‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Have fun exploring nature and the great outdoors with our list of ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’.
No. 31 Make friends with a bug
Ladybirds, spiders, caterpillars, woodlice – all kinds of minibeasts hide indoors and out. Discover where to find them and make friends with a bug, no. 31 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
Searching for bugs
You can find all sorts of creatures lurking in your garden, at the places we look after and indoors too, sometimes. Be prepared though: looking for bugs is fun, but you might need to be fast. Some creatures like centipedes and millipedes move quickly (it must be all those feet!), so you'll need to keep your eyes peeled like a real nature detective to see them.
Where to look?
Great spots for searching include under stones and wood, on the branches, bark and leaves of trees and in long grass.
Making friends
Once you've found your bugs, remember that you're a giant compared to them, so be gentle with any that you choose to pick up as they'll probably be scared of you. It's best if you choose something to hold that's relatively small and won't sting or bite you – so no wasps, bees or snakes.
Learn more
You don't need anything except your eyes for this challenge. But if you get seriously interested in learning about bugs and insects, you could buy all sorts of bug hunting equipment. This might include magnifying glasses, viewing pots with lids on and sheets that you can use to catch bugs that you shake out from trees.
There are more than 20,000 types of insects in the UK, so who knows what you'll discover?
Let them go
All bugs appreciate being returned to their homes after you've looked at them – just like you'll want to go home at the end of your bug-friending adventure.
You might also be interested in
No. 38 Bring up a butterfly
Match caterpillar pictures with their butterflies, make a caterpillar a good home and ensure it has everything it needs to turn into a magnificent butterfly – no. 38 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
No. 37 Explore the wonders of a rock pool
As the tide goes out, the secrets of the sea are revealed in rock pools left behind. Exploring the wonders of a rock pool is no. 37 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
No. 35 Discover what's in a pond
Find out what’s in a pond by scooping out some water and using our guide to identify what's beneath the surface. It's No. 35 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
No. 17 Set up a snail race
Find out how to race snails and learn slimy snail facts. It’s no. 17 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
