Big Bugs
Searching for Worms
Kids like gooey things, especially gooey things deep in the soil. Go out in your yard and let your children know that you'll be looking for worms. Help your children to move the soil around very carefully using either their hands or small trowels. Explain how worms help the soil and allow plants to grow. If the kids find a worm that hasn't seen sunlight in a ...(read more)
Making a Bug Catcher Jar
Help your child make a bug-catching jar for your next walk or park outing. Begin by cleaning an empty plastic peanut butter jar. Soak the jar in water to remove the label. Then, cut a few holes in the lid with a knife or utility scissors. You can then let your child write his or her name on the outside with a permanent marker -- or ...(read more)
Ladybugs Rock!
On your next walk around the neighborhood, see if you can find a smooth, round rock. When you get home, have your child paint it red, then add black spots and maybe a face. Glue on googly eyes to complete the project. Very cute!(read more)
Edible Ladybug
Push half of a red grape onto a toothpick. Push a strawberry with the top cut off through the other end of the toothpick. Cut the back of the strawberry to make wings. Press chocolate chips into the strawberry to give the ladybug spots.(read more)
Caterpillar Melon
Slice a banana and scoop small balls of melon. Slide the fruit in any order onto a bamboo skewer. Add chocolate chips for eyes and feet.(read more)
Egg Carton Caterpillar
Cut out a row of 3 or 4 egg cups from an egg carton. The first cup will be the head; the remaining are the body. Have your child paint the body of the caterpillar with bright colors. Add pipe cleaner antennae and googly eyes to the first cup for a very cute art project and fun toy.(read more)
Ladybugs in the Garden
Spring is a great time of year to release ladybugs into your garden. Make this a fun activity to do with your kids. Purchase ladybugs at any home improvement store or garden center. Allow your child to decorate an empty jar with colorful stickers or paintings that represent spring. Make sure that you punch plenty of holes in the lid of the jar to give the ...(read more)
Crazy Centipede
Cut out circles of colored paper for your child and ask your child to stick them in a row on paper, with each circle overlapping slightly. Then draw eyes with a marker or glue on googly eyes from the craft store. For the finishing touches, add antennae and feet created from felt, paper, or pipe cleaners.(read more)
Advertisement
A Great Book Rhymes!
Kids are a funny bunch. They are often loath to change and anything new. But still, our little ones are open to so much -- and so much more than we more ossified parents are! Think of poetry: preschoolers happily read and repeat poems with ease and
Take Our Expert Quiz
how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?
Advertisement