Safe observation activity
Become a Bug Detective
A classroom-friendly activity that teaches kids to observe bugs safely, ask good science questions, and tell an adult when something may be a pest.
Bug Detective Checklist
Kids should observe without touching. A grown-up can help take a photo from a safe distance.
- 🔎 How many legs does it have?
- 🔎 Does it have wings?
- 🔎 What color is it?
- 🔎 Was it found inside or outside?
- 🔎 Was it near food, water, wood, a bed, or pets?
- 🔎 Did you see one bug or many bugs?
- 🔎 Was there a nest, trail, swarm, web, or damage nearby?
Safety First
Do not touch unknown bugs.
Do not pick up spiders, ticks, bees, wasps, or roaches.
Do not disturb nests, hives, webs, or swarms.
Do not spray pesticides.
Tell an adult if bugs are found in beds, kitchens, bathrooms, or walls.
Classroom Activity
Draw the Bug You Found
Students can draw a bug from memory, a teacher-approved photo, or a classroom example. Then they answer the questions below.
Where was the bug found?
How many legs did it have?
Did it have wings?
What colors did you see?
Was it near water, food, plants, wood, or pets?
Was it helpful, harmless, or a possible pest?