How to make a bug adventure

Children often love nothing more than looking for bugs, creepy crawlies and all the things nature provides. For their birthday, my kids were given a bug hunting kit each. You can easily make up your own kit for your little ones to enjoy a bug hunt…

2 ladybugs

A bug hunting kit

This is what our bug hunting kit contained and I think it is perfect for a little adventure:

  • Rucksack
  • Binoculars
  • Magnifying glass
  • Tweezers
  • Paintbrush
  • Spoon
  • Bug collection pot
  • Notepad and pen (on clipboard optional)
  • Nature spotters cards

Last week, whilst visiting the New Forest with Grandparents, we took out kit out for a mini bug adventure. We took the tall trees trail walk through the forest looking for bugs.

The children loved wearing their rucksacks trekking along, hunting around trees, under logs, in any nook and cranny they could find. They used their magnifying glasses to inspect the trees and bugs.

We found woodlice, caterpillars, centipede, worms, spiders and a few other things. It was probably not the best time of year for a bug hunt, but I know the children will want to repeat this adventure in the summer when we should find lots more bugs.

BB enjoyed taking on the role of scribe, noting down a list of all the bugs we found, whilst Pinky and Boo loved looking for the bugs on their spotter cards to see if they could put a name to their findings.

We also found a den somebody else had made, which of course was begging to be explored! The children investigated it inside and out. They walked on logs and had a few nature lessons from Nana and Grandad.

Whilst on our adventure, we came across a fallen down tree which had been torn open, so the inside was visible and you could even climb in too. It was fascinating to see and BB couldn’t wait to get inside to explore. He was so curious, looking closely at everything.

It was a lovely nature walk in a beautiful forest. The children explored, investigated, walked, learnt and had fun together. They were excited every time they found a bug and spent ages inspecting each tree we stopped at.

Give the children a few things to take on a walk, to help them investigate their environment and they love it. It encourages them to explore their natural world and discover things we live amongst without even realising. It helps keep them interested on a walk and teaches them about nature.

I would recommend making up your own bug hunting kit. We will be using ours again soon (and in the garden too).

5 thoughts on “How to make a bug adventure”

  1. Oh yes, great adventures! Boo has a bug hunting kit and loves doing this – rucksack on her back is crucial as is either a magnifying glass in hand or some binoculars

  2. When I worked in environmental education, bug hunting was always a favourite activity and one my boys still adore even though they are older.

    At the moment we have some fantastic oil beetles on the footpaths. They are ugly but also strangely beautiful as they glisten in the sun.

  3. This is such a fantastic idea, and something that I should do… My son is already scared of some creepy crawlies – I think he’s heard me screaming at spiders and hubby running away from bees, so not good role models…

    But this will definitely make it more interesting and make him less afraid, for me included!

  4. Love the kits, we are just getting interested in bugs and the outdoors here so I think my two would love something like that, looks like you had a fab time. #letkidsbekids

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