The beginning of summer is usually marked by the arrival of noisy, crawling, flying, creeping bugs. What better time than June to get outside with your kids and explore the secret world of bugs!

Take Fireflies for example (also known as Lightning Bugs)… Seeing a Firefly up close at night for the first time, holding it in your hand or in an observation jar, watching their bodies blink on and off – is a memory most adults keep forever!

Here’s our tips for observing these backyard bugs:

What You Will Need:

• Bug Catching Net
• Container or Observation Jar with air holes
• Open Field or Lawn where Fireflies gather
• Small Flashlight (optional)
• Comfortable Evening

What You Do:

• Let your child sneek up on the Fireflies and carefully net them.
• Help transfer their catch into an observation jar.
• Let your child hold the jar and watch the light show! Count how many times the light blinks on/off while you count to 60 seconds.
• Only the male Firefly can fly, flashing his courtship message to wingless females waiting in the grass. You can lure a male Firefly to you by imitating the flashing of a female Firefly in the grass. Hold a small flashlight close to the ground and turn it on for one second. If a male Firefly flashes twice nearby, wait two seconds, then turn on your flashlight again for another second. Keep repeating this flashing sequence until the male Firefly is near you. Sometimes you can even coax him to land right on your hand!
• Make sure to release any captured Fireflies after observing them.

Want More Information About Fireflies?

Here is an excellent resource for learning about Fireflies and how they produce light:
Tufts University – Firefly Flashes

Join the Museum of Science Firefly Watch Program and help count the Fireflies in your neighborhood.

Educational Products for Observing and Learning About Bugs

Here is a selection of educational products to help your children explore their backyard and learn about the bugs, birds, and beasties that live there:

Mini-Beast Insect Observation and Identification Set – Catch insects, watch them, identify them, and keep them with this savings pack.

Worlds Best Bug Viewer – Get a close up look at the insects that live in your yard with this magnifying viewer.

Megalens Magnifying Glass with Tweezers – Use the tweezers that store in the handle of this magnifying glass to hold small creepy crawlies while you observe them up close.

LaQ Beetle Construction Kit – Build a beetle, a ladybug, a butterfly and more with this unique building construction set from Japan.

Professor Noggin’s Insects and Spiders Trivia Card Game – Test your knowledge of insects and spiders with this fun card game!

A Golden Guide to Insects and Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America – Identify the insects that live in your backyard with these detailed field guides.

Featured Products for June – An entire list of fun, educational products featured for this month’s theme of “Bugs, Birds, and other Beasties”.