CREEPY BUG & DUCK MATCH: TACTILE DISCRIMINATION FUN

 

Oh No! Bugs have crawled into the candy pumpkin pail.

Whatever shall we do?

Are you brave enough to find the bugs in the pumpkin pail?

If you have little ones between the ages of 3 and 6, this activity is perfect to practice tactile discrimination and have fun while doing so. Very little preparation is needed and the supplies are quite inexpensive—which makes for a quick rainy October day indoor activity.

Creepy Bug and Halloween Duck Match

Activity Description: Children will describe bugs or ducks by their physical attributes. They will close their eyes to feel the differences in each item. They will then find the match to the bug or duck that has been placed into the jack-o-lantern.

Age Range: 3-6

Time to complete: 20-30 minutes

MATERIALS:
Plastic pumpkin (jack-o-lantern)
Set of ducks or plastic bugs
Scissors
Glue gun and glue sticks
Paper
Rubber shelf liner, silicone mat, or thick cardstock

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prior to conducting the activity, create the covered pumpkin.

A. Trace the top of the pumpkin onto white paper. Cut out the traced circle to use as a template.

 

B. Use the white circle template to cut a circle out of the rubber shelf liner, making the circle about 1/16” larger to assure coverage.

 

C. Fold the circle in half and cut 2 lines that are large enough to fit the children’s hands, bugs, and ducks through the hole.

 

D. Glue the rubber circle to the top of the pumpkin with the glue gun.

2. Place the bugs in front of the children.

3.Discuss how the bugs look different (other than color).
4. Ask the children to close their eyes and describe the bugs.
*5. Optional Modification: For younger children, conduct a practice sort:
A. Place 2 sets of bugs in front of them, ask them to close their eyes and by touch alone, find the bugs that are the same shape.
B. Repeat until all sets of bugs are included.
6. Place one set of the bugs into the pumpkin. Place the other set in front of the pumpkin.

7. Take turns selecting a bug, reaching into the pumpkin, and identifying the match to the bug.

8. Repeat with the Halloween Ducks.

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