I’m thinking about money saving and environmentally friendly things for families. This week I will share with you our “Bug Hunt,” a great way to get the kids outdoors and helping the kids to consider the environment they live in, and who (or what) they share it with.
My very organised friend Kate printed off a sheet of things for us to go and find. Then she arranged for us all to meet over the big field down the road.
And off the children went to find the bugs (they also did a lot of tree climbing too).
Off they went in search of bugs. We looked under rocks, and large branches on the floor. I think it’s really important for children to learn about bugs. About what kind of habitats they live in, and what kind of bugs are easy to find at this time of year. This is a great way to introduce the children to a bit of science at a young age.
The children discovered which bugs may harm them and which wouldn’t.
The children managed to suck up a wasp, they were told that it may have become angry, so to be careful where it was released (an adult let it out again in a safe area). Old jam jars could be used to keep the bugs in.
There was a branch that was left on the ground, and the children were shown that the bugs like to live underneath it, where it is dark, and that if you gently pull back the broken bark you can find all manner of extra bugs that were previously hiding.
We had this device that sucked them up, but to be honest a good old-fashioned pick them up with your fingers was better. Again one of the mothers had this great boxes with holes at the top (to allow the air in) but this could just as easily be achieved by using an old tub (I like to use Flora ones) and make some holes with scissors.
Then they had a game of hide and seek in the grass. It was a really good game, and once the children lay down you really couldn’t see them.
Before exploring their surroundings.
This is NOT a sponsored post.
Growing fruit, veg and herbs is probably our favourite thing to do in the summer.
Picnics at the park 🙂
going over the meadows on a nature hunt, weather permitting!
long walks with the dog along the coast
shared your bug hunt post on FB
just spending time outdoors, whether the park or a picnic or a country walk
Enjoying time in the garden and at the park
the weather meaning you can spend more time outdoors with your family, the beach, the park and bbqs I LOVE SUMMER 🙂
family bbq’s
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Take the kids to the beach 🙂
Lie in the long grass, watch my children play and remember when I was small doing the same thing as they are
We like to spend as much time in the garden as possible, eating, drinking, playing, gardening and socialising.
Get out in the sunshine as much as possible! We don’t get many sunny days so as soon as one comes along I am out with the kids and dog – into the countryside or down on the beach for a picnic or a walk!
I subscribe by email
I have shared on Facebook
Go to the beach!
Play in the Paddling pool
Fabulous photos! But I think I would skip on the bugs part. 🙂
I love to go for long walks with my dog 🙂
Just being out side garden park or over the fields with the dogs
watch cricket
That sounds great, I think we might have to give a bug hunt a try too
A lovely way to make the walk interesting for the children and some fab countryside too.
We like to play outside or walk in the summer! Thanks for hosting!
I have subscribed by email.
I live by some beautiful beaches so as a family if the weather is lovely we camp by the beach for the weekend.
subscribed by email.
I like to spend time outdoors.
A beautiful tour of a nice place, good catches of insects!
Linked up again this week 🙂
I love picnics in the summer and exploring new areas with the kids.
(subscribed and done all but share on Fb as can’t work out how via the form!)
I haven’t linked up anything green or outdoorsy, but it’s definitely inspirational, from the lovely Mother Theresa no less 🙂 (From The Healer blog) and your post is gorgeous. You’re a braver woman than I – but, mother of four boys, this needs to be in your dna! Fab.
Go to the beach
Go for long walks in the woods
bbqs & paddling pools!
just enjoy the sun!
Spend as much time I can in the garden
Get outside as often as we can, even if its only in the garden x
love gardening & days out to the seaside x
i like to chill out
Definitely the beach
Just being outside playing with the children
the beach!!! 🙂
Go to the BEACH!!!
