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Build a bug hotel

Stack sticks, pinecones and hollow stems into a wildlife apartment block.

  • Outdoors
  • About an hour
  • Calm
  • Free
  • Ages 4–12

What you need

  • An old crate or box
  • Sticks
  • Pinecones
  • Dry leaves
  • Bamboo canes

How to run it

  1. Gather materials on a walk.
  2. Sort them into types — hollow, leafy, woody.
  3. Pack the crate in layers.
  4. Site it somewhere shady and check it weekly.

Making it work for every age

Younger children: They're the collector — a bucket to fill with leaves and pinecones is a whole afternoon.

Older children: They research which insects need which habitat and label each floor.

Keep it safe

Wash hands afterwards; leave stinging plants alone.

Did you try it?

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