This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our disclosure policy.

Insects are fascinating creatures that spark curiosity in young minds. They’re everywhere—buzzing in the air, crawling on the ground, hiding under rocks, and even in our pantries. For kids, learning about insects can be an exciting adventure that combines hands-on activities, observation, and creativity. In this homeschool lesson, we’ll explore why the characteristics of insects are special, provide engaging activities like insect anatomy labeling, insect sorting and insect hunting, share fun facts, include two beautiful poems, and offer tips to make learning what is an insect for kids memorable. By the end, your child will be eager to spot insects and share their newfound knowledge!

This post includes a free printable designed to pair with bug stickers, along with book recommendations, activity ideas, and complete exploration of insects. Let’s dive into the world of creepy crawlies and discover why not all bugs are insects, but all insects are bugs!

What is an Insect?

For young learners, understanding what makes an insect unique is the first step to appreciating these tiny creatures. An insect is a type of animal with specific characteristics that set it apart from other small creatures like spiders or centipedes. While it’s been some time since many of us adults thought about these traits, they’re simple enough for preschoolers to grasp with the right activities and explanations.

What is a Bug?

The term bug is used casually for any small arthropod that might be considered a pest. This includes insects, but also other arthropods like spiders, ticks, millipedes, and centipedes. Generally speaking, arthropods are not bugs but we clump them under this umbrella term.

Characteristics of Insects

To keep things age-appropriate for younger kids, we’ll focus on five key features that are easy to observe and understand:

1. Three Body Parts: Insects have three distinct body sections—head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is where the brain and sensory organs are, the thorax is the middle part where legs and wings attach, and the abdomen houses the digestive system.
2. One Pair of Antennae: Antennae are like an insect’s super senses, helping them smell, taste, and feel their environment. They come in different shapes and sizes, from feathery to thread-like.
3. Six Legs: All insects have three pairs of legs (six total). These legs are adapted for specific tasks like jumping (grasshoppers), digging (beetles), or swimming (water bugs).
4. Zero, One, or Two Pairs of Wings: Some insects, like butterflies, have wings, while others, like ants, don’t. Wings are made of a thin membrane supported by veins.
5. Exoskeleton: Instead of bones, insects have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton, made of a material called chitin (similar to our fingernails). This protects them and gives their body structure. This is also why a bug collection is an excellent way to study the anatomy of an insect. The body dries out leaving the exoskeleton intact. We have our own collection and only add bugs we already find dead to it as the poem, Hurt no Living Thing, by Christina Rossetti says.

These specific characteristics of insects are perfect for young kids because they’re visible and easy to point out when observing real insects or toy insects.

Hurt no living thing:
Ladybird, nor butterfly,
Nor moth with dusty wing,
Nor cricket chirping in the grass,
Nor ant upon her tiny path,
Nor bee within the flower,
Nor beetle in his armor bright,
Nor grasshopper that leaps by night,
Nor glow-worm’s gentle spark,
Nor spider weaving in the dark.

Recommended Books About Insects

Books are a fantastic way to introduce kids to characteristics of insects, insect anatomy, and spark their interest. Here are three engaging, age-appropriate books that combine beautiful illustrations with fascinating facts:

• In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming: This colorful book follows a caterpillar’s journey through a grassy world filled with insects. Its rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations make it perfect for young readers.
• It Fell from the Sky by The Fan Brothers: A whimsical tale about a mysterious object that lands in a community of insects. The story encourages curiosity and imagination while showcasing different bugs.
• Usborne Bugs Magic Painting Book by Abigail Wheatley: This interactive book lets kids paint black-and-white bug illustrations with water to reveal colors. It’s a fun way to learn about insects while being creative.