Picnics and gardening, lots of time outdoors.
hi i have subscribed to you blog 🙂
i love to sit in the garden in the summer and watch the little ones play in the paddling pool 🙂
i shared you ‘We went on a bug hunt’ post publicly 🙂
Go on holiday
We lucky enough to live 10 minutes from the sea, so swimming, lovely
Already subscribed via email 🙂
chill out in the garden with the kids and grandkids during the hot weather
I love to have barbeques
i love sunny days in the garden with a bbq and the paddling pool out for the kids, i love family days out as well.
subscribed by email
posted on facebook also
i love chill out with daughter
Sit on a wild empty beach
I like to take picnic out and go somewhere for a nice walk and make the most of the good weather… when we have it!
I love to go for walks along the beach in the sunshine 🙂
subscribed via email 🙂
shared worst gift status on facebook 🙂
Ooh your kids would love making a bug hotel. GG did one in a shoe box once and really enjoyed it!
Go to the beach or get the paddling pool out, last summer we built a den and camped in the garden
bug hunts are such good fun we have done a couple one of which was organsied by out lcoal NT property last summer and they allowed us to use those jars and a net! it teaches kids to respect wildlife and not to be afraid of them (even though i dont like spiders lol)
your children did really well they found a lot of intersting bugs didnt they? and i love that meadow filled with long grass and buttercups x
Walk along the beach
we love to go to the local river/stream and have a paddle and a picnic
Going to beach
we like to go to the beach
Love to go to the park with the dog and have a picnic.
get out for walks :O)
I like to take my daughter to the park – she loves it 🙂
BBQ’s, Beaches & Festivals!
I love going to the beach, and getting the paddling pool out
I love doing any outdoor activity with my lively 6 year old boy – the park, beach, picnics, walks, fishing, bug collecting, gardening, football, climbing, exploring…
i love eating icecream on the beach
In the summer I like getting out as much as possible! Also love having picnics!
going out anywhere!
sitting in the sun reading
Would love to learn how to swim :}
I live very near a canal so I love to take my grandchildren for walks along it every weekend for them to share the beauty of nature and learn a little about how nature evolves
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Walk on the beach
The bug hunt looks ace! My kids love digging in the muck for creepy crawlies.
picnics in the park, kids, dog, ball, and lovely food x
Love walking and picnics with my kids
We love family picnics
camping 🙂
we love to go Geocaching
We love to go fishing!
I LOVE the bug hunt! We found a caterpillar just this week which was cool and my wee man was so gentle which made me very proud. We also like when we find ants but I have to admit we are not so kind to them! Our favourite activity is definitely finding stones and then throwing them into the water so bring on summer and the sunshine! My aim for this summer is to spend the day at the beach!
This is totally up my street, and just how I spent a lot of my childhood, we’ve been watching a caterpillar pupate infront of our eyes here. #CountryKids
A full fun day outdoors exploring and appreciating nature – all for free, what a great way to spend a day. Bug spotting is such a good idea, and as you say all you need is a tub or jar. A few trees to climb and a game of hide and seek are perfect activities for children of all ages. Thanks for sharing your bug adventures with Country Kids.
I want to visit my dad, spend some family time and holiday in France
my son has just watched caterpillars turn into butterfly’s so would be great for him
Have lots of family BBQs, the kids love it! 🙂
What a fantastic bug hunt! Looks like great fun, and educational too. I love the buttercup (?) field, very pretty 🙂
cool prize and fun article
play in the garden
walking along the beach with the children and the dogs – actually, I like that anytime of the year, but its particularly lovely on a summery evening
i love falling asleep under the stars in the summer 🙂
GARDENING
I Love to BBQ
I like to have lots of barbecues or picnics with friends and family
lots of time at local parks with my boys , lets face it who doesnt love the sswings and roundabout !
lovely trips to the park and picnics
We love family picnics, somewhere lovely and green with shade under a big leafy tree. Heavenly 🙂
Picnic in the park or countryside
I have subscribed via email
going for family trips and camping
subscribed by email
I am subscribed!
I shared, ‘ We went on a bug hunt’ 🙂
love the bug pictures, pretty scared by the sucking up a wasp tho!!
love th hiding picture!