Spiders, Bees, and Insects

Kids LOVE bugs!

Anytime you combine kids and bugs, it's always a good time.  I had my own children find some real spiders and insects, and put them into some special made insect containers to let the kids observe them up close.
Then I told my children that the daddy long-leg spider got out because someone left the container open, and their reaction was priceless!

We sang the itsy-bitsy spider and read some books on spiders and insects.

webzrule.com

Did you know? That the vast majority of spiders are harmless to humans.  They also reduce the pest population around your house, garden, and garage areas. 

Many spiders use webbing to ensnare their prey. Their web designs vary between different species of spiders.  Some spin circular webs, funnel webs, crazy erratic nonsensical webs, or some don't even spin webs at all.

We also talked about BEES!

There are about 20,000 different types of species of bees in the world.  Bees live in colonies and there are 3 types of bees within that colony. The queen bee, worker bee, and the drone.

Did you know? Bees make honey to feed their young and so that they have something to eat during the winter.  They also see all colors except for red.

A great online insect resource for kids is www.pestworldforkids.org/bees.html

I had some plastic bugs that the kids loved playing with, and asked them to identify the ones they knew. These kids know a lot about different kinds of bugs!

Craft Time!
We made our own spiders that were delicious to eat.  All you need is:

• Giant roasting marshmallows
• Pretzel sticks 
• Toothpicks
• Small marshmallows
• Mini Reeses Pieces (find these in the baking aisle next to the chocolate chips)
• White frosting
• Chocolate sprinkles

Use the pretzel sticks as the legs, and stick the toothpicks on top for the antennas with a little marshmallow on top.
Next use some of the frosting at apply the mini Reeses Pieces for the eyes, and you can also frost the back of the marshmallow to add "hair" or the chocolate sprinkles.  Or if they wanted to made it a lady bug, use the Reeses Pieces as the spots.

Here are the children from both Springville and South Franklin playgroups making their own insects!

It was so much fun playing with bugs and insects. The children really enjoyed this activity and its really easy to make at home.