Filling the house with creepy crawlies is what my daughter does best. But as far as I'm concerned they belong outisde, thank you very much.
Bug hunting is at the top of the list of my daughter's favourite things.
She is more than happy to search for creepy crawlies in the garden and this can result in jar upon jar of bugs crawlies taking up residence in my kitchen.
That's all, I might add, with a carefully selected and arranged habitat of flowers, leaves and slices of cucumber.
We often cultivate butterflies in a butterfly house (available from Amazon) – starting with the caterpillars and watching the life cycle, through to butterflies and some inevitable tears when we let them go. This is a really interesting project for kids. It's safe to say that at any one time I share my house with a huge array of specially chosen and lovingly named bugs. I do however draw the line at spiders.
In an effort to encourage her interest in bugs to be further away from the house we've been going on bug hunts further afield. I've been putting great emphasis on the importance of keeping things in their natural habitat and not in my kitchen.
I bought her a brilliant bug kit which comes with bug identification sheets, bug catcher and a magnified container to carry out the all important closer inspection. It also has great suggestions for bug projects, such as making a butterfly bar to attract more butterflies to the garden. No matter where we are spending our weekend, this bug kit is always thrown into the car and brought along just in case.
When we go bug hunting we always take:
- Bug identification sheets. (see the resources below)
- Magnifying glass.
- Clean washed jars with air holes in the lids.
- Hand wash gel as bug hunting can get pretty messy.
I've found some great buggy internet resources if you'd like to get your children out and about bug hunting.
- BBC Breathing places 'love a bug' downloadable guide packed with bug information and ideas for encouraging more bugs.
- RSPB downloadable bug bingo game
- Natural History Museum – UK butterfly identification chart
It's also worth remembering that the National Trust organise lots of Wild Child events particularly during school holidays and these days are always brilliant fun and a great way to encourage your child to get more involved in nature and wildlife.
One of the best things about bug hunting has to be that it's free! Even if you're not overly keen on bugs you can't complain at hours of free outdoor entertainment. What could be better?
Do your children like to bug hunt? Do you have any suggestions for great bug hunting resources or days out?
Other posts you may like
Love Wendy Mallins’s post? Read more 
7 Comments
Post a comment
You must be signed in to post to Ready for Ten.
Haven’t registered? It’s really quick and simple.
mum
12 May, 2010
Great ideas. The RSPB reserve near us at Lochwinnoch http://bit.ly/cBZzMH does some great bug gathering events. I must have a look and see if there are any soon.
12 May, 2010
And of course such activities tie-in wonderfully to the Key Stage Two National Curriculum science areas of study 'Scientific Enquiry' and 'Life Processes and Living Things'.
More about KS2 Science here: http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/science/keystage2/index.aspx
mum
12 May, 2010
Yes, they do. We've had tidgeypuds (earwigs), worms, ants, slugs. Great delight when they found a mummy slug with lots of eggs. Snail races are also a big hit.
My daughter, who's 11 now, still doesn't like me killing slugs at the allotment. Thank goodness I'm not that fond of them!
12 May, 2010
@Tim - thanks for the link - it's nice that bug hunting fits in so well with the curriculum :)
@Deb - Yeah - I do love bug loving kids! I'm not allowed to kill slugs.. I have to remove them *carefully*
@Rosie - ooo you need to get a bug kit and get out hunting :)
12 May, 2010
Mine have been bug hunting this year and it's really helped with their phobia of bees and spiders. We could do with a little more bug info' as our book is basic, so those resources look fab too. I can feel an afternoon in the park coming on.
mum
12 May, 2010
I hate creepy crawlies and anything connected with spiders. Thankfully my daughter doesn't 'freak out' as much as me at the sight of them, which has to be a good thing. I hadn't realised it was included in the National Curriculum, interesting info from Tim there. Next time we get a spider in our house I will invite your daughter round to remove it. Sounds like a useful person to know!
admin
13 May, 2010
@Wendy - thanks for the brilliant tips, I'm going to invest in a butterfly house for my 5 year old daughter as she is facinated with creatures of every size and description... I think she would thoroughly enjoy watching them grow and develop.
My 3 year old son's nursery takes the little ones to the local park to go "bug spotting" which he loves, so great that they are supporting this part of the curriculum so early on.
Leigh
Ready for Ten team