Both my kids adore digging around in the garden and exploring – finding ants and beetles and worms and bugs. So I knew it wouldn’t be long before we HAD to make a simple Bug Hotelfor our backyard with them – the perfect Garden Craft for kids to get stuck into.
Our easy bug hotel is probably as simple and as easy as it gets – there are many prettier and cleverer bug hotels out there, but sometimes, you just have to make do with what you have and also make it easy for the kids to join in.
So we made ours with “local materials” and avoided any drilling or cutting tools. Perfect garden crafts for young children! We actually made this with Pip Squeak (3yrs), Red Ted (5yrs) AND the neighbour’s boy who is 8years. Loved that the different age groups enjoyed working on this together.
Why make a bug house?
Bugs are an important part of our eco system. They do all sorts of useful things for us, fromproviding shelter to pollinators like bees and bumble bees (even the wasp is an important pollinator) to beneficial insects that help create our compost or eat garden pests such as green fly and other aphids. Bug houses, provide a shelter for our little friends and welcome them into our garden. If creating our plastic bottle bug hotel, you can also view your bugs at home and observe them in their house.
So you bug hotel may offer a refuge to solitary bees, give ladybugs somewhere to lay eggs or other wildlife a place to nest and feel secure.
Bugs, such as woodlice or millipedes, also provide food for other wildlife such as hedgehogs, frogs and toads, which we want to encourage in our gardens. It is so important to encourage biodiversity into our gardens and backyards.
DIY Bug Hotels really are great for all sorts of wildlife! You can buy specific bug hotels e.g. a bee hotel or hotels for ladybirds. But I feel making your own is far better – as commercial ones don’t always “work” and bugs like to find their own place to stay. With a homemade one, you can’t go wrong.
Note: this simple bug hotel first published in June 2013 – but updated and republished for your benefit!
Simple Bug Hotel – Materials:
A large plastic bottle cut into two cylinders,
String for hanging
sticks & twigs,
pine cones,
bark,
pieces of moss
anything else you can find – bamboo with it’s holes, make natural straws, which are great hidey hole for insects and bugs! Basically any natural materials are great!
We also had some broken plant pots but forgot all about them. Other bug hotels include other materials such as corn and drilled pieces of wood – to provide different nooks and crannies. I love the one from Garden Therapy. Have a look for inspiration.
But in essence, I would say: “think natural”, “think nooks and crannies”, “think what will last” (e.g. paper could go soggy and leaves will go brittle and break/ disintegrate). It is great to use things from YOUR local environment, as you are looking to attract bugs and beetles and insects from the same local environment.
Large Wooden Pallet Insect Hotels
I love this information page from the BBC available for downloadย and that we found on the Metro, giving you an idea what different creatures may or may not like! As with all living things, insects and bugs like different habitats – so the more variety you can offer the better:
Pallet DIY bug hotels really are great for bigger spaces and providing a habitat for LOTS of creatures and animals. These are wonderful for wild areas or garden areas in schools or communal garden plots. You can combine wooden pallets with a wooden box and bigger items such as bricks, plant pots and wood chips. A great way to create a different layer for different creatures.
Can I make a Tin Can Bug Hotel?
Back to small byg hotels. Can I make Tin Can Bug Hotels? Yes! Tin cans are super fun for making bug hotels too and can replace the plastic bottle used here. We just find the plastic bottle is easier to manage – as you can cut to size quickly and easily. They also don’t rust (which is something to watch out for). However a Tin Can Bug Hotel, can be decorated it more easily. So it is really just a question of personal preference and what supplies you have to hand!
Where is the best place to put a bug hotel?
Generally a warm dry place is best for your insect hotel. You don’t want it filling up with water in the rain. Having said that, it is important to remember that different bugs and insects live in different places. So you may want to experiment. If putting your bug hotel close to the ground, you may want to lift it off the ground on some stones or brick and also make sure, that any rain water can easily “flow out”. Hanging in a bush or tree or securing from a window box is a great location. Just make sure you provide adequate shelter for your visitors!
How to make a Simple Bug Hotel
Time needed:ย 15 minutes.
Cut the bottlw down to size
We cut our bottle down to shape (may I add, that I actually drank 2 litres of fizzy water, especially for this task as we accidentally threw out our last bottle in the recycling?? Argh!)
Arrange your materials
Check what materials you have and arrange by size and texture – we snapped our twigs to make them a little smaller. Had larger and bigger ones. Arranged pinecones.
Decide on the insect hotel location and add twine for hanging
If you plan to hang your bug hotel, loop some garden twine round and then start layering your bug hotel. We did one hotel for on the ground and one for hanging from a tree to see if would attract different creatures.
Make the insect hotel nice and cozy
Stuff it to make it nice and firm, so it doesn’t get blown about!
And done!
So what else can you make your bug hotel from? How can you maybe waterproof it to add additional elements? Check out this great version from 1der.and.cre8 on instagram.
