Backyard Bug Hunt: Ideas, Tips, Tools, and Resources
I grew up terrified of bugs, and I stayed that way until I took an entomology class in college. We had to amass a proper bug collection by the end of the semester, and as I got to know the little critters who account for more than 10 quintillion heartbeats on this planet and came to understand the many ways in which they benefit us, I got a little less squeamish about them.
I decided early on that no child o’ mine was going to be afraid of bugs, so from the very start, I spent a lot of time with Ruby catching, observing, and admiring backyard bugs of all kinds.
Alas, it was all to no avail. The summer after she turned four, I had to warn any new neighbors that they were going to hear lots of of blood-curdling screams coming from the back yard in the summer, and please don’t call CPS — it’s just the kid getting within 10 feet of a grasshopper, ant, bee, spider, or cicada.
Maybe you’ll have better luck than I did getting your kids to appreciate creepy crawlies — and down the road, when a bug happens to crawl across your kid’s jacket, you won’t have to wash it before she’ll wear it again.
Consider this your comprehensive guide to backyard bug hunting. Here, I cover where to find bugs in the back yard and how to catch and identify them — plus a bunch of engaging bug hunting activities to get the kids super excited about their six-legged, eight-legged, and 100-legged buddies.
Where to hunt for common bugs in the back yard
Whether you’re outside hunting for bugs to catch or simply observing them from a distance, you can find countless species and have awesome conversations with your kids about their habits and habitats, behaviors and body parts, and lore and life cycles.
Here are some of the most common backyard bugs you're likely to encounter, where you’re most likely to find them, and my top recommendations for kid-centered, activity-packed online and print resources on each insect. I recommend bug books based on substance, ratings, and value. I only recommend online resources that are free, reputable, informative, and don’t spam you with a billion ads and flashing pop-ups.
Ants
These social insects are members of the order Hymenoptera and live in underground nests, trees or sheltered locations like under rocks or inside dead wood — you’ll find them pretty much everywhere if you look closely enough! Different ant species favor different foods, but most ants can’t resist crumbs and sugary spills — hence their iconic association with picnics!
Learn more about ants:
On the web: Explore Ants, Pest World for Kids
In a book: Ants for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Queens, Drones, and the Hidden World of Ants by Beverly Gerdeman, PhD (4.7/5 stars)
Bees
Like ants, bees belong to the order Hymenoptera — and also like ants, bees are social creatures. These important pollinators are attracted to flowering plants, especially those with bright colors and nectar-rich blooms. Watching them pollinate the garden is fascinating — the more bees you see, the more likely your garden will positively thrive all summer long.
Bees often build hives in sheltered areas like hollow trees or abandoned structures. If you encounter a beehive and can safely leave it where it is, take the opportunity to observe it throughout the season. If you find a bee hive and need to have it moved, contact a beekeeper in your area, or find a pest management company to come and relocate it.
Bees will only sting if they feel threatened, so teach your kids to be calm and gentle around these creatures. Although bee stings are incredibly painful (I can’t count how many times I’ve been stung!), they’re harmless for most people but can be extremely dangerous for those who are allergic.
Learn more about bees:
On the web: Bee Facts for Kids, Pest World for Kids
In a book: Turn This Book Into a Beehive!: And 19 Other Experiments & Activities That Explore the World of Bees by Lynn Brunelle, 4.7/5 stars
Beetles
This diverse group of insects belongs to the order Coleoptera. Beetles come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You’ll know a beetle by its tough body and two pairs of wings — one pair is very hard and protects the second pair underneath. Some beetles are beautiful, like the garden-loving ladybug and the iridescent green, garden-destroying Japanese beetle. In the back yard, look for long, brown soldier beetles feeding on nectar-rich plants — these guys are important pollinators — and large, black ground beetles resting under rotting logs or foraging on the ground at night.
Learn more about beetles:
On the web: BioKids Critter Catalog: Coleoptera (Beetles), University of Michigan
In a book: Bonkers About Beetles by Owen Davey, 4.9/5 stars
Butterflies and moths
Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera. These winged creatures range widely in size, color, and habitats. Moths and butterflies go through a complete metamorphosis during their life cycle: Female moths and butterflies lay eggs, which hatch with caterpillars. The caterpillars eat and grow, then transform into a pupa — either in a cocoon or as a chrysalis. The pupa completes the cycle as it transforms and re-emerges as an adult moth or butterfly.
