Who is beginning to feel that Autumn nip in the air? Come rain or shine, little ones won't care as long as they're having fun - and It's the perfect time to get nature-loving kids out in the garden to make a home for friendly critters to hang out in as the colder months approach, ready for winter hibernation.
Have you tried everything from the best garden games for kids that the whole family will enjoyto fun and inventive garden activities to get your youngsters excited about the great outdoors? Well don't give up...
If your kids love playing in the mud, hunting for creepy crawlies and bug in the dirt, then this fun outdoor play activity will be right up their street! Learning about creepy crawlies might just be the answer to get them out in the fresh air. Creating bug hotels for kids can be a fascinating project for little ones to enjoy, plus, it's educational and active, so it'll tire them out - body and mind, just in time for dinner. Bug hotels are also the perfect way to have fun and play with a toddler if you're looking for fun interactive activities to share.
What is a bug hotel for kids?
Bug hotels (or insect hotels as they're also known) are shelters that have been built to provide a temporary space for butterflies, solitary bees, spiders, woodlice and more. It's is a place for your children to watch and learn as minibeasts lay eggs, raise their young and live in their newly established bug hotel. We've got plenty of inspiration for you, so don't worry if this is your first time creating a bug hotel with the kids. You can buy them already made or in kits to put together, and they don't have to cost the earth.
How we chose the best bug hotels for kids
You'll be glad to know that you and your little minibeast-keepers don't have to be keen gardeners to keep bug hotels. Result! But you do have to have nerves of steel when the kids want you to help them "find bug guests" to populate their masterpiece.
We picked the best bug hotels by choosing options that are made from natural materials, because you have to be eco-friendly if you're going to be looking after nature in your garden! We also looked for bug hotels that can be personalised for your little one or customised as part of rainy day activities, so that kids can get the most fun out of this creative activity, and make their bug hotel, even if it's pouring down cats and dogs outside. It'll make a great Autumn craft activity
The best bug hotels for kids 2024
Best bug hotel for personalisation
AmazonThis creative project kit is ideal for older kids who will love to make, paint and design their own insect hotel, with adult supervision, of course! It's also a fun activity to do together as a family, especially if your kids have a fascination for creepy crawlies.
One customer said; "Enjoyed doing this with my granddaughter. She loved it and talking about what bugs and insects are going to live in it. A child would need some assistance because the wooden pegs are a little fiddly. But overall great product." Another reviewer who bought this as a lockdown gift during Covid pointed out: "You must varnish after building it if you want it to last in the garden. It won’t if you don’t because it is very thin wood"
We like that kids can personalise this insect hotel with their own cute paintings of bugs, or paint their own name on it! Plus, the hemp cord makes it easy to hang at any level so your kids can have a peek to see who has come to stay.
Pros
- Includes brightly-coloured paints to attract different birds and bugs
- No tools needed with pre-cut wooden pieces and glue included for easy assembly
- Easy to follow step-by-step instructions
- Includes hemp cording to hang it - tie to a tree or outside a window for easy viewing
Cons
- Wooden pegs are a little fiddly
- Very thin wood - you'll need to varnish to protect it - varnish not included
- Pre-Cut Wooden Bug Hotel Pieces
- 1 Glue Tube
- 6 bright paints - (Black, White, Red, Yellow, Green and Blue)
- 1 Paintbrush
- Hemp cording to hang your bug hotel
- Step-by-step Instructions
Best bug hotel with reinforced roof to keep insects dry
AmazonIf your kids are serious about providing the bug guests with a dry place to stay during the rainy season, then this insect hotel is ideal - unlike other options on this list, the roof has been reinforced to ensure that this hotel is weather-resistant, which prevents it from getting wet inside, making it nice and homely for the little critters. Designed to bring nature to you, the different natural materials in this structure have been picked to attract bees, butterflies, ladybirds and earwigs.
One buyer said; "I bought this so we can have it in the garden, will hang it up in spring time so my children can learn more about nature and find out about bugs and insects. They are super excited about this stunning insect hotel. It's big and very well made, it has many different parts and I'm sure we will get lots of different insects that would love to live in here! It has a hook that will make hanging it up super easy and I love that it is pretty to look at. Will most likely buy another for my son's nursery as I'm sure they will love it as much as we do." Keep in mind that you'll have to provide your own nails and use your own tools to hand the bug hotel.
We like that this is a big bug hotel, meaning more bugs to look at and keep the kids entertained in the garden! We also like that there are different sections with different habitats to encourage a variety of insects looking for a safe spot to hibernate in over winter.
Pros
- The metal pointed roof keeps rain and moisture out so insects will want to stay
- Includes different natural nesting materials for a habitat that'll attract a variety of insects
- Houses mason bees, butterflies, earwigs, ladybirds, and so much more.
- Designed to hang so kids can view at eye level in ther garden or on a balcony
Cons
- Nails for hanging are not included
- Made from all natural materials including natural wood, bamboo and pine cones
- Weather-resistant metal pointed roof
Best bug hotel for coming in a twin pack
AmazonWhen it's wet and miserable outside, the next best thing to do with little ones is arts and crafts on the kitchen table! This twin pack is the perfect rainy day project for siblings as they'll get one each and there'll be no squabbling about which colours to use. One reviewer said, "Bought this for my son's school project wringle and crawls (bug hotel). He absolutely loves it, and it came already assembled with fast delivery." To make it easier to decorate the house we recommend keeping the parts flat before assembling.
