Insect-Themed Circle Time Ideas for Spring

The snow has melted, and our backyard has turned into a bustling world of tiny creatures—and my three-year-old has definitely noticed.

“Mommy, look! This ant is carrying something!”

“Mommy, I see a ladybug! Are they nice bugs?”

Walks tend to take a little longer because we’re stopping to observe and notice. But I try to remind myself to embrace it. There’s so much magic in seeing the world through our kids’ eyes—and their curiosity makes such a beautiful foundation for playful learning.

Insects are a perfect spring theme for circle time. Kids are already noticing them outside, which means they’re ready to engage and explore. Here are some of my favorite ways to bring bugs into circle time through playful songs and music and movement:

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1. Insect Movement Cards

These are a go-to in my sessions! Simple prompts like:

• “Wiggle like a worm”

• “Hop like a grasshopper”

• “Crawl like a caterpillar”

• “Fly like a butterfly”

You can draw the cards from a basket or let kids choose. It’s a great way to channel energy and connect movement with imagination.

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2. Here Is the Beehive (with a calming twist):

This classic fingerplay never gets old. I like to end it with a gentle “honeybee hum”—have the kids hold out their finger for the bee and hum softly like bees flying home to their hive.

Here is the beehive (make a fist for the hive)

But where are all the bees?

There hidden away where nobody sees

Watch and you'll see them come out of their hive

1...2...3...4...5! Buuuuuzzzzzzz

(pretend your fingers are the bees, bringing out one finger at a time. Then wiggle and move them around as you buzz.)

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3. Five in the Bed and the Ladybug Said

This is a bug-themed spin on “Ten in the Bed.”

It’s a playful way to build early math skills, counting backwards from five, and you can act it out with the cute little bug visuals sleeping in their leaf bed.

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4. Favorite Bug Songs for Movement

Music time is always more fun with a few familiar (and super catchy) songs to move and dance along to! Here are some favorites:

• “Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)” by Laurie Berkner – Perfect for full-body movement

• Wiggle Worms by Johnette Downing - Kids will love to pretend to be sleeping worms and then wake up to wiggle, giggle, shake and more!

• “There’s a Spider on the Floor” by Raffi** – Interactive and silly

• “Ants Go Marching” by Old Town School of Folk Music - Kids can practice marching to the beat as they pretend to be busy little ants.

5. A Fun Rhyming or Singable Book -- Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi

Want even more bug-themed fun?

Check out my Insect Activity Pack. It’s full of creative, engaging ways to extend your spring theme through music, movement, and playful learning.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Bug movement cards

• A bug counting song with visuals

• “The Ants Go Marching” song visuals

• Playdough mats (ladybug + bumblebee!)

• Bug jar cut and paste craft

• Caterpillar pom pom patterns

• Caterpillar letter recognition coloring game

  And more!

It’s a perfect companion to any spring circle time or insect theme unit—designed to keep little learners moving, imagining, and discovering. :)