Do your kids love bugs? Below you’ll find a hands-on, squishy, and creative activity where kids design their own bugs using a fun mix of craft supplies and their imagination! Find out how to set up a build a bug playdough activity and get inspired with ideas for play. Find more Sensory play ideas here.
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What you’ll need to set up a build a bug playdough station:
You really don’t need a lot, just some playdough and some craft supplies that I bet you already have in your house.
- * Colorful playdough (multiple colors)
- * Googly eyes
- * Pipe cleaners
- * Pom poms (assorted colours and sizes)
- * Playdough tools (rollers, cutters, etc)
- * Toy bugs (to inspire and observe real bug features)
I’ve made some suggestions of small craft supplies that you can use but you might have other supplies that could work. Perhaps colourful beads and buttons.
You might like to make your own lemon playdough for an extra sensory element.
Ways to Play with this activity
You might find that your kids need no prompts at all and they dive straight in making their own bugs but if they need some inspiration then I have some ideas and suggestions for you.
Show your child how to pick a toy bug and examine it. What colour is it? How many legs does it have?
Now suggest that they either try to copy it using the playdough or how about creating something totally unique?
- They can roll, cut, and shape pieces of playdough into bug bodies.
- Stick in pipe cleaners for legs or antennae.
- Add pom poms for spots or fuzzy textures
- Press on googly eyes to bring their bug to life
There’s no right or wrong—just lots of imaginative bug-building fun!
Benefits of this build a bug play dough activity
There are so many benefits to this activity. You can use it as a stand alone activity or as part of a bug-theme.
Fine motor skills – playdough is fantastic for strengthens hand muscles. You’re child will be rolling, pinching and shaping balls of play dough throughout this activity. They’ll also be learning how to pick up small objects like the pompoms.
Creativity – There are lots of opportunities for kids to be creative with this activity. Will they recreate the toy bugs or real bugs or will they Kids design their own bugs with unique features and even personalities. They might even make up little stories as they play.
Sensory play is so important for young children and they will be using touch and sight to examine colours and textures.
STEM Learning is encouraged through the observation of bugs. This activity also introduces simple concepts like body parts, symmetry, and texture.
Language Development is supported through this activity if you talk to them about bug names, colours, the numbers of legs, and so much more!
How to extend the bug learning
If you want some more bug activities for your kids, here are a few suggestions.
Bug crafts
How about making some bugs using craft materials? I have loads of ideas for you here – Bug crafts for preschoolers.
Go on a bug hunt
Why not go out in your garden or backyard and see if you can find some real life bugs? This has always been a firm favorite with my kids.
You don’t need any fancy kit but there are some great * bug hunting kits available at fairly low cost.
Play bug bingo
This is a really fun games and simple for kids.
I love this beautifully illustrated version – * Bug Bingo
or create your own for free with our Bug bingo free printable.
Read some bug themed books
There are lots of bug themed books for kids, here are a few suggestions.
I love all Britta Teckentrup books including this one on * Bugs.
She also has one just on bees – * Bee.
We love this rhyming book in our house – * Mad about minibeasts
More activity ideas for preschool kids
Find a full guide to all my bug activities for preschool here.
Here is another play dough activity with a bug theme – Build a spider playdough.
You might like this bumble bee sensory bin.
Find loads of Spring crafts for preschoolers here.
Find some Spring Art Projects for Kids here.
This Signs of spring scavenger hunt includes some bugs.
Find more Nature activities for kids here.
Find Fall playdough recipes and activities here.