What is a minibeast?
Quite literally, a ‘minibeast is simply a small animal. Spiders, snails, slugs, beetles, centipedes, worms, earwigs, caterpillars……these are just a few well-known examples of the thousands and thousands of types of ‘creepy-crawlies’ that exist all over the world.
They are animals which do not have an internal skeleton technically they are called invertebrates aka…..bugs. There are more invertebrates on earth than any other type of animal.
Minibeasts live all around us in a many different habitats, including our backyards and in our homes. As you explore and search for the minibeasts in your yard think about what makes a good habitat for them.
Is it wet or dry?
What is nearby?
Let’s go on a hunt to find some. Grab your magnifying glass and this beautiful scavenger hunt printout we can use by Kelly Rowe on her website Live Laugh Rowe.
To the grownups
If you child is interested in minibeasts one of the most classic and engaging projects to begin is to create a habitat for them.
A bug hotel, a bee house, a mud pit or pile, a box with grass and leaves. Simple.
These are all classic children’s activities that you probably did your fair share of as a child. You don’t need a terrarium or anything fancy. The materials you have in your home are more than enough.
The purpose is the play.
To be creative.
To explore and experiment.
To pay attention to the details.
To show care and attention to a living creature.
A fun starting place is discovering which live where. Some live on the ground some under it. Some live in the air and some in the water.
What kind of habitat might your child be interested in building?