Hi everyone! Today, Squeaks and I had a great time outside enjoying the sunshine. We saw some colorful insects that inspired us to make some insect art to brighten up our lab!
Before we start, let’s remember what makes an insect special. All insects have three main body parts:
Insects also have an exoskeleton, which is a hard outer shell that protects their bodies. Unlike us, they don’t have bones inside. And don’t forget, insects have six legs!
Now, let’s create our own insect art! You can use construction paper, paint, clay, or anything you find at home. If you want to use construction paper like me, you’ll need scissors, glue, a pencil, pen or crayon, and some markers. Remember to ask a grown-up for help with scissors!
First, pick some colored paper for the head, thorax, and abdomen. Use a pencil to mark where you’ll cut. Once you have your shapes, cut them out and glue them together. Remember:
Next, let’s add some legs! Cut six strips of paper for the legs. Insects have three legs on each side, and they attach to the thorax.
Now, let’s give our insect some personality! On an insect’s head, you’ll find antennae, a mouth, and eyes. Insects have special eyes called compound eyes, made up of many tiny eyes that work together. Their mouths are different too, with parts that help them eat.
Once you’re done, your insect art is ready to hang up! Isn’t it colorful and fun?
We’d love to see your insect art! Ask a grown-up to send us an email at [email protected]. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. Thanks for joining us on SciShow Kids! See you next time at the fort!
Insect Safari: Go on an insect safari in your backyard or local park! Take a notebook and pencil with you. How many different insects can you find? Look closely at each one and try to identify the head, thorax, and abdomen. Count their legs to make sure they have six. Draw a picture of your favorite insect and label its body parts. Share your findings with your friends or family!
Build an Insect Hotel: Create a cozy home for insects using materials you find outside, like sticks, leaves, and rocks. Stack them together to make little rooms for insects to hide in. Observe your insect hotel over a few days. Do any insects come to visit? What kinds of insects do you see? Talk about why insects might like to live in your hotel.
Insect Body Puzzle: Make a puzzle using the three main body parts of an insect. Cut out shapes for the head, thorax, and abdomen from cardboard or thick paper. Mix them up and challenge a friend or family member to put them together correctly. Can you make different types of insects by rearranging the parts? Discuss how each part helps the insect survive.
