Insect Matching Game - Foolproof DIY Toddler Activity
Spring is in full swing, and to many toddlers, it means new encounters with insects. To their less excited parents, it means that the short walk to the park will take even longer because there are so many ants and bugs to see. My daughter’s recent fascination with different kinds of insects is undeniable. She stops every few steps and points to tiny ants that I barely notice. That's why I decided to make a DIY insect matching work. I learned about this toddler activity last year during an online Montessori workshop. Today I want to share this easy and foolproof activity with you.
What do you need?
Materials:
clear flat marbles/decorative fillers (I got mine from Michaels)
pictures of different insects (Look for realistic photographs or illustrations. I found mine here.)
Mod Podge
a small brush (for gluing)
scissors
How to make the matching work?
First, print out the pictures you will be using—for example, two photos of a ladybug, two photos of an ant… You might need to play around with the pictures’ sizes, so they fit with the marbles.
Take one marble and place it on the picture of the insect.
Trace the shape of the marble with a pencil. Repeat with remaining marbles and pictures.
Cut out the paper you traced. I trimmed it a little more for easier gluing.
Place the paper with the picture on the bottom of the marble so the insect shows through the glass.
Flip over the marble.
Squeeze a small amount of Mod Podge on a brush and apply a thin layer across the marble’s back, including the paper. (Tip: Only apply the Mod Podge to the backside of the image. I first tried putting it between the image and the glass, but it degraded the quality of the picture.)
Repeat with all remaining marbles and pictures.
Let everything dry.
Show your toddler his new work :)
How to introduce this activity?
Let your toddler explore
You can let your toddler explore this work on his own.
The marbles offer a rich sensorial experience for the child and an opportunity to manipulate interesting objects.
Make sure your child isn't putting the marbles in his mouth.
Give your child a presentation on matching
One at a time lay all marbles with different pictures from left to right on a table (or a work mat).
Tell your child that you will match them with the other set.
Pick up one marble from the basket and look at the picture. Look for the match on the table. Then, place the marble below it.
Continue with the remaining marbles.
Related reading: 4 Steps to Remember When Showing Your Child a New Montessori Activity
Notes
On a different occasion, give your child the proper names of the different insects.
Will you make this easy DIY project? Please let me know in the comments below.
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