Fun Facts About Insects

To make learning about what is an insect for kids even more exciting, here are some fun facts that will amaze your kiddo (and maybe you too!):

• Insects Are Super Old: Insects have been around for over 350 million years—long before dinosaurs! They’ve survived all sorts of changes on Earth. I wonder if two of every kind made it on the ark!
• There Are So Many Insects: Scientists think there are about 10 quintillion (that’s 10,000,000,000,000,000,000) insects on Earth. That’s more than all the grains of sand on a beach!
• Butterflies Taste with Their Feet: A butterfly’s feet have tiny taste buds, so they can “taste” a flower just by landing on it.
• Fireflies Glow to Talk: Fireflies use their glowing lights to send signals to each other, like a secret code in the dark.
• Ants Are Super Strong: An ant can carry up to 50 times its own weight. That’s like a kid carrying a car!
• Bees Dance to Share Directions: When a bee finds a good flower, it does a “waggle dance” to tell other bees where to go.
• Ladybugs Are Helpful: Ladybugs eat pests like aphids, making them a farmer’s best friend.
• Dragonflies Are Amazing Flyers: Dragonflies can fly forward, backward, and even hover like a helicopter, making them one of the fastest insects. We see tons at our home and they are one of my favorite! What is your child’s favorite?

Share these facts during activities or while observing insects to keep kids engaged and curious. For example, when you spot a ladybug, say, “Did you know ladybugs help plants by eating bad bugs?”

The What is an Insect for Kids Printable Activity

To make learning hands-on, we’ve designed a free printable activity that pairs with these bug stickers. This activity is perfect for learning what is an insect for kids, as it combines matching, sorting, and discussion to reinforce the characteristics of insects.

Exploring Insect Anatomy

Dive deeper into the five characteristics using the insect anatomy section of the printable. I prefer to laminate these pages and add Velcro to make it durable and fun for little hands. Here’s how to guide your child:

• For younger kids use the puzzle portion of the insect anatomy printable. As they match each anatomy part you can state the name and have your child repeat after you.
• If you have an older child who can read they can use the labels to identify the insect anatomy parts with your guidance if they make a mistake.

Insect Sorting

The printable features black-and-white illustrations of various bugs, some of which are insects and some of which are not (like spiders or centipedes). The colorful bug stickers are designed to match the insects on the printable. Here’s how to guide your child through the activity:

1. Matching Stickers:
   • Give your child the printable and the bug stickers.
   • Encourage them to select a black-and-white insect on the printable and find the matching colorful sticker.
   • The goal is to match only the insects, leaving non-insects (like spiders, snails, centipedes, or scorpions) unmatched.
2. Handling Non-Matches:
   • If your child picks a non-insect (like a spider) and can’t find a matching sticker, guide them to place it on the blank back of the printable.
   • This sorting process helps them distinguish insects from other bugs.
3. Discussing Differences:
   • Once all stickers are placed, compare the matched stickers (insects) with the unmatched ones (non-insects).
   • Use the five characteristics to explain why some bugs are insects and others aren’t. For example, point out that spiders have eight legs, not six, so they’re not insects.

This activity is flexible. If your child matches stickers in a different order (for example, starting with the stickers and finding the printable match), that’s okay! The key is to encourage observation and discussion.

Follow-Up Discussion About Insect Anatomy

• Three Body Sections:
  • Point to an insect sticker (like a butterfly) and count the body parts: “One (head), two (thorax), three (abdomen).”
  • Compare this to a non-insect, like a spider, which has only two body sections (cephalothorax and abdomen).
  • Repeat with a few different insects to reinforce the concept.
• One Pair of Antennae:
  • Show your child the antennae on insect stickers, like a beetle or bee. Explain that antennae help insects sense their world.
  • Note that some stickers may not show antennae clearly (e.g., dragonflies have tiny ones). Explain that all insects have them, even if they’re hard to see.
• Three Pairs of Legs:
  • Count the legs on insect stickers: “One pair, two pairs, three pairs—six legs total!”
  • Compare to non-insects, like a centipede (many legs) or a snail (no legs).
  • If you have bug toys, like this bug toy set, let your child examine the legs of different insects, like a grasshopper’s jumping legs versus an ant’s walking legs.
• Zero to Two Pairs of Wings:
  • Point out insects with wings, like butterflies (two pairs) or flies (one pair), and those without, like ants.
  • Explain that wings are thin and delicate, with veins for support. Compare to non-insects, like spiders, which never have wings.
• Exoskeleton:
  • Compare the exoskeleton to fingernails: “It’s hard and protects the insect, just like your nails protect your fingers.”
  • Show how the exoskeleton covers the entire insect, unlike vertebrates (like us) that have bones inside.

This hands-on activity helps kids visualize and understand what makes an insect unique while having fun with stickers.

Let’s Go Insect Hunting!

