Need Inspiration to Entertain the Kids During the Holidays?
Embrace spooky season with Butterfly Conservation’s top five weird, wild, and wonderful activities to keep kids entertained this October Half Term.
1. Carve a Butterfly or Moth Pumpkin
Get ready for spooky season by carving a butterfly or moth-inspired pumpkin. Head over to the Butterfly Conservation website to pick a butterfly or moth design, copy their outline onto your pumpkin, and cut out your design! For more detail, print an image, trace it with tracing paper and a thick pencil, and transfer the design onto your pumpkin. Then it’s time to carve! Share your creations with Butterfly Conservation on their social media channels: @savebutterflies.
2. Go on a Weird and Wild Walk
Autumn is the season when nature can get a little eerie. Grab your wellies and raincoat, then head outside to discover strange and wild sights! From zombie caterpillars to skeleton leaves, check out Butterfly Conservation’s spooky spotter sheet for ideas on what to look for.
3. Stay Up After Dark!
As the nights grow longer, there’s still plenty to explore after dark! Create your own moth trap using this handy tutorial to see what’s lurking in your outdoor spaces. If you’re short on time, grab a torch and examine fallen fruit, berries, or ivy for nocturnal visitors. For an extra treat, make a “moth cocktail” with some wine, sugar, and a rope: Heat a bottle of inexpensive red wine (without boiling), dissolve 1 kg of sugar into it, let it cool, then soak lengths of rope in the mixture. Drape the ropes over branches or bushes at dusk and check for moths during the first two hours of darkness.
4. Play Hide and Seek
Wonder where butterflies go in the colder months? Some overwinter as caterpillars, eggs, or chrysalises, while others like the Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, and Peacock butterflies hibernate as adults. To help them, encourage the kids to create safe hiding places! Leaf and log piles are perfect for caterpillars, and uncut hedges and ivy provide shelter for adult butterflies. You can even make a “butterfly door” in sheds or outbuildings by leaving a small gap to allow butterflies to come and go as they please. For more ideas, visit Wild Spaces.
5. Make a Moth Mask
Looking for Halloween costume inspiration? Try making a moth mask! This fun craft will keep kids entertained on rainy days and makes for a great party activity. Download your moth mask template and follow the easy steps. Get creative by incorporating natural materials collected on your outdoor adventures.
For more family-friendly activities, visit the Butterfly Conservation website.
