With the aim of encouraging greater understanding of the natural world around us and getting more children enjoying the great outdoors, Forest Holidays has launched Ugly Bug Hunts – new interactive activities focused on our forests’ heroes, at its 13 UK locations, including at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
The recent study also showed that only 42% of children in the East Midlands would be able to identify a mosquito if they stumbled across one, with only 45% saying they spend time outdoors most days of the week, and when they do venture outdoors, only 21% use their time to look for bugs.
Whilst many children aren’t spending their time outdoors in this way, there’s a clear interest among six-to-11-year-olds when it comes to their crawly companions. 61% of children in the region think bugs are “really cool” because they’re colourful (55%), good for nature (70%) and small but mighty (25%), whilst 35% are impressed by them because they have “special powers”.
To help encourage children to immerse themselves in nature, as of this week, families enjoying a holiday in nature at one of Forest Holiday’s unique locations will be able to make the most of the guided woodland Ugly Bug Hunt sessions led by expert Forest Rangers, with children able to learn how to spot, identify and understand the role bugs play in keeping our forests alive and thriving.
The initiative, which has been developed in partnership with conservation charity Buglife, aims to take the ‘creepy’ out of crawlies and encourage adventure in the UK’s forests - through the colours, shapes, and secret lives of the UK’s smallest creatures. Continuing through the year, the Ugly Bug Hunts are part of Forest Holidays’ wider commitment to encouraging outdoor learning and nature connection.
Gerry O'Brien, Forest Ranger at Forest Holidays, commented: "Bugs and insects are fascinating once you stop to really look. Whether it’s the way they camouflage themselves, how they break down organic matter or their role in pollination, they’re vital to forest life.”
“The research shows there’s a gap in knowledge and understanding – but also a real curiosity.
"Through our Ugly Bug Hunts, we want to take the ‘creepy’ out of crawlies and spark children’s interest in the secret life of the forest. By getting hands-on with nature, we hope to inspire them to get outside, discover the wildlife beneath their feet, and understand the biodiversity that keeps our forests healthy.”
Each Ugly Bug Hunt will include a range of exciting games, crafts and immersive activities, including using bug-catching nets and microscopes to discover the unexpected world of bugs with the help of an expert Forest Ranger, allowing children to see the forest from the perspective of our mini forest heroes!
Paul Hetherington from Buglife said: “These tiny creatures are essential to life as we know it. From recycling nutrients to supporting food production and feeding other species, bugs hold our ecosystems together.
“We believe helping children experience this first-hand is key to building long-term awareness, empathy and respect for nature and through our work with Forest Holidays, we hope to spark that fascination early on."
As a certified B Corp, Forest Holidays is unrivalled in its deep-rooted connection to nature. They embrace their responsibility for the environment, with over 80% of the land they occupy being managed for conservation. The brand actively supports the long-term health of the UK’s forests - helping fund conservation projects, sustain local wildlife habitats, and back rural communities across Britain.
To find out more about the Ugly Bug Hunts, visit here for Nottinghamshire
East Midlands was amongst the bottom 5 regions in the UK when it comes to children spending time outdoors, with only 12% spending time in nature every day.
When they do venture outside, it seems ladybirds are their favourite to find, closely followed by butterflies.
Across the UK, the top 15 bugs children wouldn’t be able to name are as follows:
Cricket – 67%
Daddy long legs – 61%
Moth – 56%
Dragonfly – 52%
Slug – 51%
Cockroach – 50%
Mosquito – 49%
Beetle – 44%
Wasp – 44%
Grasshopper – 44%
Ladybird – 38%
Worm – 33%
Fly – 31%
Caterpillar – 30%
Ant – 27%