10 Cool Bug Toys in 2018

The best way to study other living organisms is in their natural environment, out there in the wild. We’re not saying that your child should also venture into the wilderness. What we are saying is that he or she can take some twigs, grass, or even fallen leaves where insects happen to reside and then place these altogether inside the Toysmitth Backyard Exploration Critter Case. Just think of it as a dog kennel kind of temporary shelter for bugs, critters, and insects so your kid can get to study them a lot closer and with their natural environment partially undisturbed. The Backyard Exploration Critter Case may not be your idea of insect toys but it sure can provide a fantastic opportunity for children to safely observe insects and critters a lot closer and without the risk of being bitten, stung, or even left with very itchy substances. The Critter Case has flattened base to help secure it against accidental tipping over or being knocked over. The tubular body is made of high grade plastic screen frame and completed with mesh fabric on both sides of the case. There’s a hatch that can be easily opened so your child can easily deposit and remove plants, twigs, branches, leaves, and even his or her insect guests. The Critter Case comes with a sturdy carry handle for optimum transportation.

BENEFITS

This sturdy build is best for wild adventurers. It can hold sticks and leaves along with the bugs which gives a better observation in the natural environment. With the ability to hold a lot, high energy kids can collect whatever they would like, keeping busy for hours. The mesh give a view from multiple angles for maximum observation. The simplistic design of the door makes it easy for little ones to open and close while working on their hand-eye coordination. When you’re done playing with these bugs, it’s simple to dump out and start collecting again.

Pros

• Not easily spilled
• Simple design
• Large observation area
• Safe for bugs

Cons

• Some bugs might chew through mesh
• Door doesn’t lock shut

Nothing worse than bugs getting into the kitchen especially when it is gross. This fun game allows two to four players to engage in a board game that allows each player to have their turn at catching the bug as it scuttles through the maze on the game board. When it is the players turn the use the eating utensils to guide the bug into their trap. The quickest player to trap the bug will be the winner of that round and receive a token. Once a player has received five tokens they are the winner. It is a fast-paced game that offers an average playing time of 20 minutes. Included with the game are the; game board, the special edition bug, bug tokens, dice, and trap doors. It is easy to play and recommended for children ages 6 and up. Family game night will never be the same after this game.

BENEFITS

Stimulating children’s minds with fast-paced board games is one of the simplest ways to explore their skills while also fostering their sense of completion and developing their fine motor skills. This is one of the most diverse bug games that are great for developmental skill building. It offers a specialized theme while also promoting great skill building.

Pros

• Games include; game board, movable utensils, bug tokens, die, trap doors
• Features easy to read the instruction booklet
• Playing time runs 20 mins
• Promotes cognitive developmental skills
• Encourages development of fine motor skills

Cons

• Bug gets stuck in the corner of the game board
• Dice are poor quality and fade easily

If you can remember the classic fishing game where you have wooden blocks of fish fully embedded with rings that you’d have to hook, the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Bug-Catching Puzzle Game is just that. It’s a wonderful wooden puzzle that features insects in the garden like a grasshopper, a butterfly, a spider, a firefly, a caterpillar, a dragonfly, a bee, a ladybug, and a moth. Your kids will have plenty of fun catching these insects with his or her magnetic net which will stick to the magnets atop each of these lovely insects. Melissa & Doug has always been known for incorporating a variety of learning concepts in their toys. In the Bug-Catching Puzzle Game, kids are destined to expand their vocabulary with the names of these insects and help enhance their language development. Kids, too, can master their spatial intelligence, motor and visual coordination, and balance to fish these insect toys from the puzzle board. It even helps reinforce their knowledge of colors. Just think of the Bug-Catching Puzzle Game as a very bug-gy board game designed specifically for young kids.

BENEFITS

This traditional fishing game has a fun, colorful twist. These insects pieces are caught by a magnetic “net” which develops hand-eye coordination. While actively playing, kids can also expand their vocabulary and knowledge of our outdoor environment. It is engaging and fuels children’s imagination. Ages 3 and up can be inspired to explore and pushed to increase their curiosity. Children are also encouraged to be independent with this solo game and grow their fine motor skills and use of tools.

