There's one activity that The Boy has been desperate to do all Summer; make a minibeast hotel!
Last week we were playing in the garden when he spotted his old and battered wheelbarrow, went in search of a trowel, and decided that he'd had enough of waiting for me, and started doing it himself.
Ideally the minibeast hotel would be made from a wooden container and on the ground, which would encourage insects etc. to visit. However, this was a child-led activity and so he decided he wanted to use his wheelbarrow. He dug a load of soil in from the disused vegetable patch which was full of beetles, worms and woodlice, then layered different materials providing a range of environments.
- Find a suitable container, preferably with holes in it (for drainage and to allow creatures to join in the party)
- Fill with well composted and fertile soil (plenty of nutrients and things for them to eat)
- Place a variety of rotten wood (perfect for woodlice and beetles) in a towered stack which provides shelter and somewhere for the animals to crawl through.
- Use a variety of different sized stones to create more places for animals to shelter.
- Choose some plants (to provide food) which will attract insects; bees like the colour purple. I chose some trailing plants that were already covered in snails.
- Paint a stone with an inviting title and find some guests!
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Linking to Country Kids, Let Kids Be Kids, Outdoor Play Party
Love this so much! He's got a brilliant imagination and sense of fun! Must remember this when the monkey is older 🙂
Thanks for sharing x
I just love this 🙂
Ahhh what a great idea! 🙂 x
I love this…what a brilliant idea! xx
Making bug houses was my favourite thing ever when I was younger! I even used to own a bug catching kit, so I could keep them as pets, haha! Mine were never this elaborate though, it looks great!
What a creative little lad he is! I can see my younger son enjoying a project like this – it might encourage the woodlice to leave our house alone too!
Ooh I like this. Z is so squeamish around little bugs and things and I want him to be a bit more hands on. We have lots of big plant pots and things to do this in. Might give in a go!
Here's hoping you don't need the wheelbarrow back for a while then. Very creative of The Boy
I love the little scarecrow is there to protect the mini-beasts! #countrykids
Bless the Boy and what a great job he did. I think it looks a very inviting hotel indeed.
A very welcoming bug hotel with a fab sign! What a great activity and learning experience. Thanks for linking up and sharing the fun with Country Kids.
This looks brilliant my kids love bug hunting this would be fab
What a great idea!! That looks fab x
I love it, think we may have to do this in our garden soon. Great idea #countrykids
What a fantastic play idea, i'm sharing right now! I love, love, LOVE that this was completely child led. That is my favourite type of play!
#letkidsbekids
I think this is one of the best mini beast hotels I've seen yet! Perfect for the link up, thanks xx
Thank you! And child-led too!
Fantastic idea. I bet you both had fun making it and the bugs will love it too.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
I dont have space for a mini beast or bug hotel. But we have one near the park near us and we always visit it to see new insects. This project is amazing =) #countrykids
This was on our list to do too, but it seems the summer flew by in a blur of sickness and work 🙁 I wonder if we can still squeeze it in before the weather changes? Am going to pin just in case x x
I think you should go for it, reckon we've got another month of fairly decent temperatures? Thanks for pinning!
This is fab! What a clever boy. Thanks so much for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party 🙂
I adore this kind of kids. You can really see a potential on him. He is very creative and his mind is full of thoughts.
Such a great idea for spring time! Love to build something like this for my kids!