We’re using our jars to make a mason jar craft which is a fun ant farm. Also, look at this Free Ant Unit Study for more fun ideas.
Using a simple mason jar your kids can spend hours watching the fascinating life of an ant. Besides, your kids can peek at the way they dig tunnels and build their little city all in your home.
And you can use a clean and clear plastic filled container or clear glass jar, whatever you have on hand.
Once you fill your container your can see the ants go to work.
Inside the ant farm you can see how they work, how they build and how they live.
They work together and even problem solve. If you have a science journal, take notes and do drawings to see how the ant farm changes.
BOOKS ABOUT ANTS FOR KIDS
Then add some of these fun books about ants to your reading day.
9 Ant Books & Resources For Kids
Add some of these fun books about ants to your home library.
Did you ever wonder where an ant goes when it disappears into an anthill? Underneath the hill, there are miles of tunnels and hundreds of rooms!
In this Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (NSTA/CBC), Arthur Dorros uses simple, easy-to-understand words and colorful illustrations to guide early readers on the life of a harvester ant—and even shows readers how to build their own ant farms.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:
Not mighty in size, but mighty in resourcefulness and industry, the ant has crawled the earth since prehistoric times. It has dwelt in rainforest tree trunks and acorns of oak trees, beneath logs, and under sidewalks. It has protected forests by capturing insects, cleared weeds away from acacia trees, and by growing gardens has released important nutrients into the soil. Seed lifters, dirt diggers, social beings, ants have the most advanced brain of all insects! So watch where you step, especially on a warm day: a small but mighty ant may be underfoot.
Exactly as the title implies. A description of the daily routine of an ant's life cycle.
Please note that this book is not for toddlers. It is better for children ages 8 and up.This engaging and informative book introduces kids to the world of ants.This fun book is packed with cool facts, illustrations, and pictures of ants.It's perfect for inspiring kids to learn more about these amazing creatures. Whether it's a science fair project, a report, or for pure enjoyment, this book is a great source of information for the ant enthusiast.
- Educational Journey: The Life Cycle of an Ant Set takes children on an enlightening journey from the tiny white eggs to the industrious adult ants. The set includes figurines depicting four stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult ant.
- Realistic Representation: The set accurately mirrors the development stages and colors of ants, making it a powerful educational tool that blends learning and play.
Ants are scurrying, social creatures with unique abilities to carry huge loads, work as a team, and fiercely protect their colony. This book gives you a microscopic look into the hidden world of ants, answering all your big questions about our small, hardworking neighbors. Learn fun facts about flat headed Turtle Ants, wide-eyed Gigantiops, and many more. Explore colorful photos and cool profiles on how big each ant is, what they eat, where they're found, and more!
Down beneath the ground they are herded, to the city under the back steps and the complex world of the ant colony. Here where the haughty Queen rules with an iron hand, each of her subjects has a vital role to perform, and Jill and Craig are put to work. But no sooner had they become involved in the daily routine of the colony when an army of red ants sweeps down, threatening the destruction of the city and its
inhabitants, including Jill and Craig!
Evelyn Sibley Lampman's exciting fantasy, sure to ignite an interest in nature, accurately explores the fascinating hierarchy of the ant world.
Avon the snail has never had an adventure. And adventure, he has heard, is the key to a happy life. So with his new friend Edward the ant, Avon sets out on a journey to find the excitement his life has been missing.This modern fable is filled with funny--and profound--insights about the meaning of things . . . great and small.
A clear, simple text and full-color, richly detailed artwork journey inside an ant colony to provide a close-up look at the lives, behavior, and life cycle of this fascinating insect.
Next, look at more mason jar crafts for fun hands-on projects.
MORE MASON JAR CRAFTS
- 10 Creative Mason Jar Crafts | How to Make a Winnie the Pooh Craft
- Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers,
- Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft
- Easy Fall Crafts To Make And Sell By Kids & Scarecrow Candy Jar
Finally look at how to build this fun ant farm.
MASON JAR ANT FARM
First, look at this short list of supplies:
- 1 clean mason jar
- 1 empty toilet paper roll
- Dirt from outside
- A spoon or toy shovel
- Ants (safely collected from your yard)
- Small piece of mesh or breathable fabric
- Rubber band
- Optional: sugar water or tiny crumbs for feeding
Prepare the Jar:
Start with a clean, empty mason jar.
Add the Toilet Paper Roll:
Stand the empty toilet paper roll upright in the center of the jar.
This helps direct the ants to tunnel near the glass, so kids can easily observe their digging behavior.
Fill with Dirt:
Carefully scoop dirt into the space between the toilet paper roll and the glass. Lightly press it down as you go, but don’t pack it too tightly.
Most importantly, leave some space at the top of the jar.
This gives ants room to crawl around above ground and makes it easier for kids to watch their movement before they start tunneling.
Add the Ants:
Gently collect ants from your yard using a spoon or toy shovel.
Try to gather ants from the same colony, and avoid any that bite or sting. Carefully place them on top of the dirt inside the jar.
Seal the Jar Safely:
Cover the top of the jar with a piece of breathable mesh or fabric and secure it with a rubber band. This allows air to flow in while keeping curious ants from escaping.
Feed and Observe:
Place the jar in a cool, shaded spot out of direct sunlight. Every few days, add a drop of sugar water or a small crumb for the ants. Mist the soil lightly with water if it begins to dry out.
Watch as the ants explore the top and eventually start building tunnels along the glass.
Release After Observation:
After a few days to a week, gently return the ants to the spot where you found them.