Pros

• Colorful and eye-catching
• Engaging learning tool
• Adds knowledge of nature and the environment
• Improves hand-eye coordination
• Easy to use for toddler age children

Cons

• Puzzle pieces may become lost

For those who are familiar with sport fishing where you catch a fish, take some measurements, admire the beauty of the catch, document the whole thing, and then release the fish back into the water, then they will also understand just what the Carson BugView is all about. The mechanism of the BugView is pretty much similar to a fishing rod, hook, and line following a catch and release protocol. Kids will be catching insects with the BugView, trapping the bugs in the device’s clear dome, and observe the bugs or critters through the clear dome. Catching bugs is made humanely possible and easier, too. It doesn’t involve squishing or even destroying the natural habitat of these critters. Best of all, the clear dome can actually magnify its contents – your bugs – up to 5 times, thanks to an integrated acrylic lens in the design. Our suggestion is for kids to try operating the BugView on some toy bugs first to gain confidence in the use of the device. Once confidence has been established, then they can readily set out in the backyard and hunt for their own bugs. Just remind them to release the poor creatures after done examining them, though.

BENEFITS

This bug view is perfect for a budding scientist who has already developed some coordination. The viewing window allows you to observe the finest details on all types of insects. With this, kids never have to touch the bugs and risk getting bit or hurting them. The sliding door captures them safely and you can immediately release them as soon as you’re done watching them. Even parents love being able to catch and relocate uninvited guests found in the house.

Pros

• Magnified view
• Safe way to capture bugs
• One year limited warranty
• Perfect for catch and release

Cons

• Can be difficult to operate

For kids who already had a terrarium or even an aquarium, they already know how it’s like to watch animals grow in their habitat. That’s exactly what the Insect Lore Ladybug Growing Kit Toy promises. These are not insect toys for kids because these are habitats that are designed specifically for raising beautiful ladybugs from larvae. Each purchase of the Ladybug Growing Kit entitles you to a voucher which you can use to obtain 15 to 20 ladybug larvae which will be shipped separately. Also included in the larvae shipment are special instructions on the care of these immature bugs and their special food. Your kid can then place the larvae in the volcano diorama where these will form cocoons and emerge as beautiful Francis’ from A Bug’s Life. The whole experience will be priceless as your kid gets to grow these lovely insects right in the comfort of home. There are special gels on the volcano reservoir for the larvae to thrive on. The dome of the Insect Lore is built like one huge magnifying glass so kids can easily see their work in progress. We strongly recommend, however, that kids release the ladybugs a few days after turning into adult forms so they can work their wonders in your garden.

BENEFITS

Kids love to watch the life cycle of ladybugs while learning about their transformations. After the bugs are done with their metamorphosis, you can release them into your yard so they can benefit your garden. Then the life cycle can start over again in your backyard. This is also perfect for classroom settings. The dome lid allows viewing from all angles as the larvae grow into adult ladybugs. We recommend young biologists to keep a journal to record all observations like activity level and how they transform.

Pros

• Educational tool
• Magnifier at the top
• 360-degree view
• Includes watering area and food
• Repurchase larvae over again

Cons

• Some insects may not survive
• Requires maintenance

Designed specifically for pretend and play activities, the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Bag of Bugs are just the perfect insect toys for kids who love nothing else but to explore their natural environment. Now, parents can feel more confident and more secure every time their kids set out in the garden in search of colorful bugs as you will be using the Sunny Patch critters as wonderful hide-and-hunt tools to train your child’s observational and exploratory skills. It can also be played as a sorting game since the sturdy plastic insect toys come as two of each kind. So you get a pair of centipedes, grasshoppers, June beetles, ants, and ladybugs. These also come in vibrant colors so kids can also use color as a sorting parameter. Their language abilities as well as motor skills can also be enhanced just playing with the Sunny Patch bugs. These are very friendly insects that will never bite your kid.

BENEFITS

These colorful bugs can be used for numerous games. Little ones can learn to count, sort and match with the 10 creepy crawlies. Add some outdoor time by playing in your yard to hunt for these fun critters while working on color recognition. This sturdy plastic is safe and well made so kids can be entertained for hours without fear of breaking off pieces. Recreating “bug homes” and different environments pushes children to develop their imagination and creates a love of nature and all creatures.

