|
Learning about insects is SUCH a great way to bring real life, everyday science to life in your homeschool—and with the Explore Insects Unit Study, it’s easier (and more fun!) than ever. From observing real bugs to creating colorful bug-themed art and diving into creative writing, this hands-on homeschool unit study has everything you need to spark creepy-crawly curiosity and learning!
Whether you’re raising a future entomologist or just looking for an exciting spring or summer study, here’s a peek at how you can explore the world of bugs with your elementary-aged kiddos.
Table of Contents
Insects are everywhere—and kids are naturally curious about them. Studying insects gives you the chance to explore big science ideas like life cycles, habitats, adaptation, camouflage, and pollination—all through tiny creatures your kids can observe right outside their door. (And, unfortunately, sometimes right inside their door.) 😬
But insect studies aren’t just about science. They’re also packed with opportunities for:
Art: From painting dragonflies to embossing bejeweled bugs
Writing: Through creative bug reports and storytelling
Math: Using coordinate graphing to reveal hidden bug pictures
Critical thinking: Designing new bugs and imagining bug battles
Plus, bugs are simply fun. (Even if they’re a little creepy-crawly!)
One of the coolest parts of studying insects is you can go right outside to find them in real life! My six-year-old LOVES to flip over rocks and stumps to look for buggy friends, so she felt like a real hot shot with the tools that come in the Bug Discovery Lab kit included in this insects unit study. It's got a wonderful activity journal with a bunch of really interesting (and doable) activities and cool tools for hands-on exploration.
Your kids will get to:
Go on a Bug Hunt: Use the net and containers to search under rocks, leaves, and logs for beetles, ants, worms, and more.
Set Up a Pit Trap: Use the included sponge and shovel to create a simple trap and see what insects you can catch overnight.
Observe and Record: Look closely at your findings with the magnifier, then sketch or write about them in the discovery journal.
Test Reactions: Experiment to see how bugs respond to light, color, or food scraps.
Create a Mini Habitat: Build a temporary bug hotel to observe insects up close before setting them free again.
These small adventures help kids practice real science skills—observation, prediction, experimentation—and give them a stronger connection to the natural world around them. Win-win! 🙌
My FAAAAVORITE part of our Explore Insects Unit Study is how many creative, totally unique projects it contains. These activities help kids connect what they’re learning to art, storytelling, and real-world exploration. Here are a few highlights we tried out that you'll love doing with your kids, too.
Inspired by real dragonflies and stained glass windows, kids will paint their own colorful insects using watercolor techniques. With big, bold wings and intricate designs, these dragonflies some out SO beautiful. Plus, they spark conversations about light, art history, and insect anatomy.
Using aluminum tooling foil and permanent markers, kids design dazzling bugs that shimmer like real insects. They press designs into foil to create raised textures, then add details and "jewels" to bring their bugs to life. It's a beautiful way to blend art, fine motor skills, and creativity, and really makes an impressive finished project. My kids had never done an art project like this before, so it was very cool to do something totally new!
In another really unique project, kids imagine the world beneath their feet by designing their own ant tunnels and chambers. They’ll think about where ants store food, raise young, and travel through the soil—then bring their underground ant world to life through watercolors, torn paper, markers, and clay. Our little ants came out SOOOO cute!
Using air-dry clay and the real art technique of "slip", kids create a small flower-shaped dish—just the kind of place a butterfly or ladybug might land! This project encourages observation (looking closely at real flowers) and lets kids explore 3D sculpture, texture, and painting in a hands-on (and super cute) way.
James and the Giant Peach, the classic Roald Dahl novel, comes with this insects unit study crate to use either for independent reading or a fun family read-aloud (my choice!). Inspired by the book, we came up with this whimsical project that invites kids to design the inside of a giant fruit home—just the right size for a group of bug friends! It's a wonderful blend of art and storytelling, encouraging kids to imagine, design, and dream. 🥰
Kids combine research, writing, and creative design in this super fun final project to wrap up the insect unit study. Your child will choose a real insect to study, then turn their Knowledge Crates box into a pretend insect-themed cereal box—complete with drawings, facts, games, and catchy slogans. It’s a fabulous way to make research and writing hands-on and exciting!
With so many different ways to explore insects through art, design, and creativity, your child will come away with a deeper appreciation for these tiny creatures—and a whole lot of masterpieces to show for it!
You could absolutely gather books, plan activities, and pull materials together yourself—and honestly, insect studies are a wonderful DIY homeschool science project.
But if you want to save time and get everything you need in one box, ready to go, our Explore Insects Homeschool Unit Study makes it soooo easy (and provides a killer value), honestly.
The crate includes:
Over 20 planned and prepped activities spanning science, art, nature study, literacy, cursive handwriting, creative writing, and more
All the supplies you’ll need (except for perishable food scraps, yuck!)