Now that your child knows the characteristics of insects and insect anatomy, it’s time to apply their knowledge in the real world! Insect hunting is an exciting way to connect learning to observation. Here’s how to make it a success:

Tips for a Successful Insect Hunt

1. Start Without a Net:
   • Begin by exploring without a net to focus on observation. Nets can be distracting, as kids may focus on swinging them rather than looking for insects.
   • Once interest wanes, introduce a durable bug catching net to catch flying insects for closer study.
2. Look in Insect Habitats:
   • Teach your child where insects like to hang out: under rocks, on leaves, in dead wood, near flowers, or on the side of buildings.
   • Discuss how these habitats provide food, shelter, or safety. For example, bees love flowers for nectar, while ants march in lines to find food.
3. Be Prepared for Challenges:
   • Insects can be elusive, especially in cooler weather. If you can’t find any, don’t worry! The act of searching teaches kids about habitats and patience.
   • If it’s a cold season or insects are scarce, try looking for spiders (which are easier to find indoors) and compare them to insects to reinforce the differences.
4. Use Technology:
   • Watch insect videos online to supplement the hunt. Look for high-quality cinematography showcasing insects up close or fun bug battle videos that captivate kids.
   • Discuss the characteristics you see in the videos, like six legs or antennae.
5. Make It Ongoing:
   • Encourage your child to spot insects whenever you’re outside. Point out a butterfly or beetle and review the characteristics together.
   • Celebrate their discoveries with enthusiasm, even if it’s their tenth ladybug of the day!

Handling Disappointments

Sometimes, insects seem to vanish when you plan an activity. This happened to me during a hunt with my 3 and 5 year old. We live near woods teeming with bugs, but they were nowhere to be found that day! Here’s how to handle it:

• Turn It Into a Habitat Lesson: Even if you don’t find insects, talk about where they might be hiding. Flip over rocks, check under leaves, or look near flowers. This teaches kids about insect preferences. We also really wanted to see some bugs so we were diligent in our search.
• Study Non-Insects: If you find a spider or snail, use it as a chance to compare. For example, “Spiders have eight legs, so they’re not insects. Let’s count their legs!”
• Try Again Later: Insects often reappear after a cold snap or rain. A few days later, my kids and I were spotting bugs everywhere, and we reviewed the characteristics each time.

Making the Most of Insect Learning

Insects are all around us, and this lesson encourages kids to observe and explore regularly. Here are ways to keep the learning going:

• Reinforce with Observation: Whenever you or your child spot an insect, take a moment to study it. Ask, “Does it have six legs? Can you see its antennae?” This reinforces the characteristics naturally.
• Celebrate Discoveries: Show excitement when your child points out an insect, whether it’s a common ant or a dazzling dragonfly. Their enthusiasm will grow with your encouragement.
• Explore Related Topics: Dive into insect diets (such as how butterflies sip nectar or ants carry food) or their life cycles (egg, larva, pupa, adult). These topics add depth to the lesson.
• Use the Letter of the Week: This activity is part of the Ii is for Insect week in our Letter of the Week program. Check out additional activities, coloring pages, and book suggestions to extend the learning.

Why Insects Matter

Insects play a huge role in our world. They pollinate plants, decompose waste, and serve as food for other animals. By teaching kids about insects, you’re fostering curiosity and respect for nature. Plus, it’s a chance to practice observation, critical thinking, and patience—skills that benefit young learners in all areas.

This lesson, with its printable, stickers, fun facts, poems, and hunting adventure, is designed to make learning fun and memorable. Your kiddo will love matching stickers, searching for bugs, and sharing their discoveries. Let me know in the comments what your child thinks of insects and how they enjoyed this activity!

Read Next: How Insects Eat: The Ultimate Play Based Learning Activity

Free What is an Insect for Kids Printable

The butterfly displayed on the puzzle portion of the printable is not proportionally accurate. I wanted to showcase the details of each insect anatomy part and allow your child to handle them easily. I chose a butterfly because most kids are not grossed out by these whimsical insects.

The little creatures of the summer
Have put their tiny coats away;
The crickets and the katydids
Have ceased their merry play.
The fireflies have quenched their lamps,
The bees have left the clover;
The butterflies have folded wings,
And summer days are over.