Cicada Activities
Worksheets, printables, and crafts
Learn about the periodical cicada with these free, hands-on crafts and activities.
Research shows that learners pay more attention and remember more with interactive education methods. Whenever possible, get outside and explore real periodical cicadas and their habitats.
The next best thing would be learning about them with some of the hands-on activities included below – everything from dioramas, 3D models, and worksheets to comics, coloring pages, and crafts.
Entomologist for a Day
What can you notice about the periodical cicadas using your five senses? Record your observations with this handy journal worksheet.
3D Cicada Model
Color, cut, and fold this craft into a 3D model of a periodical cicada. The PDF includes 2 pages, which are intended as a double-sided (front and back) print.
However, the back page mainly provides an illustration on both sides of the wings and legs, so if you need to conserve ink or toner, you can complete this craft with only Page 1.
Periodical Cicada Facts
Learn 10 interesting facts about periodical cicadas in just 2 pages.
The playful illustrations accompanying each fact are perfect for focused coloring.
Toilet Paper Roll Cicada Craft
Create a flying cicada using an empty toilet paper roll and this printable.
The printable can make two cicadas.
This craft requires 1-2 empty toilet paper rolls, some kind of coloring tools (markers, colored pencils, crayons), scissors, and glue.
3 Educational Comics About Periodical Cicadas
This zip file includes three 1-page comics explaining common misconceptions about periodical cicadas:
Are They Dangerous?
This comic briefly explains that cicadas don’t bites or sting, aren’t poisonous, and (mostly) won’t hurt your plants.
The Life Cycle of a Periodical Cicada
This comic provides a quick visual explanation of the life of a periodical cicada.
What’s That Noise?
This explains how and why cicadas make that awesome and powerful sound.
Cicada Habitat Diorama
Color and build a diorama of the periodical cicada’s habitat, complete with a partially emerged nymph, an adult cicada, and a forest background.
To complete this diorama, you will need a box that is 5 inches wide and 7.75 inches tall. It is also recommended that it is printed on cardstock if possible.
Cicada Anatomy and Word Search
Learn about cicada anatomy and then find those anatomical terms in a word search.
Lift-the-Flap Life Cycle of a Periodical Cicada
Create a lift-the-flap reveal about the periodical cicada lifecycle. The PDF includes 2 pages, which are intended as a double-sided (front and back) print.
Color the page, fold it, and cut it to create the flaps. Then label the phases of the life cycle and, under the flaps, write a description of what the cicadas do during that phase.
8 Blank Comic Templates
Feeling inspired by the Cicadapocalypse graphic novel? Make your own comic or graphic novel with these 8 pre-drawn comic layouts. Turn them up-side down or even sideways for additional layouts.
Remember: The size of each panel tells your reader how long they should spend looking at each part of the story. This is called pacing. For example, a bigger panel means the reader should pause and look at it for a long time, but lots of smaller panels usually indicates a faster-paced read.
