Purchase praying mantis egg pods from a local nursery or pet shop. Attach the egg pods to a tree branch in a location that is visible throughout most of the day, as you never know exactly when they will hatch. Praying mantis egg pods hatch best in early spring, when the weather begins to warm. Observe the egg pods until they hatch. Alternatively, place the egg pods in a brown paper bag and loosely fold the opening closed. Place the bag in a windowsill where it gets warmth and sunlight. Open the bag each day to check for hatched praying mantises, which are called nymphs. Count the nymphs, then let them loose in your yard or a park.
Purchase a praying mantis habitat from a nursery, pet store, education store or specialty shop and follow the instructions included with it. If no such premade habitats are available, create your own using a small fish aquarium. Fill the aquarium with soil, twigs, branches and small plants. Place the praying mantis egg pods on the twigs or branches. Cover the aquarium with netting so that no nymphs can escape, but ensure that the nymphs and plants get plenty of air. Place the aquarium in a warm, well-lit location. Once the praying mantises hatch, feed them. Nymphs eat small insects, such as aphids. Adult praying mantises will eat larger insects, such as moths or grasshoppers.
Teach children about the anatomy of praying mantises by creating a papier-mâché model. Blow up two balloons: one long and thin, one small and round. Mix 1/4 cup of white craft glue with 1/2 cup of water. Cut newspaper into 1-inch-wide strips. Soak the strips in the glue mixture and apply them to the balloons. You will need two or three layers. Fold a piece of newspaper into a triangle and soak it in the glue mixture. Tape three plastic knives together in an "S" shape and apply glue-soaked paper strips to form each of the front legs. Allow all the pieces to dry. Use a hot glue gun to attach the triangle (head), the small balloon (thorax), the long balloon (body) and the front legs to one another. Use a photograph or diagram to guide you. Paint the praying mantis green or brown. Add construction paper wings, pipe cleaner rear legs and pipe cleaner antennae.
Research praying mantises before any project involving live specimens. Remember that if you are using real praying mantises in your project, you are dealing with living creatures. Praying mantises need warmth, light, fresh air and food. Do not expose them to extreme heat or extreme cold. Release your nymphs when they hatch; a single egg pod can hatch hundreds of praying mantises, and a habitat should contain no more than one adult praying mantis.