What are the benefits of bug hunting?
If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to spend time outdoors with your child, bug hunting is the perfect activity to try. Not only does it offer the chance to explore nature and discover fascinating creatures, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the essential role insects play in our ecosystem. Whether you’re in your own garden or venturing into the woods, bug hunting is an activity that can be enjoyed year-round. Plus, it’s a great way to help children overcome any fears they may have of bugs and develop a deeper respect for the natural world.
A few examples of insects you might see during your bug hunt and how they could help the outside world flourish:
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Caterpillars turn into butterflies, they are amazing pollinators and we need them to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables.
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Woodlice munch on and break down plant detritus, providing nutrients for the soil along the way.
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Worms help to aerate and turn over soil, improving soil structure and their poo is full of helpful nutrients.
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Ladybirds love to feast on aphids, helping to keep them at bay from our plants and vegetables.
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Spiders also have an important role to play and help to keep flies, aphids and other insects low by eating them for dinner.
Talking to your child about the benefits that come with having insects in the garden will help to ensure they respect them as you explore their world together.
If you’re looking for a wonderful outdoor activity that is easy and will fascinate your child, here are our top 5 tips for bug hunting.
1. Get your tools ready
It is easy enough to go bug spotting with nothing but your hands and eyes but there are some tools that will allow you to truly explore all the bugs you find on your hunt.
A magnifying pot or magnifying glass will help you to see lots of details up-close. Count legs, spot colours and patterns and explore texture. Is there an iridescent sheen, spots, fuzz?
Trays and pots (if you don’t have a magnifying pot) will also help you explore the bugs more thoroughly without them escaping. Make sure any containers you use have air holes to keep bugs safe, don’t keep them for too long and remember, put them back where you found them.
If you don’t want to handle bugs directly, gloves or a small spoon or scoop will help to pick them up with.
Little Muddy Booters love to make drawings of what they’ve discovered and learnt about each creepy crawly, so why don’t you try, it’s amazing what you can see just by taking a closer look.
Not sure what to look for? You will find lots of bug books and bug identification sheets online – having one to hand will help you identify all the creepy crawlies you find together. You could even get creative and make your own based on what you find.
2. Know where to look
Bugs live in all sorts of different habitats. Many prefer dark, damp spots, so this is a great place to start. Look under large stones, in long grass and in the cracks in tree bark to see what you can find. Give the ground a gentle stomp on the spot or sprinkle a watering can over a spot of soil to see if you can encourage any worms to come up out of hiding from the soil. Peek inside shrubs and see if you can spot any insects on leaves or spiders webs between branches. Be thorough and enjoy exploring different areas for different minibeasts.
3. Be prepared
Bug hunting is fun whatever the weather and to make the most of your time, one of our tips would be to be prepared. Wear sunscreen and a sun hat during the summer months. Wear wellies and waterproofs in the wet so you’re exploring isn’t limited by mud and puddles! In fact, all the better for enjoying the outdoors and making the most of a rainy day.
For more outdoor activities, read our blog post for some amazing ideas. We love to see your adventures, so be sure to share your fantastic minibeasts discoveries with Little Muddy Boots on Instagram and Facebook.
