Throughout the month of February 2021, we will be focusing our studies on insects and will be using inspiration from The Insects Field Guide. We are encouraging families in the community to share their insect-themed activities, resources, books, and ideas online by sharing on Instagram and tagging us, using the hashtag #TLOLInsects, or joining our Facebook Community.

Create an Insect Habitat for Observation

You can create an observation tank using a clear box such as a storage box or an old fish tank. You’ll need to be observant of what your insects need and do some research. Be sure that they have ground, the plants they prefer, shelter, food and water. Only keep insects in your observation tank for one day to avoid harming them.

Learn and Use Observation Skills

Consider the different ways that you can observe creatures, and particularly insects. What are you looking for when you watch them? What are you taking mental or written note of to help you identify creatures? Spend time writing and drawing observation ques which you can take with you on your outings. Consider questions you’d like to find out the answers to, such as, size, habitat, colour, markings, features, activities, noises, in a group or individual?

Make an Insect ‘Hotel’

There are lots of great tutorials online for all kinds of ‘Bug Hotels’. One day you can gather your materials and another you can construct the ‘hotel’. There are all kinds of habitats we can create for different pollinators and insects; bee houses made from bamboo or other tubular materials, insect hotels which use a variety of materials and attract all different insects and water trays with pebbles for pollinators. There are lots of ways to provide shelter and water to insects.

Attract Insects with a White Sheet

Use a white piece of fabric of card to study insects. You can hold the sheet under a tree or bush and rustle the leaves or branches. Small insects may fall onto the sheet and give you an opportunity to view them. Be sure to take a magnifying glass with you. You can also place a piece of white paper or card on the grass, or ground and see what appears. Often flying insects are attracted to the bright paper and land on it.

Go on a Bug Hunt

Write a list of insects, or make your own scavenger hunt with pictures and take it with you on a walk. See how many of your insects you can tick off in one outing.