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BUGS, BUGS, BUGS

BUG ZOO
Let your children use their imaginations to create their own make-believe bugs. Set out such materials as empty yogurt and mayo tubs, cardboard tubes, egg cartons, pipe cleaners, yarn, pompoms, googly eyes, paper scraps, paint (mixed with drops of liquid soap), and glue. Then invite the children to use the materials to make "bugs." Display their creations together as a Bug Zoo.
 
INSECT ART
Show your children how to make an insect head, thorax, and body by crumpling squares of black paper into balls and gluing three of them in a row on light colored paper. Provide black yarn pieces to glue on each insect for two antennas and six legs. Or have the children use crayons or markers to draw them on. Let the children add bits of green Easter grass to their insect art, if they wish.

BUG LOTTO

Purchase two identical sets of nine different bug stickers. For a gameboard, divide a piece of poster board into nine squares and attach one bug sticker to each square. For game cards, cut out nine identical squares of poster board and attach the second set of bug stickers. To play, invite your children to take turns placing the bug cards on top of the matching bug squares on the gameboard.
 
BUG CHARADES
Talk about different kinds of bugs that your children may be familiar with, such as ants, butterflies, or bees. Ask them each to think of a favorite bug. Then let them take turns acting out their bug's movements while the group tries to guess the bug's name. If any child has trouble choosing a bug, whisper a suggestion in his or her ear. Continue until everyone has had a turn.

 

BUG VIEWER
Find a clear-plastic bottle and use a knife to cut a square opening in one side. Place grass and leaves inside the bottle, along with your bug. Then pull a light-colored nylon stocking down over the top of the bottle to keep the bug inside and allow for viewing.
Be sure to release your bug where you found it at the end of the day.
 
BUG SAFARI
Go with your children on a walk to search for bugs. Take along plastic magnifying glasses and an instant camera. Have the children look for bugs under leaves, small pieces of wood, or rocks, and encourage them to talk about any bugs they find. Instead of bringing back the bugs, "capture" them by taking instant photos to view and discuss when you return.

I WISH I WERE A TEENY TINY BUG
Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It"

Oh, I wish I were a teeny tiny bug.
Oh, I wish I were a teeny tiny bug.
I would curl up nice and snug
On a teeny tiny rug
And give myself a teeny tiny hug!
Elizabeth Scofield

BUG PLACE MATS
Let your children make bug placemats to use for snack time. Set out bug-shaped rubber stamps along with inkpads in a variety of colors. Have the children stamp bug prints all over pieces of light-colored construction paper. If you wish, laminate the papers or cover them with clear Contact paper.