Preschool Insect Activity – Fun Sensory Kit
This insect preschool activity is a great way for kids to get hands on while learning all about bugs! Themed play dough kits are a wonderful experience where sensory and imaginative play collide.
Read on to learn how to assemble a kit like this and to extend the insect learning with our printable worksheets!
Play Dough Kits Save the Day!
There are lots of benefits for putting together, playing with, and storing play dough kits! Not only do they provide an awesome hands on opportunity for learning, but by organizing them as kits, they are a great item you can grab when you need to keep the kiddo’s busy, you can take them along on vacation, and they also make fantastic gifts! They are my personal go-to birthday presents for kids aged 2-5. In fact, we made this exact preschool insect activity a birthday present for one of my kiddo’s friends!
Why Preschoolers and Toddlers Love This Insect Activity
Whether you are assembling this activity in a kit or on a tray, it is a great way to give the kids everything they need for creative play. Everything that you can pack inside keeps it all organized and a fun way to create different types of bug habitats as well. All the fun of learning about bugs without having to deal with actual bugs!
All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.
Why Preschoolers and Toddlers Love This Insect Activity
Whether you are assembling this activity in a kit or on a tray, it is a great way to give the kids everything they need for creative play. Everything that you can pack inside keeps it all organized and a fun way to create different types of bug habitats as well. All the fun of learning about bugs without having to deal with actual bugs!
All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.
More Preschool Insect Activities with this Printable Bundle of Worksheets
Whether you are doing an insect-study at school or home, or simply have a kiddo who LOVES all things bugs, these printable worksheets are perfect for you!
These hands-on playful learning pages feature all types of insects while giving your little one a strong foundation for early childhood education skills. Topics covered include tracing, comparing and differentiating, color recognition, counting letter writing, phonics, shape recognition, positional words, patterns, and so much more.
For more themed-worksheets for preschoolers, check out our full collection of printable resources!
Materials
- Homemade Play Dough
- Insect Figurines
- Rocks
- Fabric Flowers and Leaves
- Homemade Play Dough
- Insect Figurines
- Rocks
- Fabric Flowers and Leaves
- Wooden Slices
- Rolling Pin
- Small Storage Containers for Play Dough
- Large Storage Container with Lid
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or use food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this kit, I included two colors, green (grass) and brown (dirt).
Step 2
Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.
Step 3
Select loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include. I grabbed some fabric flowers, wooden slices and rocks from Dollar Tree!
Step 4
Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!
Step 1
Start by making homemade play dough. You can add glitter to it or use food coloring to make different colors based on your theme. In this kit, I included two colors, green (grass) and brown (dirt).
Step 2
Once the play dough is cooled down, add it to the storage containers.
Step 3
Select loose parts, figurines, and other items you want to include. I grabbed some fabric flowers, wooden slices, and rocks from Dollar Tree!
Step 4
Close it up and cover in gift wrap if giving as a present!
Educational Benefits of This Preschool Insect Activity
This kit is a great way to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to the many types of insects and their habitats. By having a collection of figurines, you can talk about the name of each insect and other facts. This is a great opportunity to reinforce language development. Be sure to also give kiddos time to explore independently – it is truly amazing to watch the imaginative play unfold as they build homes for their bugs!
Of course, playing with play dough is also great for sensory and fine motor skills. Squishing, squeezing, pulling, and molding play dough is fantastic for hand and finger muscle strength.
For another play dough kit activity idea, be sure to check out our ocean-themed play dough kit!
Educational Benefits of This Preschool Insect Activity
This kit is a great way to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to the many types of insects and their habitats. By having a collection of figurines, you can talk about the name of each insect and other facts. This is a great opportunity to reinforce language development.
Be sure to also give kiddos time to explore independently – it is truly amazing to watch the imaginative play unfold as they build homes for their bugs!
Of course, playing with play dough is also great for sensory and fine motor skills. Squishing, squeezing, pulling, and molding play dough is fantastic for hand and finger muscle strength.
For another play dough kit activity idea, be sure to check out our ocean-themed play dough kit!
More Ways to Explore Insects
Whether you are doing an insect-study or know an insect-lover, here are some ways to extend the play and learning!
Butterfly Growing Kit
A pop up and reusable habitat perfect for butterfly viewing, includes voucher for receiving caterpillars.
Explorer Kit
This kit is perfect for the kiddo who wants to catch some bugs! Includes binocular, flashlight, critter case, and so much more!
Real Bug Dig Kit
This diggable kit includes 3 real bugs. The perfectly preserved specimens include a spider, fortune beetle, and scorpion.
Giant Ant Farm
This kit allows kids to observe live ants as they dig tunnels, build bridges, move mountains, and so much more!
What’s Next?
Counting to 5 – Hands-On Number Recognition Activity
Unlock the fun of counting to 5 with our engaging and budget friendly number recognition and counting activity!
Color Mixing for Kids – Hands on Learning
Discover the magic of color mixing for kids using Oobleck. This is a great hands on way to discover primary and secondary colors!
Color Matching Activities for Preschoolers
Explore these engaging color matching activities for preschoolers that use pom poms and household materials like bottle caps and paper tubes!