Insects and bugs Word Search

Use it before a bug hunt, in a science center or on a rainy day. Three levels share the theme. After solving, ask children to sort the creatures into flying and crawling, or to find which ones are not true insects, like SPIDER or CENTIPEDE. For a class project, use My own words and type up to 30 bugs they found. Use the 5 versions switch to hand each child a sheet.

This list teaches real bug names, and also stages of life: LARVA, PUPA and CATERPILLAR. Easy has short common words such as ANT, FLY and GNAT. Medium includes BEETLE, HORNET, CICADA and MANTIS, with unusual letter patterns. Hard brings CENTIPEDE, MILLIPEDE and DRAGONFLY, where children can see that some bugs are named for what they look like. Note that SPIDER, CENTIPEDE and MITE are not insects, a good point to raise with older children.

For ages 5 to 7, Easy has 9 short words on the smallest board. Grades 2 to 4 can step up to Medium and its diagonals. Hard suits grade 4 and up. Take the sheet outside and tick off any bug you spot. Keep the answer key for the last stuck word.

Are all of these bugs actually insects?

No. SPIDER, MITE, TICK, CENTIPEDE and MILLIPEDE are not insects. It makes a good science question: ask older children to sort the list into insects and other creatures.

Which stage-of-life words are on the list?

LARVA, PUPA and CATERPILLAR appear on Medium and Hard. Use them to talk about how a butterfly or beetle changes as it grows. Ask children what each stage looks like.

What is a good level for a six year old who loves bugs?

Easy. It has 9 short words like ANT, BEE and FLY in a 10x10 grid, running across and down. A bug-loving six year old usually finishes it and asks for more.