Have You Collected Bugs With the Kids?

Product Nannies Love: Bug Collecting Kits

I admit it, I'm afraid of bugs. But, most kids think bugs are neat. They are a vital part of our ecosystem, so if you have some hours to fill this summer, collecting bugs and learning about them can be a fun experience for you and the kids. In fact, using the products below (the Backyard Safari Adventure Kit by Summit and Outdoor Explorer Kit by Kid O) has me liking more bugs too.


Below the bug collecting products we list some fun web sites with activities and information to share with kids while learning about bugs.

Backyard Safari Adventure Kit and Cargo Vest


While stomping on spiders in the kitchen might be fun for some, chasing them around the backyard is a much better activity to keep kids entertained. Backyard Safari Outfitters proves that true with their exciting gear that allows us to transform that boring backyard into an adventure waiting to be explored. Backyard Safari says their gear is rugged, fully functional, and made for use in the field year round.


The kit has a water tight case is like an extra pocket for keeping valuables safe and dry. The retractable carabiner clip attaches easily to belts, packs, or the cargo vest. Lets small gear and other gizmos extend 14” then zip quickly out of the way. The rugged mini lantern provides instant light and clips easily to a child's field cargo vest. There is a pop-up essential field guide fits in your pocket (or in the watertight case) and pops up to provide handy information when planning your next adventure.

Outdoor Explorer Kit by Kid O

 
This kit contains: A4 sketchpad, colored pencils, LED headlamp with batteries, drawstring backpack, magnifying glass, bug checklist and tips on keeping a nature journal.

Here are web sites to use with kids this summer when teaching them about bugs:

Insects: Learn why not all bugs are bad. In fact, many help by destroying destructive bugs and plants.

Insects: What good are they anyways?

If you have ever been stung by a bee, stabbed by a mosquito, or had the leaves of your favorite tree eaten by a gypsy moth caterpillar, you've probably wondered...what good are insects? Although it is true that insects can cause damage, learn how they can also be beneficial.

Bug Fun: Collecting bugs, insect crafts and projects, games and jokes, even bugs as food, from the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology. Make Your Own Compound Eye, for example.

Fun Stuff Activities for Kids:  Exterminator company has pages of full-size drawings of insects you can print out an color, and other games and activities.

Monster Bugs: The Magic School Bus computer game teaches kids about insect parts. Kids assemble a bug they already know about or they can create an entirely new bug out of these drawers full of insect parts.


Bug Pets:  One of the best ways to learn about animals is to keep and look after them. insects and other invertebrates are no exception. In most cases they are easy to look after (provided you've found out about them first), inexpensive and don't require a vast amount of space.

Rearing Crickets: You can raise crickets simply because you like them or because you want to use them as bait when fishing.

Rearing Insects Indoors: Why rear insects? Because rearing insects is fun. Observing insects indoors can help you gather information on their life cycles and habits. You can even do scientific experiments with them. If you wish, you can grow insects for fish bait or as food for pet birds, toads, and lizards.

Rearing and Experimenting with Isopods: 

Have you ever turned over a rock or old board and discovered a small, hard-shelled creature resembling a miniature armadillo, and then upon picking it up had it roll-up into a near-perfect ball in your hand? Such armoured creatures are called wood-lice or sowbugs and those kinds that roll up are often called pillbugs.