Activities

3D Cicada Model

Paper Craft

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 you can complete this craft with only Page 1.

Download 3D Model

Entomologist for a Day

Observation Journal

What can you notice about the periodical cicadas using your five senses? Record your observations with this handy journal worksheet.

Download Worksheet

Toilet Paper Roll Cicada Craft

Paper Craft, Coloring, Cutting

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.

Download Printable

Cicada Habitat Diorama

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.

Download Diorama

3 Educational Comics About Periodical Cicadas

Comics, Coloring Pages, Facts

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.

Download Comics

Lift-the-Flap Life Cycle of a Periodical Cicada

Double-Sided Worksheet with Folding and Cutting

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.

Download Worksheet

8 Blank Comic Templates

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. 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.

Download Templates

Cicada Anatomy and Word Search

Word Search, Worksheet

Learn about cicada anatomy and then find those anatomical terms in a word search.

Download Word search