Minibeast Trail
Meet the Minibeasts
Immersing yourself in the micro-world of minibeasts is one of the most effective ways of learning about nature and is universally loved by all ages. Handling creatures carefully develops empathy and understanding of how animals vary widely in adaptations to their habitat.
Classification, careful observation and identification are all skills which fit perfectly into this topic and as always, we provide all the equipment needed such as magnifiers, ID guides and sorting pots.
Session Details
- This session is suitable for one class at a time of up to 30 children. The class will then split into 2 groups of 15
- The session lasts 50 minutes
- Required ratio – 4 adults : 30 children
Nature Discovery Day
The class will be split into 2 groups of 15, who can follow the trail in opposite directions to allow children to get the most out of the activities and make supervision easier.
Below you can download the activity guides for groups following the trail clockwise and anticlockwise.
Early Years
Download the EYFS pdf guides for these activities:
Session Overview and Learning Objectives
Activity Guide - Anticlockwise
Key Stage 1
Download the KS1 pdf guides for these activities:
Session Overview and Learning Objectives
Activity Guide - Anticlockwise
Key Stage 2
Download the KS2 pdf guides for these activities:
Session Overview and Learning Objectives
Activity Guide - Anticlockwise
Minibeast information sheets can be downloaded from the resources section for pre or follow up work in the classroom at school.
Resources
Get excited and lay the foundations before your visit, or follow up the session and solidify key learning outcomes with these additional resources.
Download a simple Identification Guide for common minibeasts
Download a plenary presentation template with pictures of the key minibeast species
Download labelled pictures of the common minibeasts found under logs
Download the Minibeast Sculpture activity sheet
Download the Minibeast Fact Sheets (made for the Fact Finding Activity, download so you can run this activity at your location)
Watch our 3 minute video guide on how to demonstrate minibeast hunting to your group
Watch our 9 minute guided video microscope session of creatures found under logs, and learn a little more about each species.
Please be aware that there are some flashing scenes in this video.