Nature Camp Day 2: Ants

6/10/2014

Toddler Ants

Today we explored the world of ants! We talked about the life cycle of the ant and how it goes through a metamorphosis just like a butterfly - egg, pupa, larva and adult ant. We also made observations about how ants have six legs and we have two; how they use their antennae to feel and smell (and how silly that would be if we had noses on our hands!); and about how ants have three body parts - head, thorax and abdomen.

Our first art project was to create an "ant's picnic". We made a checkered tablecloth with sponges and red paint and then used a pencil eraser to create the three body parts of the ant.

We looked at pictures of ants to learn more about the body parts before starting the project.

We then took a little break from art to make and eat our snack for the day - ants on a log using celery, sun butter and raisins.

Our second art project of the day was to make ants out of egg cartons. The children loved realizing that the egg cartons made the perfect three segments for the body parts of the ant - head, abdomen and thorax. And then with the addition of pipe cleaners, they can have six legs and two antennae.

We then headed out to the garden to play and explore. We had fun with sand and worked with the properties of magnets, too. In the photos below, the magnet is under the table and being used to pull the paper clips around. It's like magic!