We’re going on a minibeast hunt

If you have a garden or small outdoor space, a minibeast hunt is a fantastic hands-on way for children to learn about nature.

Equipment:

A piece of paper, a pen, a container or a white piece of paper/fabric such as a pillow case (optional), a magnifying glass (optional)

Getting started:

1. Make a list – Think about the types of minibeasts that you may find such as spiders, beetles, ladybirds, earwigs or woodlice. You could also use this list to make a tally of what you discover.

2. Find a good hiding place – Minibeasts love hidden nooks and crannies. Good places to check are under large rocks or shrubs, and cracks in trees or logs. Also check on and under leaves. Slugs, snails and worms are easier to spot after it has rained.

3. Get up close – If you want to really get up close, carefully place your new found friend in a small container (Ideally this should be clear so that you can really examine them). Alternatively, you can lay them on a white piece of paper or fabric.

4. Get them back home – Always make sure that you return your minibeast to its original hiding place.

5. Show us what you found by emailing your images to Director@1stplace.uk.com or sharing them on Instagram @1stplacecentre by using #weare1stplace.