Unfortunately this kit doesn't come with paints so you'll have to buy those separately. Customers have said that acrylic paints work well and others have gone even further and bought glitter and other decorative things to stick on. It's a good idea to paint a layer opr two of varnish to protect the bug houses from the elements though, and you'll need to buy the varnish separately too.
Overall customers like the quality of these bug houses, describing them as sturdy. They are on the small side though so opinions are mixed when it comes to value for money. We think it's great that you get two in a pack though!
Pros
- This is a twin pack which means you get two houses in a pack
- The blank wooden pieces can be decorated flat before assembling to make it easier
- Good quality and sturdy once assembled
Cons
- No paints or varnish included
- The bug houses are quite small
- Twin pack
- Comes in blank wooden pieces
Best bug hotel to blend naturally into the habitat of your garden
AmazonYoungsters will be buzzing to see their bee hotel in action. The holes on this hotel are tiny and may need some drilling to fit larger insects, this is a lovely little addition to your garden. We love that it will encourage children to get outside and check if you have any new neighbours - however, it isn't as child-friendly as some of the others that give kids the opportunity to decorate and personalise the houses first - so it might be better suited for older kids.
One reviewer said, "Bought two, one for each daughter. They were both thrilled and they now adorn trees in their gardens. Good value and good looking. Have to see how long they last." We like that this bug hotel comes ready assembled so there's no work for you - although some customers have said the holes are quite small and may need drilling if you want to encourage larger insects to stay. We think the bug hotel will look really good in your garden too, blending in with a natural setting with its lovely rugged design.
Pros
- Comes ready assembled
- The beautful natural design will look good in your garden and blend in well
Cons
- Not designed for painting or decorating
- The holes are very small
Best bug hotel specially designed with small holes for ladybirds
AmazonThis set of bug houses doesn't come with a paint kit, and you'll need to provide your own varnish if you want to protect the wood from the elements. They're quite small too, as they're designed to attract ladybirds with the tiny entrance and exit holes, of which there are plenty! One customer said, "This is a fun activity for children to be creative and decorate. My kids love exploring nature in the garden and really enjoyed painting these. The material isn’t completely sturdy. A coat of varnish will hopefully help. Good value for money."
Whether you decorate them or not is up to you and the kids of course, but they'll still have fun foraging for natural materials to stuff inside the house to keep insects cosy. And while you're looking for nesting materials you can also have a hunt for some ladybirds! You'll usually find them on flowers, weeds, trees, shrubs, grass or crops, so make sure that you and the kids place the carefully in these areas of your garden to attract their favourite insects. We like that the houses comes with a cord to attach for easy hanging.
Pros
- Easy to assemble wooden pieces (no glue required)
- Comes with a cord to attach the wooden houses for easy hanging
Cons
- No decoration materials or varnish for protection provided
- Very small design with small holes - only attract small creatures like ladybirds
Are Bug hotels a good idea?
Bug hotels are a brilliant garden activity for kids that are guaranteed to fascinate curious little ones and older kids who are learning about the natural world, or who just enjoy digging around for critters. They are an effective way to get kids out in the fresh air, in all weathers, to have a peek and see what bug guests are staying at their bug hotel. Not only this, but encouraging pollinators and pest predators can be beneficial for your garden, helping to keep your plants healthy and reproducing, which in turn will attract more wildlife into the garden for your kids to enjoy. We love that kids can learn how to repurpose unwanted materials from your household waste and gather dead leaves and twigs to use in their bug hotels too.
Do you need to put anything in a bug hotel?
If you're buying a ready-made bug hotel or kit for your kids to decorate or just to hang in your garden, you might be wondering if you need to put anything inside. Your bug hotel may already come with nesting material provided, but if not it's easy to forage around in the garden to find something suitable - and it's all part of the fun for your kids. Here are some of the things your kids can look for to put into their bug hotels to make them nice and cosy and warm for insects...
Natural nesting materials for bug hotels
• dry leaves
• twigs and sticks
• hollow stems like bamboo
• dead grass
• pine cones
• bits of bark
You don't necessarily have to find bugs to put in the bug hotel, but no doubt your kids will want guest straight away, and there's nothing stopping them from trying to encourage creepy crawlies to stay by placing them inside their bug hotel. Some good bugs to look for are spiders, woodlice, ladybirds and other minibeasts they come across in the soil or grass.
How to make a bug hotel for kids
If you're buying a bug hotel kit for yor kids they'll probably come with easy step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the little houses. Often they come flat-packed and the individual pieces can be painted and decorated first to make it easy for kids, then slotted together without the need for glue. You may want to apply a coat of varnish to the wood as commercially-made bug hotels for kids are often made from thin wood that probably won't stand up against the elements for long. Plus, you want to make sure the houses are water-resistance to keep the insides nice and dry, or bugs may not want to stay for long.
Alternatively you can have a look through your household trash to see if there is anything that might make a good bug hotel. THere are loads of bug hotel ideas for kids online that you can make together as a family. For example, well-cleaned plastic bottles are a good container option as they'll stay dry inside, and you can fix several together with a glue gun or twine to create sections to stuff different natural nesting materials inside. You'll have to cut the ends of bottles off first though as bottle necks will be too small to stuff any of the nesting materials through. You can also use old packaging like corrugated card for nesting material if the kids are making a recycled bug hotel indoors as a rainy day project.
Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.