With summer comes one big bummer – bugs, bugs, bugs! But even though those mosquitos are quite annoying, you can make it more fun by teaching your kids about insects! Since you know at least the names of most bugs, your kids may not realize the difference between some, and if you aren’t creeped out by them, you can make it a fun thing to do while you spend time outside this summer!
No Bug Spray Here
You may be getting itchy just thinking about it, but there is a plethora of bugs out in the world, and instead of being bothered by them, you can become fascinated by them! Bringing that sense of joy and wonder to the insect world can help foster that same wonder in your kids. Most kids growing up are not phased by the dirty, gritty and crawling world that we start to avoid as we age. Kids will play in the mud and catch worms, fireflies, and more! Foster that sense of adventure and finding bugs and help them start to differentiate the different species.
Bug Watching?
Similar to bird watching, you and your kids can turn those creepy crawlies into something fun by looking for new bugs! Your younger kids can simply point out bugs that they see, but if your kids are older and interested in learning, you can both Google search any bugs you aren’t familiar with and keep track of who you find. You can even make it a game to see who can find the most bugs over the summer! It can be very similar to bird watching, only with the 6 (or more) leg variety!
Creepy Crawlies
Even if your kids are a little on the fence about learning the different kinds of bugs, sometimes seeing them in a different light can help. If they are starting to get a little afraid of them or don’t like touching them, even being able to see them up close and putting a name to the insect can help them take the fear out of the insect itself. There are many insects out there that are annoying and seem superfluous, but there are some bugs that are vital to the flowers and other fauna in the world. Most people know that bees are highly important to our ecosystem, and being able to show your kids the importance of bees and other insects can help them ensure their safety and be able to thrive in today’s world.
Katie Kyzivat