Teach little kids about science and nature with a bug themed party. Bug birthday parties do not have to cost much, and they can be a lot of fun for both parents and children.

Decorations

For younger children, it is better to use dragonfly, butterfly, or Bugs-n-Blooms’ ladybug decorations that are less “scary.” Older children might enjoy grasshopper and spider decorations as well.  It would also be fun to get the children involved with designing and setting up the ladybug decorations themselves with the assistance of adults. 

The best place to hold a bug birthday party would be outside, to create more interaction with nature.  Napkins with bug designs printed or drawn on them and plastic bugs placed on table covers can spice up the table.

Games

“Pin the spider on the web” could be a modified version of “pin the tail on the donkey.” Just use a web drawn on a poster board and a spider instead of the donkey’s tail.  The child who gets closest to the middle of the web, wins.

Another fun game called “run ants run!” would have one child selected as a leader and the rest of the kids would follow the leader around the yard. Minor obstacles can be set up around the yard like cones.  Whichever action that the leader performs, the rest of the children have to follow.  When the leader yells “run!” the children have to run back to a designated home area before the leader tags them. The last remaining child wins the game.

Food

You can find more ideas for themed foods on the Internet, than you could possibly imagine. There’s the traditional and simple “ants on a log,” which are celery stalks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins.  Butterfly or other insect-shaped crackers can be used with some type of meat and/or cheese. 

There are also several bug candies that can be used, such as gummy worms or spiders. Gummy worms can be mixed with crushed Oreos in a cup for a “worms in dirt” treat.  Drinks might include “bug juice punch” which can be as easy as mixing orange juice with green food coloring.

For a bug-themed birthday party, get a bug-shaped cake. Themed parties are a great way to round out the summer, and if done right, help them learn a little more about the world around them.