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Make an Insect Parts Puzzle

Make an Insect Parts Puzzle
Make an Insect Parts Puzzle
  • Activity Time: 0-15 minutes
  • Recommended Ages: 3-4, 5-7
  • Adult Involvement: Medium
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Make an Insect Parts Puzzle

By Curiosity Zone July 12, 2016

In this science activity, kids make and put together a puzzle while learning the parts of an insect.

You can tell if an animal is an insect by counting its parts: every insect has SIX legs, THREE body parts (head, thorax and abdomen) and TWO antennae. Insects also usually have wings. All insects also have a skeleton, but it’s on the outside of their body. This is called an “exoskeleton.”

Although spiders are creepy and crawly, they are not insects. So what is the difference? Spiders have EIGHT legs, TWO body parts and ZERO antennae or wings!

The world is full of helpful insects: butterflies help to grow flowers by carrying pollen; honeybees make honey; and ladybugs help keep other insects from hurting the leaves on plants. But some insects are trouble-makers. For example, aphids can harm a plant by eating its leaves, termites can damage a house by eating up the wood inside, and mosquitoes can harm humans by biting them and making them itch!

An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. They study what insects do, where they live, what they eat and how they act. Entomologists also classify insects and put them into groups by how they are the same or different. An entomologist can work anywhere insects live, and insects live all over the world (usually on land). Insects can even be found on top of snow and ice in places like Antarctica! Entomologists sometimes also work in a laboratory, where they can watch insects closely and do experiments.

Materials

  • Printable puzzle (see Instructions)
  • Scissors
  • Crayons or markers

Create shopping list

Instructions

Insect Puzzle Printable

Print out the "Insect Puzzle" printable, color and cut out to make a fun puzzle that allows kids to learn the parts of an insect.

Extensions:

Laminate the puzzle to  make it last longer.

Trace the parts onto craft foam or felt and add magnets or velcro to enable use on a magnetic board or felt board.

Tape the parts to a paper lunch bag to make a puppet.

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