Catching and observing butterflies is an age-old tradition — it’s fun for kids to watch them pollinate and learn to identify different species. Moths aren’t quite as exciting, since they’re generally not very pretty (sorry, moths!) and are most active at night.
Learn more about butterflies and moths:
On the web: BioKids Critter Catalog: Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera), University of Michigan
In a book: Butterflies for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to the Butterfly Life Cycle and Beautiful Species to Discover by Lauren Davidson (4.8/5 stars)
Cicadas
These large, noisy insects belong to the order Hemiptera and emerge from the ground in large numbers every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. Both 13- and 17-year broods are emerging this spring (2024), so some U.S. regions will be positively inundated with them! The cicada’s loud buzzing song is the quintessential soundtrack of deep summertime in many areas. While cicadas are harmless to humans — they don’t bite or sting — they’re freaking huge, and their hard bodies and noisy wings can definitely freak a body out. When they molt, you’ll find their cast skins attached to trees or lying on the ground beneath them — my kid used to collect them:
Enjoy this video of a cicada molting:
Learn more about cicadas:
On the web: National Geographic: Cicadas
In a book: The Cicada Olympics: Engaging Kids in Live Insect Activities by Cindy Smith, PhD & Richard Groover, PhD, 5/5 stars
In the news: A Double Emergence of Periodical Cicadas Isn’t Cicada-geddon—It’s a Marvel, Scientific American — March, 2024
Stink bugs
As their name suggests, stink bugs emit a lingering, stinky smell when they feel threatened — they’re the skunks of bugs! They belong to the order Hemiptera — same as the cicada — but they’re considered an invasive species, and too many of them can do a number on your garden. If you have them, you’ll find them on the leaves, stems, and fruits of plants.
Learn more about stink bugs:
On the web: Stink Bugs
In a book: Stink Bugs by Mari Schuh (4.7/5 stars)
Pillbugs
Also known as roly-polys, pillbugs aren’t insects, but rather belong to the Crustacean class. Pillbugs curl up into a hard, tight ball when they feel threatened. They are detritus feeders, which means they eat decaying organic matter and can be found in dark, moist environments like under rocks, mulch, or leaf litter. These weird, prehistoric-looking bugs are harmless, so let the kids touch them or pick them up to examine them on their bug hunt.
Learn more about pillbugs:
On the web: Wonders of Wildlife: Pillbug, Alabama Wildlife Federation
In a book: The Next Time You See a Pillbug by Emily Morgan (4.7/5 stars)
Praying mantises
These bizarre, alien-looking insects belong to the order Mantodea and ambush predators with long, grasping front legs. They wait patiently for prey like flies, grasshoppers, and caterpillars to come close before snatching them up with their powerful legs. Look for praying mantises perched on plants or fences, blending in with the foliage. I often find preying mantises on the back door window at night, and last year, baby mantises seemed to be attracted to my computer screen at night!
Learn more about praying mantises:
On the web: Praying Mantis, National Geographic Kids
In a book: Praying Mantises by Lisa J. Amstutz (4.7/5 stars)
Spiders
These fascinating creatures aren’t insects — they belong to the Arachnida class, not the Insecta class. Garden spiders (aka writing spiders or corn spiders) are found almost everywhere across North America. They’re beneficial for the garden and harmless to humans, although they will bite if provoked, and it might sting a smidge. As members of the orb weaver family, garden spiders are responsible for the classic round spider web, which, itself, is a work of art. They like to build their webs close to houses or other structures, and they’ll live there for the entire season. Finding an orb web presents a great opportunity to observe a spider over time. Give her a name, maybe even set up a camera to catch all of the action on your device!
