Need something to keep the kiddos busy? A summer busy bag does just that. Literally.
Busy Bag Uses
It’s summer-time and you’re on the go. All the time. You’re traveling to grandma’s, going on a trip to the beach and headed out to the pool as often as you can.
So, with all the summer fun, why would your child ever need a busy bag? Simple. There are hours of driving, waiting in airports and just hanging out to do in the next few months.
Instead of bringing a screen along with you, just pack up a busy bag and you’re ready to go. This one features a fun summer-time friend: Ladybugs. Your child can assemble the ladybug, and then use it to practice basic math skills such as counting, adding and subtracting.
Learning and Development Goals
- Fine motor skills – eye-hand coordination, dexterity, rip
- Math – counting, adding, subtracting, creating patterns, shape recognition
- Color recognition and identification
Craft Materials Needed
- Craft felt – white, red and black
- Googley eyes
- Clear-drying school glue
- Scissors
- A marker
- Clear plastic zipper baggie
Ladybug Activity How-to Steps
- Fold a red piece of red craft felt in half. Use 8×10-inch sheets of felt.
- Draw half of a circle on the felt, with the center of the circle at the fold. This is the perfect time to talk to your child about shapes.
- Cut along the line. Now your child has a full circle. This will be the ladybug’s body.
- Cut a smaller circle from black felt to make the ladybug’s head.
- Glue two googley eyes to the head.
- Make antennas. Cut two small, thin rectangles from the black felt and glue them to the top of the head.
- Cut another slim rectangle line. Glue it to the center of the red circle, dividing it in half.
- Create ‘spots’. Cut small-sized circles from the black felt.
- Assemble the ladybug on another sheet of felt. It will stick together.
- Use the small circle dots to count, add or subtract. Your child can count the circles. Place one or more on the left side of the line, and one or more on the right side. Ask your child to count how many they add up to. Remove a few, and subtract the quantities.
- Fold everything up when your child’s done and pack it away in the bag for later.
Extension Activities
Your child can create patterns with the dots on the ladybug or even make a design. Make stories about the flying summer-time friend. Your child can get as creative, name the ladybug, and imagine a narrative that tells the creature’s tale.
Are you looking for other busy bag activities? Check out these toddler and preschooler-friendly ideas!
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