Insect Habitat Activities and Projects for Preschoolers

Looking for a flutter of fun and educational activities for growing preschool minds? Look no further! We've got the perfect lesson plans and projects to ignite your children's curiosity and love of learning! Whether it's creating a habitat for insects who need a home, observing their fascinating behavior, or just giving them a tasty drink, you have a kaleidoscope of ways to teach the insect life cycle! 

1. Bug Hotel

Wild bugs don't need a lot to have a cozy shelter from the elements - it's often as simple as finding a piece of cover! You can build a safe and simple insect shelter using natural materials like sticks, pinecones, and hollow stems. It can be as easy as leaving some leaves on the ground so they have a quick and accessible home!

Place your new "bug hotel" in a shaded area, close to a water source and if possible some nearby plants. Make daily observations to see who is stopping by for a visit: is it a curious caterpillar, or perhaps a busy bee? The possibilities are endless! 

2. Fruit Observation Station

Set up a simple outdoor station with pieces of fruit to attract hungry insects! First, ask kids what they already know about insects and why they like fruit. Could they have a favorite? It's time to find out! Set clear expectations to observe, don’t touch. We’re guests in their world! 

Observe daily visitors as they buzz by for a taste of fruit. You may see butterflies, fruit flies or even a curious ladybug! Write down observations and see if they surprise you! Be sure to clean up the fruit at the end of each day of observation - insects prefer fresh fruit, just like us! 

3. Ant Viewing Habitat

Insect Lore's Ant Hill provides the perfect educational experience for children who are ready to view the fascinating lives of ants. Gently fill the habitat with sand and use the  rod to poke small tunnels in the sand - you're helping jump-start your ant friend's community! Follow our Ant Hill Instructions here to continue adding your ant friends to the habitat and giving them water.

Observe and record as your busy ants dig and tunnel their way to a thriving colony home! Be sure to feed them a small piece of celery, apple or carrot ever 2-3 days to ensure they have enough nutrition to grow, explore and build. As you observe your ants, compare your observations with your initial predictions of your ant friends. Does their colony look like the twisting tunnels you expected? Your curious and dynamic ant friends may surprise you! 

4. Butterfly - Raising Habitat

An insect lesson wouldn't be complete without an Insect Lore Butterfly- Raising Kit! When your Cup of Caterpillars arrives in the mail, you will spend the first week observing your caterpillars and recording their fascinating behavior and changes. As with the previous projects, ask your preschoolers what they expect from their life cycle project. How big do they think their little friends will get? How long do they predict it will take for them to transform into compelling chrysalides, and then to beautiful butterflies? They may be surprised at the silk webs they are able to spin, and the way they curl up and hang to prepare for transformation! 

Once the caterpillars have become chrysalides, transfer them into the habitat with their chrysalis station, taking care to brush away any excess silk. From there it is another week of observation before they emerge. It's the perfect opportunity to discuss this transformation with your students, and how they expect it to go. What do they think is occurring beneath the silent surface of the chrysalis? Encourage them to be as honest and as open as possible! Once your butterflies emerge, it's time for another short period of observation before releasing them into the outdoors. You can even give them some slices of fruit! 

Visit us here for more in-depth Butterfly Kit instructions! 

5. Bug Bath Station

Help your neighborhood bugs get a tasty drink! Guide your students to make a "Bug Bath" by setting up a shallow water source for thirsty pollinators. It's as simple as taking a low dish and filling it with water and pebbles so insects have a surface to land on when they drink. Place it in a safe outdoor area preferably out of direct sunlight. From there you can observe the many daily visitors who will take a trip to a much-appreciated water source - after all, every insect drinks water! Your children may be surprised at who decides to show up! 

6. Insect Observation Walk 

You don't need a ton of extra materials to craft a compelling lesson for your preschoolers. In fact, it can be easy as taking a walk outside! Plan a short, relaxed walk in a safe natural area such as a park path, school garden, or quiet trail away from traffic, where they can enjoy the quiet sounds of nature. Make sure your class is staying together and observing without directly affecting insects. Give children magnifying glasses and show them how to gently observe insects on leaves, soil, or tree bark without direct touch.

Encourage their curiosity with questions: do these insects crawl, hop or fly? What colors or patterns are they drawn to? What sounds do they make? Invite them to share their discoveries so this feels like a shared adventure, rather than a simple lesson. You can even inspire your active children to do an impression of their favorite insects!  

7. Flower Habitat Watch