Insects are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth with thousands of known species. They play an essential role in our ecosystem, helping to pollinate plants and making the world a colorful place. Here are five reading and learning activities that explore butterflies, bees, and other bugs.
1. Read Bugs in the Garden
Bugs in the garden can be different colors. What colors do you see?
- Download Bugs in the Garden
Discuss the book: What is the boy doing in this story? Name some of the kinds of bugs he sees.
2. Watch A Closer Look
Watch the video A Closer Look to see what you can learn when you look closely.
Discuss the video: What sound does the spot make? What does the spot turn out to be? Why does a bee have hair?
You can extend the fun by observing a bug closely outside. You could also create your own video to show how you look closely at something.
3. Write about bugs
Think about the kinds of bugs you saw in the book and video. Write what you know about them. Use these sentence frames:
Many bugs are found in a _____.
They are fun to watch because _____.
You can extend the activity by making up a story about one of the bugs.
More to read!
For more reading about a different kind of bug, download Jan Spins a Web.
4. Learn about bugs and spiders
- Look in nonfiction books or online with an adult to find information about bugs and spiders. Look at pictures.
- How are they alike? How are they different?
- Write or tell what you learned about bugs and spiders.
You can extend the activity by drawing a bug you researched and label its parts
5. Make a butterfly
- Pick out three colors of construction paper. Choose the one you like most and cut out two butterfly wings.
- Use the other colors to glue spots or stripes to the wings.
- Use black construction paper to cut out a butterfly’s body and antennae.
- Glue the wings to the body.
You can extend the activity by making more bugs and acting out a story with them.
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Find more language arts activities for kindergarten.
This blog, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025.
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