Since Mia could walk around we have been going on little explorations. A child is never too young to learn to love and respect nature.

These explorations started in our backyard and then we started going to all of the nature preserves/ parks on Long Island to see what else we could find.

“Children see magic because they look for it.”    
―     Christopher Moore,    

Mia loves to explore outside and she is not afraid of bugs. In fact she loves them so much she usually will pick them up to check them out.

I decided to make her a jar so she can view the bug more closely without hurting it with her super 2 year old strength. Also, I made sure the bug will be able to still breathe in the jar.

Once we are done viewing the bug then we let it go back into its natural environment. At the bottom of this post is a list of bugs you can find in NY state. Have you seen them all?

All you need to make your own Bug Jar is:

Is Mesh screen ( which you can get from Home Depot ) , A Ball Jar, Wiggle Eyes, pom poms, scissors, hot glue gun, a sharpie marker, pipe cleaners and foam pieces

First, cut your piece of mesh screen into a square and glue it to the ring of the jar so it is attached to the jar lid and not the jar.

You don’t want it to be attached to the glass because then you won’t be able to get the bugs in and out of the jar.

 On a piece of foam write the name of your child plus Bug Jar and then hot glue it to the front of the jar.

Then make your little bugs with pom poms, pipe cleaners, foam pieces and wiggle eyes.

Make whatever bug you like, when you make them with colorful pom poms they are so cute.

Hot glue the bugs on your jar and you are all done!

Bugs are pretty cool and it is fun to try and identify the ones that are native to Long Island.

Here are a list of bugs that you can find in New York State—-> Bugs of NY

How many can you find?

Related Article: Lil Bugs Made of Buttons and Foam