Firefly Activities, Crafts, and Book Recommendations

Fireflies or lightning bugs are fascinating insects. They are a hallmark of summer in so many places. Kids love to learn about them. I’ve gathered a wonderful collection of firefly activities, crafts, and book recommendations. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.

Firefly Activities

Learn how to attract fireflies so you can observe them up close or catch them for a short period of time. Post includes facts about fireflies and conservation suggestions.

Learn about a firefly’s life cycle with a light up paper circuit from Share It Science.

This sewn circuit firefly craft from Teach Beside Me is simply adorable. Plus it’s a fun way to learn about how circuits work.

Teach Beside Me also has origami firefly paper circuits. Learn how to make an origami firefly and then add a simple LED paper circuit to light it up.

Left Brain Craft Brain has a template for making a lightning bug paper circuit card. This would make a cute card for Father’s Day or giving to someone special. Anne also has a suggestion for helping younger kids create the cards.

Explore symmetry with a LEGO firefly. Build a firefly out of LEGO and then discuss the symmetry involved with this idea from Crafty Kids at Home.

Learn about the parts of a firefly while making this glowing firefly craft from Teaching Mama.

Practice learning letters with this Catch a Firefly Alphabet Match activity from The Kindergarten Connection.

Work on beginning letter sounds with these Firefly Initial Sound Clip Cards from The Letters of Literacy.

Try this Firefly Jar Fine Motor Activity from Pre-K Pages.

Firefly Crafts

Make your own glow in dark firefly jar. Take the fireflies’ glow inside with this simple craft idea from Come Together Kids.

Glow sticks are used in this glowing firefly craft from Kitchen Counter Chronicles.

Use a paper towel roll to make this lovely firefly craft from Buggy and Buddy.

Make a firefly suncatcher. I Heart Arts n Crafts has the tutorial.

Build a pinecone firefly like this one from Fireflies and Mudpies.

Here’s another cute little firefly craft from Craftulate. This one uses paper and paint.

Make fireflies with plastic Easter eggs. Emma Owl has the directions.

Create beaded lightning bugs that glow in the dark with this tutorial from I Heart Crafty Things.

Kids Activities Blog has a firefly craft made from a wooden ice cream spoon.

Make bandage lightning bugs with this idea from No Time for Flashcards.

Firefly Book Recommendations

How to Survive As a Firefly

How to Survive as a Firefly by Kristen Foote tops my list. My kids and I are in love with this one. We were sent a copy for review. Learn about the life cycle of a firefly through humor, fun facts, and fabulous illustrations. The fireflies in the book are adorable and are hilarious. The book is packed full of information about fireflies. Check out all of the activities and printables available to go along with the book on the How to Survive books series website from The Innovation Press.

Living Lights: Fireflies in Your Backyard

Living Lights: Fireflies in Your Backyard is another good choice for a non-fiction book about fireflies. The information is succinct and to the point. Perfect for elementary ages looking to learn more about lightning bugs/fireflies.

The Very Lonely Firefly

Eric Carle’s The Very Lonely Firefly is classic book about a little firefly searching for other fireflies. You could use the book to talk about how fireflies are attracted to lights. Fireflies flash their lights to communicate with each other. Turning off outside lights at night can help fireflies. One thing to note about the beginning of Eric Carle’s book: the first line reads, “As the sun set, a little firefly was born.” Fireflies hatch from eggs into a larva stage (similar to a caterpillar).

It’s a Firefly Night

It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochitree will transport you to a summer evening of catching fireflies. Betsy Snyder’s bright illustrations captivate the reader’s attention. The book has a few fun facts about fireflies at the end of the book.

Sam and the Firefly

Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman is an interesting story about Sam, the owl, and Gus, the firefly. Gus has fun using his light to draw words in the sky. But then, he gets carried away and starts playing tricks on people with his words. Sam tries to convince him to stop but Gus is having too much fun until he gets caught. Sam swoops in and saves the day.

Good Night, Firefly

Good Night Firefly by Gabrial Alborozo is a mostly black and white picture book with a few pops of color (the fireflies). Nina’s nightlight goes out one night and she can’t sleep. She notices all of the bright lights twinkling outside. She captures a firefly in a jar and takes it back to her room so she can sleep. Soon she notices the firefly’s light is growing dim. Thankfully she does the right thing and releases the firefly back into the night.

Ten Flashing Fireflies

Ten Flashing Fireflies by Philemon Sturges is a counting book with fireflies. Count them one by one as you capture them in a jar. With a similar message as Goodnight Firefly, the captured fireflies don’t do so well in the jar. The children release them and watch them fly away one by one.

Leo the Lightning Bug

Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman is a story about a little lightning bug who cannot turn on his light. Embarrassed, Leo find a secret place to practice his glow. Other lightning bugs see him make fun of his efforts. Leo eventually learns how to turn on his light and is proud of himself. Overall, this is a lovely story about failure, perseverance, and accepting differences.

Do you have any favorite books about fireflies for us to read?

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This post was originally published on June 18, 2018.