A full activity guide, written for the student, with simple, clear directions
Educational Insights Bug Discovery Lab kit for real science exploration
Four fiction and nonfiction insect-themed books for kids (see more info in the next section!)
Everything is open-and-go, flexible, and designed to make learning joyful—for your kids and for you. 🥰 (Not gonna lie, you're going to want to do some of these art projects yourself!)
Like I said above, included in this insects unit study crate you'll get a handpicked collection of fiction and nonfiction books that tie perfectly into your bug-themed learning.
I personally picked these books after taking a TON out of the library and seeing which ones appealed the most to my kids and provided the subject matter knowledge needed for a solid unit study.
Your kids will get:
Eyewitness: Insect by DK – A beautifully photographed nonfiction guide to bugs of all kinds. This will be the "spine" of your insects unit study.
Smithsonian's The Buzz on Insects from Penguin Young Readers – A fun, engaging introduction to insect basics
Who Would Win? Ultimate Bug Rumble by Jerry Pallotta – A kid-favorite book about hypothetical insect battles that teaches a lot about these cool creatures
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl– A whimsical read-aloud that ties in perfectly with the insect theme (plus a creative project to match!)
If you're a library hound like me and want even MORE bug-themed books to enjoy throughout this unit study, I've got you covered. 😉
We put together a free printable library book list packed with fiction and nonfiction titles all about insects, bugs, and the tiny world around us. You’ll find something for every level—from colorful picture books to beginner chapter books perfect for independent readers.
It’s an easy way to add extra read-alouds, spark more bug conversations, and keep the excitement going long after the day’s activities are done!
If your kids are loving learning about bugs (and you want to keep the excitement going), we’ve put together a couple of optional add-ons to make your insect unit study even more fun:
Bugs & Slugs Board Game: A lighthearted trivia game filled with fun facts about all kinds of insects, slugs, and other tiny critters. It’s a great way to sneak in science while playing together as a family!
Bug Bonus Pack: This bundle includes even more hands-on tools and books to fuel your child’s curiosity—a 3D wooden ant puzzle to build, a tongs-style bug catcher and magnifying bug viewer for backyard exploration, and five additional books, from beginner readers to chapter books.
Both of these optional add-ons are a great way to stretch your bug unit even further—and make it even easier to dive deep into the amazing world of insects!
From backyard bug hunts to shiny bejeweled beetles, this insect unit is full of hands-on learning, meaningful projects, and just the right amount of gross-out fun. Whether you use these ideas to build your own DIY insect unit or go all in with our ready-to-go crate, I hope you feel excited and inspired to explore the insect world with your kids!
Don’t forget to grab the free insect book list, check out the optional add-on activities and games , and take a peek inside the full Explore Insects Homeschool Unit Study if you're looking for a stress-free, open-and-go way to bring all of this to life.
Happy bug hunting! 🐞🌿
Author: Elizabeth, Team Knowledge Crates
Elizabeth is a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom with a Master of Science in Education. She's been homeschooling for six years with her kiddos who are currently in kindergarten and third grade. At Knowledge Crates, Elizabeth develops the elementary unit studies and test-runs activities with her kids.
Products Featured In This Blog
What makes this Explore Insects unit so engaging for elementary-aged kids?
This unit stands out thanks to its over 20 hands‑on activities like creating stained-glass dragonflies, building a cereal box research report, sculpting a clay flower dish, and inventing imaginary insect homes inside a mini “Giant Peach.” It blends science, art, writing, and outdoor exploration—so children learn by doing and thinking creatively.
Do I need to provide any materials to complete the activities?
Nope—everything is included. From modeling clay and magnifying tools, to books, scissors, paint, and observation journals, the kit arrives ready to use without any extra shopping.
Can this insect study work for mixed-age siblings?
Absolutely. The activities are designed to scale by skill level—your younger child might explore with play dough and art, while older kids can take on writing reports or graphing data in the bug discovery lab. The family can learn together at their own pace.
Will this unit help with writing and research skills?
Yes. One of the capstone projects is a Cereal Box Research Report where kids select an insect, research facts, design the box cover, add games, slogans, and practice creative writing—all while building familiar literacy skills.
How does this insect unit support real science learning?
The kit includes a Bug Discovery Lab with magnifier tools, a 22‑page observation journal, and interactive hands-on experiments, helping children learn about insect anatomy, habitats, life cycles, and scientific observation.
Is there an easier way than gathering all these materials and planning activities myself?
Yes! Knowledge Crates has already done the work for you. The Explore Insects Unit Study arrives with everything included: over 20 multi-disciplinary activities, science tools, fiction and nonfiction books, step-by-step guide, and supplies. It's an open-and-go system that lets you focus on teaching and having fun—without the prep or stress.
