by Sarah Punkoney, MAT
Are you planning a fun bug unit for your preschoolers? We’ve picked the best 20+ bug games for preschoolers that are fantastic ways for young children to learn and practice literacy and math skills in fun, hands-on ways.
Bug Themed Activities for Preschoolers
I’ll be real here, I definitely have a love-hate relationship with insects.
I recognize their value in our ecosystem and appreciate the hard work that they do to make sure we are not ridden with deceased animals (ew right, I went there). However, you know the song, “Shoo fly, don’t bother me?” That is so me… because who wants insects flying around and messing up my summer picnic or stinging my kiddos? I know you get me!
Believe it or not, I know this will come as a shock, but I actually look forward to teaching an insect theme with my preschoolers!
That’s because insects have so many unique traits and “superpowers” that are unique to their species. We love to use bug catchers and watch how they move, examine their long legs or wings, and I’ve even been known to set up an ant farm! It’s true! Ant farms are insanely cool because they are such clever bugs!
All this to say, don’t write off an insect preschool theme because there are tons of fun activities! Preschoolers love playing games so these bug games for toddlers and preschoolers are sure to be a blast!
- Insect Preschool Centers
$9.00
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- Insect Emergent Readers
$3.00
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FAQs about Teaching Preschoolers about Bugs
How do you teach a preschooler about bugs?
There are many ways to teach preschoolers about bugs. One of the best ways is to get outside in nature and look at bugs. But if you can’t do that you can read lots of great books, and incorporate bug-themed activities for preschoolers such as small world play with insect toys, bug sensory bins, bug worksheets, and games.
What should I include in my insect lesson plans for preschoolers?
Learning facts about bugs is always so interesting! It’s so fun to incorporate math, science, and literacy into thematic units. Here are six more printable activities for a preschool insect theme. The best part about planning a preschool insect theme is it’s so easy to incorporate hands-on activities and sensory play with insects!
What are some fun bug activities toddlers can do?
Toddlers learn best through hands-on activities. Bug sensory play, bug crafts, and a bug hunt are all fun activities that toddlers will love! This list also includes some toddler bug games you can print out.
Don’t Forget Picture Books to Add to Your Bug Games!
Infusing high-quality literature into your insect theme is a great way to learn interesting facts and get kids excited. Check out our favorite book picks below!
Printable Bug Games for Preschoolers
In the list below are 20+ awesome printable bug games for preschoolers to practice literacy and math skills in a fun, hands-on way!
Literacy Bug Games
These printable bug games focus on teaching preschoolers literacy skills such as letter recognition, beginning sounds and uppercase/lowercase matching.
A Buggy Alphabet Game
This printable activity pack comes with 6 insect themed activities including this fun Buggy Alphabet Game!
Butterfly Cover Up Printable Alphabet Activity for Preschool
Photo Credit:funlearningforkids.com
This butterfly cover upalphabet activityis a fun way tolearn lettersand sounds. It’s analphabet gameis perfect for yourinsect theme!
Bug Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Photo Credit:www.notimeforflashcards.com
This bug scavenger hunt is a fun way for preschoolers to practice letter recognition!
Bug Alphabet Game
Photo Credit:www.fantasticfunandlearning.com
Get kids up and moving around the room or outdoors in this Bug Alphabet Game for your preschool camping our summer theme activities.
Swat the Bug Learning Activity
Photo Credit:www.adabofgluewilldo.com
With this hands-on bug activity preschoolers can practice letter recognition as well as number recognition.
Ladybug Cover Up Alphabet Printable for Preschool
Photo Credit:funlearningforkids.com
This ladybug cover upalphabet activityis a fun way to learn letters and letter sounds. Thisalphabet gameis perfect for your insect theme thisspring!
Bumble Bee Alphabet Match
Photo Credit:modernpreschool.com
This set of uppercase bumble bee alphabet match is a great way to practice letter recognition.
Catch a Firefly Alphabet Match Activity
Photo Credit:thekindergartenconnection.com
This freeCatch a Firefly Alphabet Matchis the perfect way to add somefirefly funto your learning activities!
Sight Words Bug Game
Photo Credit:seevanessacraft.com
For the older preschooler this is a fun bug game to reinforce sight word recognition.
Free Printable Butterfly Rhyming Game
Photo Credit:www.123homeschool4me.com
This fun ButterflyRhyming Game is a playful way for preschoolersto improve early literacy skills.
Butterfly Alphabet Board Game
Photo Credit:supergodnotsupermom.com
This fun Butterfly Alphabet board game will have your preschoolers begging to practice their letter recognition skills.
Math Bug Games
These fun bug games are a fantastic way for preschoolers to practice math skills such as counting, one-to-one correspondence and number recognition!
Catch a Bug! Free Printable Game
Photo Credit:picklebums.com
This free printable ‘Catch a Bug’ game is easy to put together and fun to play. There are three ways to play, that all focus on practicing different skills.
Bug I Spy Game
Photo Credit:www.andnextcomesl.com
This free bug themed I spy printable for kids is a perfect way to work on a variety of skills!
Color Matching Bugs
Photo Credit:activity-mom.com
This FREE color matching bugs printable makes a great sorting or matching activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
Counting Ants Math Game
Photo Credit:www.mrsjonescreationstation.com
Preschoolers will have fun counting with this counting ants printable math game!
Collecting Bugs Addition Game for Preschoolers
With this fantastic printable board game preschoolers will practice counting and addition skills in a fun, hands-on way!
Bug Jar Counting Game for Kids
Photo Credit:funlearningforkids.com
This bugjar counting game and the printable counting cards make learning to count fun and engaging for toddlers and preschoolers.
Free Printable Bug Graphing Dice
Photo Credit:lifeovercs.com
This Free Printable Bug Graphing Dice game is so fun for kids! Your students will love this fun bug dice game!
Catch a Bug Math Activity and Free Printable
Photo Credit:alittlepinchofperfect.com
This catch a bug math game is a fun, hands-on way for preschoolers to practice one-to-one correspondence and counting.
Insects Roll & Cover Math Games
Photo Credit:www.giftofcuriosity.com
This Insects Roll & Cover printable includes three game levels that support number recognition, basic addition, and basic subtraction skills.
- Spring Preschool Centers
$9.00
Add to cart
- Insect Preschool Centers
$9.00
Add to cart
These fun bug printables, insect activities, and games will have your toddlers and preschoolers learning literacy and math skills in a hands-on way. Learning activities that are high interest is always the beast way to keep kids learning. Some of these activities can even be used in kindergarten and first grade.
Hand-Picked Toys For Preschool Bug Theme
Adding some insect-related items to your daily learning makes this theme all the more fun!
Related Reading
Free Bumble Bee Counting Cards – Insect Math Activities
FREE Printable Prewriting Practice for an Insect Theme
6 Printable Activities for Preschool Insect Theme
Sarah Punkoney, MAT
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
stayathomeeducator.com/
