As it runs, it leaves a trail that other ants in the hill can smell. The ants find the food by smelling their way along the trail. I use a chicken leg, cookie, strawberry, and a watermelon slice. Using plastic ants, see how many ants it takes to cover each food and record answer. As they spread out the food and begin eating, they notice that there are ants crawling on the food, and then up their arms.
Hunt Go outside with magnifying glasses and hunt for ants.
Dramatic Play Make a big box into a picnic basket. Now kids can pretend to be ants around a picnic basket. Add play food for them to carry away. You can make long tube shapes, stuffed, then sewed onto a band for tying around child's waist. You can make antennae by using pipe cleaners and head bands.