Minibeasts are fascinating creatures that you can easily find in your own garden! You don’t need any special equipment or fancy resources to run your own self-guided minibeast hunt just an empty jam jar, paint brush and a small mirror (for looking under leaves for bugs).
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| Small copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeus) © Andrew Ramsey |
Studying minibeasts is a great way to get children interested in nature in a safe outdoor environment. It can be educational too as children are captivated by these tiny creatures especially when they find them for themselves and get to see them close up.
How to take part?
Click here to download the Buglife minibeast spotters sheet for the children to use during the hunt.
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| Shield bug (Piezodorus lituratus) © Denis Greenough |
Pick a fairly sunny time of day and head out into the garden. Work your way through the different habitats such as long grass, shrubs, turning stones or dead wood. As you explore you can tick off the creatures you have found on the spotters sheet.
You can use the jam jar to safely look at the bugs you find but remember to handle them with care and always return them back to where you found them. Take extra care when looking at bees and wasps as they can sting if you disturb them and they feel threatened. The mirror can be used to look under leaves for bugs and the paint brush to gently sweep them into your jam jar.
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| Buff tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) © Denis Greenough |
And if the weather is wet...
Why not take part in our fun children's Bug Passport activity. Draw your favourite bug, or make one up, tell us a bit about it, and send it back to Buglife for a chance to have your work displayed on our website. To take part and download the entry form, click here
For rainy days have a look at some of our other children’s activities including make a spider cake and wriggly worms. If you think you know all about bugs why not have a go at our quiz.
For children who are real bug enthusiasts click here to find out about Buglife junior membership. The membership pack includes a set of bug posters, pin badge, free bug walk and a copy of ‘Bug Buddies’ our junior newsletter.
