A creative backyard STEM project that invites curiosity, compassion, and crawling friends.

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Why Build a Bug Hotel?

Insects often get a bad rap, but they’re vital members of the ecosystem – pollinators, decomposers, and food sources for birds and other wildlife. Building a bug hotel is a beautiful way to teach kids about balance in nature while encouraging problem-solving, empathy, and creativity.

And the best part? You probably have everything you need already in your backyard.

What Is a Bug Hotel?

A bug hotel (sometimes called an insect habitat or insect house) is a cozy structure made from natural materials that provides shelter for beneficial bugs like:

• Ladybugs
• Beetles
• Solitary bees
• Spiders
• Roly-polies
• Worms

These small creatures help your garden thrive and can teach kids so much about observation, patterns, and patience.

Materials to Gather (No Buying Required)

Invite your kids to forage for:

• Hollow sticks or bamboo pieces
• Pinecones
• Rolled-up bark
• Dry leaves or grass
• Twigs and seed pods
• Stones and pebbles
• Bits of wood with holes or cracks
• A small crate, flower pot, or even a shoebox to house it all

Let them decide the layout (think nature + imagination + STEM).

How to Build a Bug Hotel (Kid-Style)

1. Choose a Base: Use a wooden box, old crate, pot, or any container as your structure.
2. Sort Your Materials: Group by texture, shape, or function. Kids love sorting sticks, cones, bark, etc.
3. Start Layering: Fill your “rooms” with natural materials. Encourage your kid to think like a bug: cozy, dark, and safe.
4. Decorate (Optional but Fun): Paint the sides, add a sign, or let them give the hotel a name!
5. Pick a Spot: Place your hotel in a shady, quiet corner of the yard near some plants or trees.

Learning Extensions + Journal Prompts

Want to go deeper? Try these:

• Observe daily: Which bugs move in?
• Draw a blueprint: How would your child improve the design?
• Bug scavenger hunt: Use a magnifying glass to explore who’s nearby.
• Write a story: Imagine what the bugs talk about inside the hotel!

Pair It with the Bug Hotel Mini-Book

Want printable journal pages, bug ID tools, affirmations, and more?

Download our Wilderness Wednesdays Mini-Book: Build a Bug Hotel – the perfect companion for this project!

Click here to grab your printable mini-book!

Did your littles find some cool bugs? Or did they create an awesome bug hotel? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to tag @healthyhathamama on Instagram if you and your littles create something sweet this week!🪲