Autumn Backyard Bug Hunt!

Autumn is a wonderful time to get outside and explore the natural world. As the leaves fall and the weather cools in Melbourne, many fascinating tiny creatures can be found in our gardens, parks and schoolyards.

Looking for a free school holiday idea? Head outdoors and take part in a Bug Hunt scavenger hunt! Using the printable scavenger hunt sheet from Bug Hunt Australia, children can search for a variety of backyard invertebrates such as ants, beetles, spiders, snails, worms and butterflies. It’s a fun way to get outdoors, observe nature closely and discover the amazing wildlife living right around us. 

What is an invertebrate?

An invertebrate is an animal that does not have a backbone. This group includes insects, spiders, worms and snails; and they make up more than 95% of all animal species on Earth! 

These tiny creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Many help pollinate plants, break down organic material, recycle nutrients and provide food for other animals.

Fun fact

Some male cicadas can sing so loudly that their call can reach around 120 decibels - about as loud as an ambulance siren! 

If your family would like to join the hunt, you can download the scavenger hunt activity sheet and learn about different bugs you might find here:

• Bug Hunt Scavenger Hunt
  • Activity sheet: Bug Hunt Scavenger Hunt – A4
  • Crossword puzzle: Bug Hunt Crossword – A4
  • Wordsearch puzzle: Bug Hunt Wordsearch – A4)
• Meet the Invertebrates

Happy exploring and see how many backyard bugs you can discover this autumn!