If your kids enjoy observing.. why not give this How to Raise Tadpoles post a go? So fascinating for kids!
My girls love digging for bugs. We recently finished our Insect unit and our Butterfly unit, but they are still loving to go outside and find bugs. I think they will love this idea.
Thanks for sharing such a cute project once again. And thanks for the linky.
I linked up my O is for Octopus/Ocean post.
My children will love this. They are bug mad! I love bug hotels. So much incredible discovery. Truly they are going to love it. And I really like how you recycled an old bottle. That BBC one is pretty awesome. Imagine the creepies that would move into that!!
Thank you so much for this idea! I take a gardening club for children and on Saturday we will be making mini bug hotels thanks to you ๐ (it’s hard to think up ideas every month!!)
Hello! My 2nd grade summer reading camp class read this article for a non-fiction comparing activity! They thought the idea of a bug hotel was awesome. Thank you for posting this online.
[…] out in the garden and make these simple bug hotels, the kids will love to discover all the little bugs that they find and it wonโt cost you a […]
[…] the sticks. If a concrete block doesn’t work for you, Red Ted Art has instructions for an bug hotel made from a 2 liter soda bottle. Click to download your free copy of ourย Little Leafers Nature Study E-Course Week Two (click […]
[…] And if you want to start something smaller but still with a big impactโฆwhy not have a go at building a Bug B&B, this website is full of great inspiration. […]
[…] Ice Paintingย by Twodaloo Sail some Pool Noodle Boats by Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Make aย Bug Hotelย by Red Ted Art Play someย Hula Hoop Gamesย by Learn Play Imagine Send aย Bottle Rocketย high in the […]
[…] some nature items โ such as sticks, leaves, stones and pinecones. Then come back and make some BUG HOTELS (!),ready for Spring. Brilliant. We have lots more Stick Craft Ideas, which are perfect for the […]
[…] The gingerbread house that I think we will follow when we get round to making one. This one from Red Ted Art is great if you are looking for something a little simpler or […]
Jessica @ Play Trains! says
Thank you for hosting the party! I’m pinning the bug hotel for the day when my son changes his mind about bugs. ๐
Red Ted Art says
Awe hopefully he will, bugs are so cool!
anna m says
wow.. I am a bit too squeamish about bugs but it does look a really cool idea!
Red Ted Art says
As long as the bugs are outside…. you are ok!
Emma @Mummymummymum says
I love this Maggy ๐ and you made it seem so easy!
Red Ted Art says
It WAS easy, promise!! Drinking all that water to get the bottle empty, wasn’t….
Hannah says
Thanks for hosting!
Red Ted Art says
Pleasure, thank you for linking up!
JDaniel4's Mom says
This is very cool! I think I know a boy who would love to make one of these.
Red Ted Art says
Hooray!
Katie says
We made our bug hotel a couple of years ago now and it’s still in use. Just poke some more leaves and things in there as a top up. Kids love it!
Red Ted Art says
Ooh great to hear! Will be interesting how long my kids stay interested?!
SusieQTpies says
Wow what an awesome idea!! I love your adaptation! Susie
Red Ted Art says
Thank you!
jackie says
Those wool vases look so easy and sweet! And I love your bug hotel, Maggy! Pinning both posts. ๐
Red Ted Art says
Thank you for the double pin! Much appreciated.
Kriss MacDonald says
My kids would love this. I’ll have to make sure my son doesn’t see the BBC bug hotel photo otherwise he’ll want an enormous hotel too.
Red Ted Art says
*Snigger* good point!!! DO NOT SHOW THE BIG HOTEL!!!
kewkew says
My girls love digging for bugs. We recently finished our Insect unit and our Butterfly unit, but they are still loving to go outside and find bugs. I think they will love this idea.
Thanks for sharing such a cute project once again. And thanks for the linky.
I linked up my O is for Octopus/Ocean post.
Kate - An Everyday Story says
My children will love this. They are bug mad! I love bug hotels. So much incredible discovery. Truly they are going to love it. And I really like how you recycled an old bottle. That BBC one is pretty awesome. Imagine the creepies that would move into that!!
Sophie says
Thank you so much for this idea! I take a gardening club for children and on Saturday we will be making mini bug hotels thanks to you ๐ (it’s hard to think up ideas every month!!)
Gill Mather says
Think i’m gonna have a go at making one of these myself, i’ve always got a water bottle hanging around the house.
Jo says
Brilliant thankyou ! Just had my whole class of Year 1s make these ๐ they loved it and they look fab! What a great idea!
Red Ted Art says
Oh music to my ears! How wonderful ๐
Ms. Robinson says
Hello! My 2nd grade summer reading camp class read this article for a non-fiction comparing activity! They thought the idea of a bug hotel was awesome. Thank you for posting this online.
Red Ted Art says
Oh wow! That makes me so happy! Many thanks.