Pros

• Bright, fun colors
• Tactical stimulation
• Well made, sturdy plastic
• Variety of bugs
• Multitude of games to play

Cons

• Not realistic looking

Catching bugs is a fun mission to send the kids on. This personal bug and insect trap is just the tool to send them with. The tool allows kids to safely catch bugs and then release without harming the bugs or themselves during the process. Plus not direct contact is made with the bugs. The bug catcher is constructed from plastic that is environmentally friendly and chemical free. It features a long handle and soft bristles that gently enclose the insect while not allowing them to escape. This gives them a quick response time to catch the bug and then be able to quickly release when ready. It is the best and safest way to help kids explore their bug sense.

BENEFITS

Teaching kids about bugs and how to respectfully and reposefully catch bugs to inspect them is a lesson that will last throughout their lives. Being able to explore nature and learning about the details of the earth is one of the best gifts that you can give a child. Mother Nature is a wonderful subject.

Pros

• Long reaching arm keeps bugs safely away
• Gentle long catching bristles
• Easy to use and operate
• Encourages exploration of nature
• Promotes fine motor skill development

Cons

• Works best for larger insects
• Hard to catch insects on soft surfaces

Looking for real insect toys? How about the Wild Republic’s 10-piece Polybag Insect? These are way better-looking, more realistic than the other toy bugs we have in this particular list. The details of each of these creatures are so life-like that you wouldn’t really believe them to be playthings. At the very least, this should help young children hold these creatures without having to worry about getting nasty bites or itchiness because these can supplant the real creatures they represent. These bugs are also huge and are constructed of very durable materials. These also make for superb décor in your kid’s room. However your little one intends to play with these, he or she is guaranteed to have a better understanding of these members of the animal kingdom.

BENEFITS

These life-like, giant bugs are perfect for some fun education. The bugs are unique types of beetles and insects that kids can learn about. Kids can see all the details up close without fear of bug bites or stings. Adults can even use these in a classroom setting for everyone to learn about all the different species of bugs. The accurate details can teach kids about anatomy and create a compassion for all creatures.

Pros

• Realistic
• Variety of insects
• Durable with a high-quality construction
• Detailed and colorful
• Cultivates creativity

Cons

• Might have trouble figuring out what species the insects are

It’s never too early to introduce members of the insect world to infants or babies. In fact, if you’re going to get the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Bug Jug Fill and Spill Soft Baby Toy, we promise you your baby will appreciate you for life. The Bug Jug is actually a see-through jug that comes with a lid made of mesh. There’s only one function of the Bug Jug: to provide a home to 4 lovable, plush, and adorable bugs that include a butterfly, a grasshopper, a ladybug, and a spider. What’s amazing is that these 4 little friends come with built-in sensory toys such as a rattle, a squeaker, a crinkle, and a jingle bell. These are important for auditory stimulation. Helping develop babies’ tactile senses are the different fabric materials used in the construction of each of these bugs, not to mention how soft they feel to the touch. And with soft yet lovable colors, too, you have just completed the troika of sensory development for infants.

BENEFITS

This interesting toy is one of a kind. The concept is still simple enough for younger kids to increase their fine motor skills. There are different rattles, squeaks and crinkles for babies to explore and work on sensory development. Bright and fun patterns are perfect to start introducing colors. Perfectly developed for little hands to practice “filling and spilling” and develop their hand-eye coordination.

Pros

• Sensory development
• Improves fine motor skills
• Lid is attached
• Bright and colorful
• Fosters imagination

Cons

• Some kids may have difficulty with the small opening

Ladybugs are one of the coolest and neatest bugs on the planet and this habitat allows kids to learn, explore, and watch them through their cycle of life. The set includes diorama style enclosure, details instruction booklet, magnifying glass built into the lid, and volcano themed water reservoir. When purchasing the kit it also comes with a voucher for ladybug larva that will be shipped separately. Kids will be able to watch the larvae grow into full-size ladybugs. The larvae are able to eat and drink then form a cocoon that will then emerge the full-size bug. Each life cycle of these bugs is truly mesmerizing.

BENEFITS

Teaching kids about the life cycle and allowing them to explore their creativity with this kit is easy. It includes everything that is needed to let the kids receive a full hand on learning experience. This will be a wonderful life journey to take with your kids.

Pros

• Kit designed for classroom or home use
• Includes diorama style enclosure
• Ladybug larvae ship separately from the kit
• Teaches a lesson on bug life cycle
• Encourages hands-on learning

Cons

• Best if purchased during ladybug session, spring is best
• Water is hard to get into the volcano themed reservoir