My son just turned 3 recently and I’m really starting to see this amazing personality shine through his tiny little body. He’s so lovable and outgoing—he’s the kid in Target that says hi to every single stranger that passes by. And he won’t stop saying hi until you respond! He’s also inquisitive—asking about a million questions a day about everything he sees, hears, or touches. Right now, he’s really into bugs! Most of the time, when he comes across a new insect that he’s never seen, his first reaction is, “Mommy look, it’s so cute.” Followed by “What is it?” “Can I hold it”? “Is it slimy”? And “I love it!”
Related: How to Teach Your Toddler the Alphabet
During letter I week of teaching my son the alphabet, I put together a simple Insect Scavenger Hunt for him to have fun investigating nature and his outdoor surroundings. He was so excited to try and find every insect on the checklist.
He carried around my laminated Insect Scavenger Hunt checklist, a dry erase marker in his pocket and his binoculars around his neck—which he used to scout out butterflies and bees. After catching some lizards, ants, and a ladybug, he did some up close inspecting when he put all his insects in his Battat Tiki Retreat bug catcher. It’s the Ritz for bugs!
After a few hours of holding his bugs and naming them, we let them go (behind the fence) and, of course, did it all again the next day.
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You can print and laminate my Insect Scavenger Hunt printable below and get some of the coordinating items on Amazon for your Insect Scavenger Hunt.
Related: Teach Your Child How to Call 911
Items Needed:
Have fun!
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Is your toddler into insects? What are some of the funny things your kids like? Share in the comments below.
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Buy on Amazon for you Insect Scavenger Hunt:
Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
Insect Scavenger Hunt is such a wonderful idea! Investigating nature and the outdoor surroundings is a smart activity. I’m going to adapt this
This looks like such a fun idea! Thanks for inspiration
This is such a good idea! I work as an English teacher in Spain with children and this is giving me ideas! I could use this to teach kids vocabulary about insects. I love things that get kids outside and interacting with nature. Hands-on learning is so much more fun.
This looks like so much fun! My son would love this (he is 2), but my girls not so much. Haha. They are so afraid of insects.
Awww .. this is the sweetest thing for kids! Has he caught any lightning bugs? Those have always been my favorite. Ladybugs and butterflies are pretty cool too .. xx
We don’t have lightning bugs in Florida 🙁 I wish we did!
What a cute and fun idea. I will try this with my kids. Thank you
That is so cute and such a great idea I must say. and lovely…. I loved insects when I was a kid.
Aww this is adorable! My 2 year old son isnt into bugs yet, he’s all about water! Anytime he hears the water on, in the tub, shower, or sink hes got to stick his little foot right in it. This idea is so adorable I cant wait until he gets more interest in things like bug hunting!
Oh what fun! I love this, getting outdoors is so important and finding fun and interesting things like this is always a great way to spend time together!
Wow you are so creative. I am sure your son enjoyed going outdoors and an insect hunt. Little ones love exploring. I used to be a teacher and I have noticed that kids loved creative lessons like this. Well done.
the attitude of your kids towards nature and all her being is so lively and we should all learn by him. The game you play together sounds very educative.
That’s a very cool idea to entertain children or youngsters!
I have a two year old little girl that’s terrified of bugs. Lol. However, this would have been an awesome idea when my boy was a toddler! He’s a teen now! 😫
Hi Meagan, am not sure if my previous comment went through, so I am commenting again…lol. I am having issues with my comment not appearing if I comment from my phone. Your activity is indeed very interesting and any kid would love it.
What a good way to provide fun for your child and at the same time it’s educational too.
They are very much educative along with being playful. You child seems to enjoy it a lot. A great review on the product too.
Your little guy is adorable! And what a fun idea! Believe me, even my granddaughters would like this. My daughter sent me pictures and a video recently of my almost 2-year-old granddaughter holding a nasty horn worm – those things are BIG and GROSS – but she was holding it up and saying it was hers, and wouldn’t let her 4 and 6 year old sisters near it! I’m going to share this post with my daughter. 🙂
Love it. Great idea for a fun activity with the kids. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great learning game. I can even use it with my youngest students too, I believe they will love it.