Bake a Bug

What you need:

• tempera paint
• flour
• water
• cotton balls
• cotton balls
• colored pipe cleaners
• plastic eyes
• cookie sheet
• tinfoil

What to do:

1. Explain that your child will be the creator of a new type of insect.
2. In a small bowl, mix the flour and water (approximately 1 cup water and 1/4 cup flour; the mixture should be thin).
3. Provide several cotton balls. Model how to dip the cotton balls into the mixture to lightly coat them.
4. Place the wet cotton balls onto a cookie sheet that has been covered with tinfoil. Place several cotton balls together to form one bug body — make sure they are touching one another so they will stick together when baking.
5. Insert pipe cleaners between the cotton balls to create legs and antennae.
6. Place in oven (preheated to 350°) for 15 minutes. Let cool.
7. When cool, invite your child to paint his insects with tempera paint. Glue on plastic eyes.

Learning benefits:

• Provides practice following directions
• Boosts fine-motor skills
• Encourages creativity and conversation