Bug hotel design competition

A creative project for kids aged 6–11 in Southwark

Bugs need our help!
So this is your challenge:
design a bug hotel.

Bug hotels benefit lots of different types of minibeasts (invertebrates) and other insects such as ladybirds, bees and spiders. These little creatures can use your bug hotel as a safe space to shelter, lay their eggs, raise young and seek refuge from predators.

We’re asking you think about the material the bug hotel will be made from – it could be disused wood or twigs or tiles or bricks from your garden or house. Get creative with your design. It could be any shape and look like your favourite building.

Use your imagination and think about a design that would make it easy for insects to live in over colder months. You might also want to give your bug hotel a name.

You can find some inspiration here and here.

The winning design will be made and displayed at the Canopi building just off Borough High Street, and you will win a brand-new microscope.

·      The Bugs Matter Citizen Science Survey, led by conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, found a 64% decline in insect numbers between 2004 and 2022 across the UK.

·      England suffered the greatest decline, with 65% fewer insects recorded in 2021 than in 2004.

How to enter

Draw a picture of your dream bug building.

Write a maximum of 150 words about the drawing, including the materials you want to use.

Then ask a teacher, parent or carer to email your entry to us. Tell us your name and age when you email.

The competition is open to children aged 6–11 in Southwark, and it closes midnight May 10, 2023.

Download a pdf

Thanks to Better Bankside for funding this competition.