Simple Science and STEM for Every Day

Bug Filled Tuesday Throw it Together Trays & Sensory Bin

Buggy Sensory Play

Bug Sensory Play & Activity

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Hands On Early Learning Activities for Bugs

Hands on play activities and a fun sensory bin are a great way to learn about bugs! I put together some easy activities to use our bus for sensory play and early learning activities. Make learning fun through play! Our grande finale was this cool bug sensory bin with a special moon sand I found online!

Bug Sensory Bin Play

bug moon sand sensory bin

Egg Carton Lady Bugs and Counting Book Activity

Our first tray was the ladybug book with our homemade egg carton ladybugs (project started on Friday!) He worked hard painting them and then moved to painting a piece of paper while I finished the nook and crannies. He didn’t have much interest in making spots with the marker but did make a few marks. We spent a good amount of time with this between reading the pages counting the bugs on the pages, flying the homemade bugs away and recounting the egg carton ladybugs  for each page. Sometimes he does just fine doing one to one without my help and other times, he needs my finger to guide him.

bug egg carton activity

Bug Matching Activity & Book

This was a pretty quick bug sort and match tray. He took the bugs out and paired them with the right mate. Initially it was difficult to show him they would match even after showing him a pair from the bowl, but he eventually got it. We were able to talk about bugs a bit and what pairs are. I try to include trays that help with conversation skills too. He isn’t naturally curious so he does not ask many questions like what or why so I try to encourage it when I can. Then we counted how many bug pairs we had matched. Nothing fancy but fun!

bug matching activity

Bug Counting Activity Tray

I cut out paper leaves, numbered them 1-10, and randomly stacked them. He was quick to pick up on the activity since he has done similar activities!  He simply chose a leaf, recognized the number and picked the corresponding amount of bugs to put on it. Since the leaves were out-of-order, I extended the activity by having him put the leaves in order.

bugs counting activity with leaves

Bug Sensory Play Bin

Hip Hip Hooray for an awesome, easy sensory bin. Red Moon Sand by Waba Fun, bug dough stampers from Lakeshore Learning (ebay find) and a lone butterfly cookie cutter. We ended up adding a chopstick, a small wooden spoon, rolling-pin, and tiny container. This stuff is really cool and very moldable. We played a bit together but really he was ready to do a little exploring on his own. This is a texture he clearly enjoys.

bug moon sand sensory bin play

 There are lots of easy and fun activities you can do at home with a little imagination. Kids love bugs too! For more fun buggy ideas and Spring themed learning and play activities check out my Spring Activities for Kids page!
  
I am also an Amazon Affiliate, you will find links below to some of the fun products we used for these activities. I receive a small compensation for any purchases made, but you may enjoy all our activities for free! Enjoy!
 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alice (@mumsmakelists)

    Bugs are always a big hit here!

    I would love for you to link up this – and your other sensory play posts – at the Sensory Play link up on Empty Your Archive, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x

  4. littlebins

    They have been a life saver for us! Hope you will follow along. I have a fun one plan for the morning. I will get a picture up on facebook!

  6. Carisa

    Hi! I just love your bug ideas! Thanks for linking up to Tot School Gathering Place, we are happy to have you! If you link up in the future could you add a link back to Tot School? Maybe you did above and I just missed it, if that’s the case just ignore this! 😉

  7. littlebins

    All set. Thank you for letting me know I missed it this week. I believe I did it correctly on the other weeks! Let me know if the link is correct. Still a bit new to it all but have made some great connections that have really inspired us. I also added you to my side bar!

  8. littlebins

    I am so excited! Thank you so much! We had fun and actually did another awesome bug bin and bug bath today I will write up so I hope you will check that out too. I will definitely be back and added you to my side bar. I have something for tomorrow ready to go.

  10. littlebins

    Wow I am thrilled and honored. You made my day! I am preparing a post for 10 simple ways to play with a sensory bin filled with rice and things around the house. I shared 2 photos on facebook but will eventually have one large write up. Can’t wait to check out your site!

  12. littlebins

    So excited! Thank you so much for featuring it. The bins all look like so much fun!