A fun way to explore the outdoors, and capture insects without harming them, here’s how to make your own bug catchers from a disposable bread pan.
Here are a few more outdoor ideas we think you’ll love – Water Knee Hockey, Bubble Snakes, and Outdoor Play Station,
I have a son who loves finding and catching bugs. I don’t know where he gets this love, as it is definitely not a passion of mine, but nevertheless, he spends his days bug hunting, looking for beetles, ladybugs, dragonflies, caterpillars, spiders, and everything else that makes his mom cringe!
We’ve purchased several bug catchers from stores like Walmart and Dollar Tree, but here’s an idea for a bug catcher kit you can make from home that only costs a few pennies!
Here’s how to make it –
How to Make Your Own Bug Catchers
You can find everything you need for this bug catcher at the dollar store.
SUPPLIES –
- aluminum bread loaf pan with plastic lid (mine came as a set of 2.) If your loaf pan doesn’t come with a lid, you can use plastic wrap.
- pipe cleaner
- thumb tack
- optional embellishments: paint + paintbrush, ribbon, stickers, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS –
Make two holes on opposite sides of your bread pan by sticking a thumbtack into the aluminum and wiggling it around to make the hole big enough to fit a pipe cleaner inside.
Insert one end of your pipe cleaner into the hole and bend it to bunch it up so it is nice and snug. Repeat with the other side so you have a handle for your bug catcher.
Poke several holes in the top of the lid with your thumbtack.
Embellish! You can let your child paint it, add some stickers, etc. We painted ours white, let it dry, then added some color with a simple geometric design.
We also added some ribbons to our handle. Not necessary, but so cute, right?!
Lastly, we added some twigs, bark, leaves, and grass to the inside so our bug friends would be nice and cozy!
Now your bug catcher is ready for you to catch bugs! Have fun!
DIY Bug Catchers Tutorial
Here’s a printable tutorial so you can save this idea for later:
How to Make Your Own Bug Catchers
Ingredients
- aluminum bread loaf pan with plastic lid (mine came as a set of 2
- pipe cleaner
- thumb tack
- optional embellishments: paint + paintbrush ribbon, stickers, etc.
Instructions
- Make two holes on opposite sides of your bread pan by sticking a thumbtack into the aluminum and wiggling it around to make the hole big enough to fit a pipe cleaner inside.
- Insert one end of your pipe cleaner into the hole and bend it to bunch it up so it is nice and snug. Repeat with the other side so you have a handle for your bug catcher.
- Poke several holes in the lid of the container with your thumb tack.
- Embellish! You can let your child paint it, add some stickers, etc.
- Add some twigs, bark, and grass to the inside so our bugs would be nice and cozy!
- Now your bug catcher is ready for some bugs! Have fun!
What are some fun ways you are making memories outside this summer?
