Kids have a natural love for the strange, mini-sized life of insects. A great way to introduce primary school-aged children to the world of these ‘minibeasts’ is through hands-on activities. Building a homemade insect trap is an simple, rewarding project that combines creativity, science, and a bit of outdoor adventure.
This simple guide will walk you through how to create an insect trap using everyday materials, making it perfect for classroom or backyard exploration. It costs nothing and can be competed in just a few minutes!
Materials Needed:
- A clear plastic bottle (1-2 liters)
- Scissors or a utility knife (adult supervision required)
- A small piece of fruit or sugary water
- Tape or glue
- String or wire (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Bottle
Begin by having the children wash and dry the plastic bottle, ensuring it’s clean and ready for the project. With adult assistance, use the scissors or utility knife to carefully cut off the top third of the bottle, leaving the lid on. This part of the bottle will be turned upside down to create a funnel that will guide insects into the trap. Make sure an adult handles the cutting to keep things safe.
Step 2: Create the Funnel
Now that the top of the bottle is cut off, remove the bottle cap and turn the top section upside down. Place this piece inside the bottom portion of the bottle, so that the neck is pointing downward. This will act as a funnel, allowing insects to enter but making it difficult for them to escape. Secure the funnel in place with tape or glue, which kids can help with under supervision.
Step 3: Add Bait
Next, it’s time to add something that will attract and lure the insects. Kids can choose a small piece of fruit, like a banana slice or a chunk of apple, or you can mix up some sugary water. Put the bait at the bottom of the bottle, ensuring it’s centred under the funnel. This is a great opportunity to talk about why insects are drawn to sweet things (because they’re yummy)!
Step 4: Set Up the Trap
Find a nice spot to place your insect trap. If you’re targeting flying insects like fruit flies, bees, or butterflies, it’s best to hang the trap in a tree or near flowering plants. You can use string or wire to hang the trap, which kids can help with. For ground-dwelling insects like ants or beetles, place the trap on the ground in the garden or near bushes. If you’re keen to get your hands dirty, you could even dig a hole in some earth so the trap entrance is level with the ground. This makes it much more effective at capturing ground-walking insects!
Step 5: Observe and Learn
Leave the trap outside for a few hours or overnight. The next day, gather the children to check on the trap. This is where the real fun begins! Carefully remove the funnel to observe the insects inside. Encourage the kids to talk about what they see. What kinds of insects did they catch? How many different species can they identify?
Once you’re done, you can safely return the insects to their homes.
Building an insect trap is more than just a fun DIY project—it’s an excellent educational tool. It allows children to learn about insect behaviour, habitats, and the importance of these tiny creatures in keeping our ecosystem happy and healthy. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to spend time outdoors and foster a love for science and nature.
For more activity ideas for insect-curious kids, check out this blog post. We also offer a range of resources and equipment for young entomologists, which can be found here. Happy bug hunting!