bolts, paint and markers for decorating the bugs. Let the kids build a bug from their own imagination using the craft supplies. After they are finished making them, discuss their creations in a group. Encourage them to explain what kind of food their bug eats, where they live, how they behave and what special abilities they have.
Bug Memory
Print and cut out two matching pictures of various bugs. Make a whole set, with 20 to 40 pairs of different matching bug pictures. Label each picture with the name of the bug. To make them last longer, mount them on cardboard, construction paper or poster board using white craft glue. Once all the pairs of cards are made, turn them picture side down on a table and mix them up. Arrange them in equal rows. Have the children take turns turning two cards over to try and find matching pairs. If they do not match, face the pictures down again in the same spot and let the next child take a turn. When a child finds two matching bugs, he or she gets the cards. When all the pairs have been found, the child with the most cards is the winner.