Jess from Minibeast Adventure has given us some top tips for when your LO wants to go on their own minibeast expedition...
1. A plastic container will do
You don't need any special equipment, though it is helpful if you have some kind of tray or pot to put things in to look at them more closely. Anything will do - a clear clean plastic tub with a lid works well, but be sure to make plenty of air holes in the lid! Children love to have magnifying glasses, but lots struggle to use them. It's good to take a moment to show them they don't need to hold the glass close to their eyes - in fact they need to do the opposite.
2. Shhhhh…
Try not to be too noisy and take your time. I usually find more things by looking closely at one small patch rather than trying to cover a lot of ground.
3. Be gentle
Remember that minibeasts are small and often easily damaged - so don't handle them if you can avoid it. Children can find it difficult to pick little creatures up without hurting them. This is where the plastic pot lid can be handy as you can scoop them up to look at them more closely.
4. Ask questions
When you’ve got a minibeast in your pot, have a really close look at it. Asking questions with your child can help them notice more details; can you see its eyes? How many legs does it have? How does it move? What colour is it? Does it have any wings? Have a look at its mouth – what do you think it eats? How many bits does its body have? Does it have antennae? Does it have a shell?
5. Put it back
And most important – put it back! We have heard horror stories of margarine tubs full of dead snails rotting under the bed. The creature has a home where you found it - return it as close to where you found it as you can.
Minibeast Adventure with Jess is on CBeebies weekdays at 10:30am
