Building a bug hotel is a fantastic way for children to connect with the natural world while supporting local wildlife. By stacking natural materials into sheltered spaces, you can create a cosy habitat for beetles, woodlice, spiders, ladybirds, and even solitary bees.
This project teaches kids about biodiversity, habitats, and seasonal change. It also offers plenty of opportunity for hands-on building, creativity, and observation—especially when your hotel starts to get its first tiny guests!
Materials Needed
- Wooden box, crate, or stack of bricks/wooden pallets
- Dry leaves, pinecones, straw, hollow sticks or bamboo canes
- Twigs, bark, stones, broken terracotta pots
- Optional: chicken wire or mesh (to hold materials in place)
Tools Needed
- Secateurs or small saw (for trimming sticks – adult use only)
- Gloves (optional, for handling rough materials)
Steps
- Choose a Spot
Pick a shady, quiet corner in the garden where bugs will feel safe and undisturbed. - Create a Structure
Use a wooden box, crate, or stack materials like pallets or bricks to build the hotel base. - Fill with Natural Materials
Layer twigs, leaves, pinecones, and other items inside the compartments or gaps. - Add Finishing Touches
Use mesh to keep materials in place if needed. Label your bug hotel with a sign if you like! - Observe and Learn
Keep checking back to see what insects have moved in—different bugs may visit throughout the seasons.
Variations
- Mini Bug Hotel: Use an old tin can filled with twigs and bamboo for a smaller version that can hang on a fence.
- Bee Zone: Create a section just for solitary bees using bundles of hollow stems or drilled wood blocks.
- Decorate It: Paint or label your hotel with the kids’ names or “Bug B&B” signs.
- Bug Spotting Journal: Keep a log of the different creatures you see over time.
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