Spring is Almost Here! Celebrate with Fun Insect Activities

Most kids seem to go through a phase when they are interested in insects, or at least a particular kind of bug. Insects are such an important part of our natural world, it’s important to encourage an interest in them and help kids who might not love bugs get over the ick factor.

Uno Zwei Tutu has a great collection of Montessori-inspired insect activities you can do with your kids.

There’s picture matching, playing with bugs in brown playdough, ladybug art, counting, cutting and more. All the printables are included for the projects that need it.

These insect trays and baskets would be a lot of fun for little ones learning about insects, but don’t forget to get out in the yard, dig in some dirt, and make some insect discoveries of your own.

[Photo via Uno Zwei Tutu.]

Check out these insect activity kits and these Insect bug keepers

A few years ago I shared some pumpkin themed sensory activities for kids, but I wanted to get a little more general and do some fall sensory ideas that can take you from Halloween al the way to Thanksgiving.

Playdough is a classic sensory activity, especially if kids can help make it, too. These playdough recipes from The Montessori Twin Mama are fall colored and scented with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice (I honestly don’t know what the difference is!). Or try this fun maple playdough from Happy Toddler Playtime.

Throw together some cookie cutters, googly eyes and other fun things to make an easy fall playdough tray (similar to what I did on this Halloween playdough activity).

How about some fall themed slime? Natural Beach Living gave a basic slime recipe a fall twist with food coloring and glitter. Leaf shaped sequins make it even more fun. Little Bins for Little Hands also has a cinnamon slime, which is great for fall but can also carry you all the way through Christmas.

Raising Wild Things Sensory has some great easy to make fall themed sensory bottles, which you can add fall things to, or pompoms or whatever kind of I spy items you might want to include. They also have a fun apple moon sand sensory bin that has me wondering if you could add something scented to moon sand (I always hated the smell!).

And of course there are all kinds of sensory bins you can make for fall. I like this apple picking one from Happy Toddler Playtime that uses fake leaves and little apple toys. It has the added challenge of trying to pick the apples up through a mesh of branches — kind of like a low-tech game of Operation!

You can also do a short-lived sensory bin with real leaves, or use any kind of beans, brown rice, oats or lentils to make your base. Some more great ideas can be found at Fab Everyday. Their post includes some specific Halloween and Thanksgiving themed sensory bins, too.

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