Learn more about spiders:
On the web: Spiders Commonly Found in Gardens and Yards, Portland State University
In a book: National Geographic Kids: Spiders, by Laura Marsh (4.8/5 stars)
Grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets
These jumping insects belong to the order Orthoptera. Although they have wings, most species don’t fly. They’re harmless to humans and fun to try and catch by hand or with a net. These insects have the ability to make sounds by rubbing one of their legs or wings against another leg or wing. Katydids are often seen in trees and leafy plants, while crickets and grasshoppers usually stick to the lawn turf or tall grass. You’ll often find lots of crickets chilling under a dead log or other, dark, damp spot. These jumpers are most active during the day, but they’re especially noisy at night.
Learn more about jumping insects:
On the web: Orthoptera Facts for Kids, Kiddle
In a book:
Grasshoppers! by Hope Aicher (5/5 stars)
Katydid by Mike Shoulders (5/5 stars)
Crickets by Ashley Gish (4/5 stars)
Centipedes and Millipedes
Centipedes and millipedes have a lot in common — and like spiders and pillbugs, they aren’t technically insects. They both belong to the subphylum Myriapoda, but they belong to different classes. Both have lots and lots of legs, segmented bodies, and external skeletons. Both prefer a moist environment and are most active at night. Centipedes (class Chilopoda) have flat bodies and one pair of legs on each body segment, plus one pair that trails behind them. Millipedes (class Diplopoda) have rounded bodies and two pairs of legs per body segment. You’ll find centipedes and millipedes under rocks, logs, or in mulch.
Learn more about centipedes and millipedes:
On the web:
Centipede Facts for Kids, Kiddle
Millipede Facts for Kids, Kiddle
In a book: Centipedes and Millipedes (What Lives in the Dirt?) by Susie Williams, illustrated by Hannah Tolson (4.6/5 stars)
How to catch bugs
Bug hunting is a fun and interesting way to explore nature with your kids, and it’s a perfect opportunity to model gentleness and respect for other living things — even creepy, weird looking bugs!
If you want to catch bugs so that you can observe them more closely, create a temporary habitat for them. Find a wide-mouthed jar, add a little dirt and some plants, and poke plenty of air holes in the lid (or cover it with cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band.)
To catch flying insects like butterflies and moths, you need a bug net (see my recommendations below!) Show your kids how to be gentle with winged bugs — some are pretty fragile. Here’s how to catch them:
Go slow: Butterflies and moths are sensitive to movement and will skedaddle at the first sign of danger. Move slowly and quietly towards your target — approach it from behind if possible.
Swoop in: Once you're within easy reach, swiftly but gently scoop at it with your bug net. You’ll have better luck if you swoop in from the side or from slightly above the bug. Try to catch it in the deepest part of the net.
Secure the bug: Once the bug is in the net, quickly and gently twist the net closed to prevent escape. Twist as close to the net opening as possible so you don’t damage the insect’s wings.
Transfer to the jar: Position the net over the opening of the jar or other container, and untwist it just enough to let the bug fly into the jar. Have the lid ready — pop it on fast!
To catch crawling insects, use large leaves, a jar, or a scoop-type bug catcher (my recs below!) to gently scoop them up. Sometimes, if the bug is cooperative, it will willingly climb on the leaf or scoop. Other times, you’ll have to be faster than the bug and swoop it up and into the jar quickly, before it gets away.
To catch an insect that’s just sitting around on a leaf, stick, or rock and doesn't seem inclined to run away, just pick up its perch and place it in the jar with the insect still attached, minding its own biz.
When you’re done observing the insects you’ve caught, release them back into their natural habitat as close as possible to where you found them.
Fun tools for the backyard bug hunt
Quietly observing insects is a great way for your kids to get to know them up close and personal, and it can lead to a passion for insect collecting down the road.
If your bug lover wants to get a closer look at these little wonders, all you really need is a bug catching net and assorted jars with holes poked in the lids. But if you like to do things up fancy, here are a few bug catching tools you can find on Amazon. My recommendations are based on high ratings, great customer reviews, and a reasonable price tag.
If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, which helps offset the time it takes to slog through so many options and find the best ones so you don’t have to! So, thank you! And, you’re welcome!
Bug nets
A bug net is a must for catching flying insects. When it’s not in use catching bugs, you can use it to skim debris out of the kiddie pool — and it comes in handy for getting a bat or hummingbird out of your house with as little fanfare as possible. Here are two bug catching nets that have high ratings and great reviews.
