Assemble a home, observe and learn about the insects next door.
Bugs might be small but they do some very big jobs!
Building a bug hotel is a simple way for kids to explore outdoors, use their hands and care for the tiny creatures that share our world.
You only need a few things – most can be found right outside!
1. Go on a nature hunt
Head outdoors together and look for natural materials. Search under bushes, beside trees around the yard or stoup.
2. Build your bug hotel
Take the empty toilet paper roll and fill it tightly with your materials. Start with sticks, add some leaves and any other natural item you collected. Keep packing until it feels snug and full – bugs love cozy spaces!
3. Find the perfect spot
Now it’s time for guests to move in. Place the bug hotel outside near a bush, tree, or structure. Pick a quiet, shady place that stays dry.
4. Wait and watch
Check back after a few days. Who has moved in? Look carefully – you might spot beetles or tiny spiders exploring their new home.
Draw and name three of your bug visitors.
You can make a little “Bug Guestbook” to keep track of who checks in!
This simple activity encourages children to step outside, breathe fresh air and connect with nature, even the smallest parts of it.
These activities are designed for family fun and learning. Parents, guardians, and other caretakers are responsible for supervising children at all times to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Bring your bird adventures to life with our My Bird Watch Journal! A printable one-page sheet for kids and families to record sightings, draw favorite birds, and note their songs — perfect for any season, backyard, or park.
Close your eyes and listen — nature is full of music if you know how to hear it! Birds calling, leaves rustling, bees buzzing, maybe even a frog croaking nearby. In this activity, kids become sound detectives, exploring how animals communicate and what those sounds can tell us.
Follow the footprints and discover which animals have passed by!