Simplicity Happens

This activity is available for purchase in the Simplicity Happens shop. Read on to find out more!

It’s nature time! My son loves going on adventures in our yard and looking for bugs. He could spend hours catching bugs with his bug catcher! So today, we are going to be working on colors and counting with this cute ladybug activity. I’ve created this interactive activity for my three-year-old son to support his color and counting knowledge.

The contents of this activity, such as text, graphics, images, information, as well as other material and content contained in this activity are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development.

This activity features language and cognitive development concepts children learn throughout their early childhood years as a toddler, preschooler, and within their early elementary school years. Specific age milestone information can be found with a simple internet search!

I want to continue working with my son on sorting and learning about colors!

First, let’s print and laminate (optional but recommended for multiple use) the leaf background sheet and ladybug cutouts. The ladybugs are all on one page and come in the following colors:  red, green, orange, blue, yellow, purple, black, brown, pink and white.

Then, cut out the individual ladybugs. The ladybug cutouts will be used for matching the color of the ladybug to the corresponding leaf. 

Then, place dot adhesives (soft side) on the individual ladybug cutouts. Put dot adhesives (rough side) on the leaves. Note: Adult Supervision is required. Use caution with the magnets, dot adhesives, and small pieces as they are not intended for use with children under the age of 3. Please use caution and supervise your child with the dot adhesives, magnets and small pieces when working on this activity. Only work on activities that you feel are safe for your child. Warning: Choking Hazard. Children under 3 should not participate in any activities that involve small pieces.

Is your child under 3? This activity includes a modified version of this activity available in bigger print for younger toddlers. Small pieces, magnets, and dot adhesives are not intended for use with the bigger print activities. Please remember that adult supervision is required with all activities shared and/or purchased on Simplicity Happens. Just a kind reminder to stay safe and have fun while learning with your little ones!

I used adhesive dots (soft side) on the back of the individual ladybug cutouts.

I used adhesive dots (rough side) on the leaves. I plan to hole-punch the leaf background scene to store within my son’s interactive play binder.

Now all of the materials are ready for your little one to have fun!

Step 1: Sort/Match the Ladybugs by Color

First, he sorts the ladybugs into groups.

First, he sorts the blue and orange ladybugs.
Next, he sorts the purple ladybug but needs some support from mom. Is that ladybug orange or purple? “Purple,” he responds!
Now, he’s figured it out! Great job!
Then, he sorts the red, green, brown, pink, and black ladybugs. Awesome!
Last, he sorts the last few ladybugs including the brown ladybugs! Great!
He sorted all of the ladybugs! Nice work!

Next, he matches the ladybugs by color.

First, he matches the blue ladybug! Great job!
Next, he matches the black ladybug! Awesome!
Then, he matches the pink ladybug! Oops! A little help from mom. Is that ladybug orange or pink? He responds, “Pink.”
Then, he figures it out! Great work!
He continues on and matches the brown ladybug.
The red ladybug…
The yellow ladybug…
And the green ladybugs, orange ladybugs, and pink ladybugs.
Lastly, he matches the red ladybug and the yellow ladybug.
He matched all of the ladybugs! Nice work!

Step 2: Receptive Labeling

This activity can be used for receptively labeling colors.

First, my son and I go through the colors together. I want to determine his ability to identify the colors when I name them. This demonstrates his ability to receptively label colors.

First, we work on receptive labeling:

I ask him to, “Point to the yellow ladybugs. Great job!
I ask him to, “Point to the purple ladybugs.” Awesome!
I ask him to, “Point to the green ladybugs. Nice job!
I ask him to, “Point to the brown ladybugs.”
I ask him to, “Point to the red ladybugs.”
I ask him to, “Point to the blue ladybugs.”
I ask him to, “Point to the purple ladybugs.
I ask him to, “Point to the white ladybugs and black ladybugs. Lastly, I ask him to, “Point to the green ladybugs.” If he needs support, I point to the green ladybugs and tell him, “Here are the green ladybugs. Now you point to the green ladybugs.” Then, I tell him what a great job he did showing me all of the colors!

Step 3: Expressive Labeling

This activity can be used for expressively labeling colors.

First, my son and I go through the colors together. I want to determine his ability to name the colors when I ask, “What color is this?” This demonstrates his ability to expressively label colors.

Now we work on expressive labeling:

I point to the blue ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “Blue.” Great job!
I point to the white ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “White.” Awesome!
I point to the green ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “I need help.” I support him by saying, “These ladybugs are green. Now you tell me what color these ladybugs are?” He responds, “Green.” Nice work!
I point to the pink ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “Pink.”
I point to the red ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “Red.”
I point to the brown ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” My son responds, “Brown.”
After working through the black, orange, and purple ladybugs, I point to the yellow ladybugs and ask, “What color are these ladybugs?” He responds, “Yellow.” If he needs support, I point to the ladybugs and say, “These are the yellow ladybugs. Now you tell me what color they are.” After he responds, I tell him what a great job he did telling me about each color!

Once we are finished playing with this activity, we clean up and store the ladybugs in this zip pouch for later use.

What did you and your little ones enjoy most about this activity? Let me know in the comments below!

This activity is available for purchase in the Simplicity Happens Store! If interested in similar activities, subscribe to the Simplicity Happens Newsletter which gives you access to over 20 free activities combined in the Activity Garden and monthly email newsletter!

3 Thoughts on “Ladybug & Leaves Color Sorting Busy Book Activity!”

  • I purchased the ladybug activity for my 3-year old grandson and he absolutely loves it! He likes to stick the colored ladybugs to the matching colored layout and see the completed ladybug mat. Then he removes the pieces and repeats. When he is finished playing this activity, he places the ladybugs in a plastic bag along with the mat and moves it to a designated storage container for next time.

    I definitely see how this activity has helped his eye-hand coordination, memorization and color matching ability. Also, he is understanding the importance of organization. I will be purchasing additional sets since they are educational, important to his growth and development, and very inexpensive.

    Thank you SimplicityHappens.com!

    Reply

    • Hi Rebecca! I appreciate you letting me know. I didn’t realize some of my products had been put into draft mode. They are back out there if you are still interested. I apologize for the inconvenience. I do have a really cute fish color sorting busy book activity in the Activity Garden as well! It’s very similar to the ladybug activity!

      Reply

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