Build a hotel for mini beasts

Building a mini beast hotel is like making a five-star retreat for the tiny creatures in your garden, and kids absolutely love being the architects! All you need are some natural bits and bobs like sticks, bark, pinecones, dry leaves, hollow stems, or even old bricks with holes.

Stack them in a box, crate, flowerpot or tucked-away corner, and you’ve got yourself a cosy bug haven. It’s a great hands-on activity that gets children thinking about where creatures live, what they need to survive, and why it’s important to make space for them. 

As your bug hotel ‘guests’ start to arrive, like ladybirds, woodlice, and solitary bees, children can return to check in on them again and again. It’s low-cost, creative, and full of opportunities to learn about the often-overlooked insects that play vital roles in the ecosystem. Plus, there's something really satisfying about building a home and knowing it's helping nature thrive.