When it comes to nature, it’s no secret that kids love to dig in and get dirty. Some kids even go so far as to bring bits of nature home with them — unfortunately it’s usually the creepy, crawly bits. If you have fledgling entomologists on your hands — and you’re not big on inviting a horde of insects into your house — crafts are a fun and easy way to entertain them without having to call pest control.
Here is an extensive list of awesome craft tutorials paired with some fun facts to encourage your child’s creativity and increase their knowledge.
Ant Crafts & Facts
- Ant Tablecloth Clips from Parents.com
- “Ant Farm” Fine Motor Craft from the Inspired Treehouse
- Ant Finger Puppets from Crack of Dawn Crafts
Did you know?
- Ants lived alongside the dinosaurs.
- Ants have colonized every landmass except Antarctica.
- The world’s most painful insect sting comes from the South American Bullet Ant.
Ladybug Crafts & Facts
- Ladybug Sun Catcher from Rainy Day Mum
- Paper Loop Ladybug from Free Kids Crafts
- Swirling Twirling Ladybugs from Crafts by Amanda
Did You Know?
- A ladybug’s bright colors warn predators to stay away.
- Ladybugs are actually beetles!
- An adult ladybug can eat over 50 aphids a day.
Butterfly Crafts & Facts
- Coffee Filter Butterflies from Red Ted Art
- Pressed Leaf Butterflies from Martha Stewart
- Butterfly Mobile from Red Ted Art
Did You Know?
- Butterflies taste with their feet.
- The Queen Alexandra’s birdwing butterfly has a wingspan of 12 inches!
- The fastest butterflies can fly up to 30 miles per hour.
Grasshopper Crafts & Facts
- Clothespin Grasshopper from Kiwi Crate
- Toilet Paper Grasshopper from Easy Child Crafts
- “Jumping” Grasshopper Craft from Motherhood on a Dime
Did You Know?
- Grasshoppers have ears on their bellies.
- Male grasshoppers sing by rubbing their back legs against their wings.
- Grasshoppers are commonly eaten in African, Central and South American countries.
Dragonfly Crafts & Facts
- Egg Carton Dragonfly from Crafty Morning
- Twig Dragonflies from Twig & Toadstool
- String & Sand Dragonfly from ZingZing Tree
Did You Know?
- Adult dragonflies only eat prey they catch while flying.
- Dragonflies can move each of their four wings independently.
- A dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in a single day.
Earthworm Crafts & Facts
- Sock Worms from Crayola
- Earth Worm Puppet from Craft Bits
- Pipe Cleaner and Bead Inchworm from Craftulate
Did You Know?
- Worms have no eyes.
- Worms breathe through their skin.
- The average length South African earthworms is 6 feet!
Bee Crafts & Facts
- Bubble Wrap Bee Hive from Kiwi Crate
- Pool Noodle Bees from And Next Comes L
- Buzzing Bee Balloon from Skip to my Lou
Did You Know?
- All worker bees are female.
- Honey Bees are the only insect that produces food eaten by man.
- Bees can recognize human faces.
Even if bugs give you the heebie-jeebies, these adorable crafts will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. And really, anything that encourages love of art and science in children is worth the extra time.
Happy crafting!
Liz Greene is a writer and former preschool teacher from Boise, Idaho. She’s a lover of all things geek and is happiest when cuddling with her dogs and catching up on the latest Marvel movies. You can follow her on Twitter @LizVGreene
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