When I found out our second child would be a boy, I figured my days would soon be filled with dirt, things that fly or have wheels… and I was right: he’s obsessed with bugs! It’s actually super cute and our days are often filled with various bug activities for toddlers – from catching, examining and even making bug crafts! I decided that this simple Firefly Lantern Craft using glow stick lanterns with glitter would make a great summer activity for my little bug lover and it turned out to be one of the cutest things ever.
I try my best to not freak out when he finds a bug that I’m unfamiliar with, so I spend a bunch of time researching his explorations online so that we can learn the names, habitats, and other cool bug facts. Recently, we learned that California had their first firefly spotting in the hills of Santa Monica! Of course, the kids had no idea that bugs can actually glow and, after explaining the traditions of catching fireflies, my toddler was determined to find a glowing bug too.
Firefly Lantern Craft
Bug Activities for Toddlers
I love that this lantern craft because it feels like we’re catching our own fireflies, but we’re constantly exploring other bug activities for toddlers. Here are some ways I try to encourage a child’s love of insects, animals and learning in general:
- Ask questions: it goes without saying that taking the time to ask questions and research goes a long way! We have so much fun just sitting, asking questions and coming up with possible answers.
- Online resources: Google search can easily take up hours of our day! Exploring online resources is a great activity to learn and ask even more questions. Another favorite is National Geographic’s Insect for Kids web page.
- Bug Books for Kids: The library is your friend as you explore children’s book about bugs with your toddler. We also love this sticker book and Nat Geo Kids Creepy Crawler Sticker Activity Book.
Toys for Bug Lovers: Bug Catcher Kit
Before starting on our toddler craft, we went hunting for fireflies! Bugs that glow? Yes, please! But first, my guy needed a bug catcher kit! Oh my goodness, watching him explore for bugs has been the joy of my days lately. I love his focus and patience when observing the tiniest of creatures. I’ve been asked a couple time about our favorite toys for bug lovers, so here are the toys we have.
- Bug Catcher Vacuum with Light Up Habitat: to catch and examine the insects, he uses a bug catching vacuum and then adds the bugs to the habitat.
- Insect Viewing Kit: for about ten bucks, the scooping scissors, tweezers, and net are perfect to capture (and release) the bugs.
- Exploration Critter Case: for bugs we’re going to observe for awhile (like caterpillars), this backyard critter case is perfect to observe and carry around.
Firefly Lantern Craft: What You’ll Need
You don’t need much to create these beautiful and vibrant Firefly Lanterns. In fact, although we made them as a fun bug craft for toddlers, this lantern craft would be equally as festive for a dinner party or outdoor gathering that needs an extra bit of sparkle. With just a few containers with lids, glow sticks and glitter, you can make pretty lantern crats. Here’s what you’ll need
- Container: we used mason jars with libs to catch our fireflies!
- Glow sticks: usually in the $1 bin or store. Any kind will work.
- Glitter: experiment with various size and shapes glitter to give varied effects.
Bug Crafts for Toddlers
The steps to create this lantern craft are super easy. You’ll need to cut the ends of the glow stick, which is definitely a step for an adult as the tubes container sharp glass/plastic. The actual solution in the glow sticks is not toxic, though the packaging advises not to get the contents on the skin. So be careful.
Once the glow stick solution is in the container, add your desired amount of glitter to resemble fireflies. And that’s it!
My 5-year-old helped to pour the glow stick solution into the container then they both had turns choosing which glitter to use as their fireflies. It was so fun! When it comes to crafts for kids, this is the kind that makes my heart happy: activities that make my support my kids’ interest and foster a love of exploring and asking questions.
The moment my toddler saw the fireflies “flying” in the lantern craft we created he remembered our activities and his young imagination took over. He used his “explorer tools” to observe the fireflies, gentling titling the lantern in various directions to watch them “fly” all around. It was so magical!
Simple Crafts for Kids: Building Memories
There are times when crafts for kids make an impact in parenting. This was one of them. Especially for little bug enthusiasts, this simple Firefly Lantern will bring magic and joy into their explorations.
Here are a few more of our favorite simple crafts for kids:
Plastic Egg Letter Recognition Game
