You may be wrinkling your nose in disgust, but the fact is most children are fascinated with insects. Toddlers are naturally curious and usually only become afraid of insects when they are imitating the reactions of someone else. There are certainly more insects on this planet than any other species, and they are just about everywhere. Don't ignore them. Capitalize on your child's interest in learning.

This section includes some fun activities having to do with insects, but the most valuable activity may be to simply provide your child with a magnifying glass and some time to observe the insects all around him!

Catching Butterflies

This fun activity will help your child develop eye/hand coordination and motor skills.

• Cut the construction paper into butterfly shapes. Be sure they are small enough to fit into your child's net.

• Wait for a windy day. Go outside with your child. Toss one or more butterflies in the air and let your child try to catch them with the net.

Butterfly Feet

Your child will most likely enjoy the sensory experience of having his feet dipped in paint as much as he likes the end result.

• Fill the pie tin with the paint. Help your child remove his shoes and socks, and then help him step into the paint.

• Have him step directly out of the paint and onto the paper. Help him arrange his feet so he puts them down with heels together and toes pointed outward. (You can spread newspaper to catch any drips.) Have your child step directly off the paper again.

• Once the picture is dry, your child can decorate the butterfly by drawing in a body and antennae.

Worm Tracks

This is a great open-ended art project for the child who finds these garden dwellers fascinating rather than icky.

• Pour the paint into the pie tin.

• Have your child dip and coat the yarn pieces into the brown paint.

• Show him how to drag the yarn across the paper to create worm tracks.

Fingerprint Bugs

These personalized insects will help your child develop creativity and fine motor skills.

• Pour the paint into the pie tin.

• Have your child dip his thumb into the paint.

• Help him press his thumb onto the paper to create a thumbprint. He can use crayons to add the head, legs, and antennae.

Coffee-Filter Butterflies

Both adults and children will love these simple and colorful creations! You can use colored tissue paper instead of dying the coffee filters.

• Open a coffee filter, and have your toddler squeeze different colored drops of food coloring onto it. The colors will blend together in a beautiful design.

• Fold the colored filter into a fan shape and help your child insert it into the clothespin. Leave an equal amount of the filter on each side of the pin. Fluff out the coffee filter so that it looks like wings.

• Let your child glue on the pipe cleaners to make antennae and use markers to make eyes on the head of the clothespin.