These great ant activities for preschoolers are sure to be a hit. Here you’ll find ideas and resources for exploring these fascinating little creatures.
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Ant Activities for Preschoolers
The Bible holds ants in high regard. In Proverbs 6:6, Solomon tells us to be wise by going to the ant and consider her ways. Ants are known to be hard workers. Anyone who has gone on a picnic or camping lately can attest to that. They also seem to look out for each other. Did you know that ants have two stomachs, one for their own food and one for sharing with other ants?
Parts of Ants
The body parts of an ant are divided in such a way that preschoolers can easily identify them. The abdomen in the back, the thorax in the middle with 6 legs, and the head in front with antennae, eyes, and mandibles.
You can download and print this free ant anatomy mini poster showing the body parts of an ant to share with your preschooler.
Ant Farm Kit for Preschoolers
An ant farm kit makes a great addition to an ant unit study. Observing ants in nature is a lot of fun, but you can only see them on the surface. Ant farm kits are a great way for a young ant fan to watch ants work and observe them up close as these busy dirt diggers build their tunnels in their ant habitat.
Ants on a Log Snack Time
Here’s a fun snack time treat you probably enjoyed when you were little (and may still enjoy now – lol). This is a healthy snack preschool children can put together themself. All you need are pieces of celery, some peanut butter, and raisins or chocolate chips.
Play Ants in the Pants
Ants in the Pants is a classic game. It’s a fun activity that preschoolers have been enjoying for decades. Children try to flip plastic ants into a container that looks like pants. This game is a great way to build fine motor skills, finger strength, and hand-eye coordination.
Books About Ants for Preschoolers
Here are my go-to books about ants for preschoolers. These would be great books to read outside – maybe even with a picnic lunch!
I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track by Joshua Prince.
I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track is one of my favorite books! The illustrations are amazing. I love the rhythmic rhyming text. It tells the story of a dedicated railroad worker who is kind to a little ant.
The Ant and the Grasshopper by Margaret Wise Brown
This is a classic story based on one of Aesop’s Fables. This version is older, but it’s one of the best I’ve read. In the end, the ants are kind to the grasshopper and let him come in, BUT anyone who stays has to work – so having learned his lesson, the grasshopper gladly does his part.
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J Pinczes
This book is a fun way to work on math skills by counting in sets. As the ants go marching off to a picnic, the littlest ant thinks they would get there faster by lining up differently – first in 2 rows of fifty and eventually 10 rows of ten. It’s a great introduction for preschoolers to see that it doesn’t matter how you group items, you still have the same amount
The Ant and the Elephant by Bill Peet
This is a charming story with moral lessons about thankfulness and pride. Several different jungle animals find themselves in a situation where they need help. It starts with an ant asking a turtle for help. The turtle refuses and then finds himself in need of help. The turtle asks a bird for help, who like him, refuses. The bird then needs help and asks a giraffe. The story continues following this pattern until an elephant stops by to help. Except for the ant, none of the animals are thankful. Meanwhile, the elephant, full of pride, thinks he never needs help from anyone, but soon gets into a situation where he does. Is there anyone who can help him?
Ant Coloring Pages for Preschoolers
Enjoy these fun ant coloring pages with your preschooler.
Ants Craft for Preschoolers
- Use this simple Insect Science: Ant Life Cycle Craft by Pre-K for introducing or reinforcing the life cycle of an ant.
- Make a cute ant hill craft made with fingerprint ants while Teaching Diligence with the Ant and the Grasshopper by Meaningful Mama
- Your child can create an underground tunnel with paint, tape, and an ant stamp with this Tape Resist Ant Art! by Pink Stripy Socks
- This Leaf Cutter Ant Craft for Kids by Still Playing School is a cute and easy project made with construction paper and your child’s fingerprint.
More Awesome Ant Activities for Preschoolers
I love researching to find fun activities and ideas that will help give moms more tools for making homeschool learning fun. I’ve spent lots of time sifting through sites to share the best resources I could find so you spend more time with your little one.
- Hands-on Ant Activities for Kids by 123 Homeschool 4 Me
- Ant Observation: A Simple Science Activity by Preschool Packets
- Ants: Fun Facts by Answers in Genesis – Kids Answers
- Where do Ants Live (a 43-second video )by Learning Mole on YouTube (no evolution)
- Fun Sensory Play in an Ant & Kinetic Sand Sensory Bin by 3 Dinosaurs
- 12 Ant Activities and Fun Facts by Child Play ABC
Be sure to check out more animal activities for preschoolers:
Hi! I’m Debbie Brown, and I created Tothood 101 as a place where Christian moms can find creative ways to make learning SUPER FUN for their preschoolers at home, along with faith-filled encouragement for balancing family, personal life, and their growing faith. My goal is to provide you with encouragement, practical strategies, and helpful resources so you can flourish in both your homeschooling journey and your walk with the Lord. Check out the ABOUT page to learn more.
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