Let’s be honest, bugs get a bad rap. Creepy. Slimy. Weird little legs. It’s no wonder loads of kids would rather swipe through TikTok than explore what’s wriggling under a log. But that might be exactly why Forest Holidays has decided to launch something a bit different — Ugly Bug Hunts — to get children out of the house and into the woods.
A new bit of research from the holiday company (they’re also a B Corp, which basically means they try to be good for the planet) found that a whopping 58% of kids in Yorkshire couldn’t name a beetle if it crawled right in front of them. Not great, considering how many beetles are out there doing important jobs.
Let’s break it down and see what this bug hunt is all about — and why it’s more fun than it sounds.
Most kids can’t tell a beetle from a biscuit
So here’s the issue. According to Forest Holidays’ recent survey of kids aged 6 to 11 in Yorkshire, only 42% could correctly name a beetle. And just 44% could recognise a moth. That means over half would look at a perfectly ordinary bug and just go… “Errr, spider?”
And it’s not just about naming bugs. Only about a third of kids say they even go outside most days. Of those that do, just 36% spend that time actually looking for insects. Which is a shame, because bugs are kind of brilliant — not in a “cuddly pet” sort of way, but they’re absolutely key to keeping forests healthy.
But here’s the twist: even though loads of kids don’t go hunting for insects, 44% still think bugs are “really cool”. Why? Well:
- 56% think they’re colourful
- 50% like that they’re good for nature
- 31% say they’re small but mighty
- And 38% are into their “special powers” (like flying, camouflage, or being able to walk up walls!)
Basically, the interest is there. It just needs a bit of a nudge.
So what is an Ugly Bug Hunt?
Starting this week, families staying at any of Forest Holidays’ 13 UK locations — including Cropton and Keldy in Yorkshire — can join the all-new Ugly Bug Hunts. These aren’t your average bug walks. They’re interactive, hands-on adventures run by expert Forest Rangers who actually know their beetles from their butterflies.
Here’s what kids can expect:
- Bug-catching nets (think mini safari kits)
- Microscopes to zoom in on the tiny details
- Crafts and games themed around the forest’s little critters
- A chance to explore nature with someone who can explain what everything does and why it matters
It’s all about flipping the script on what “creepy-crawly” means. As Gerry O’Brien, one of Forest Holidays’ Rangers, puts it:
“Bugs and insects are fascinating once you stop to really look… Through our Ugly Bug Hunts, we want to take the ‘creepy’ out of crawlies and spark children’s interest in the secret life of the forest.”
Think of it like giving kids a magnifying glass and saying, “Go be a bug detective.”
Bugs aren’t just weird — they’re vital
Forest Holidays didn’t come up with this idea alone. They teamed up with Buglife, a conservation charity that’s all about saving the little things that run the world. And they’ve got a point.
Paul Hetherington from Buglife says:
“These tiny creatures are essential to life as we know it. From recycling nutrients to supporting food production and feeding other species, bugs hold our ecosystems together.”
So yeah, even slugs (ew) have a job to do.
Plus, the more kids learn about bugs now, the more likely they’ll care about biodiversity (that’s the mix of life that keeps everything ticking). Ugly Bug Hunts are Forest Holidays’ way of helping kids see just how cool — and important — that wiggly life under the log really is.
The bugs kids think they know… and the ones they don’t
Forest Holidays also looked at which bugs kids in the UK struggle to name. The results are kind of eye-opening:
Top 15 bugs most kids can’t name:
| Bug | % who couldn’t name it |
|---|---|
| Cricket | 67% |
| Daddy long legs | 61% |
| Moth | 56% |
| Dragonfly | 52% |
| Slug | 51% |
| Cockroach | 50% |
| Mosquito | 49% |
| Beetle | 44% |
| Wasp | 44% |
| Grasshopper | 44% |
| Ladybird | 38% |
| Worm | 33% |
| Fly | 31% |
| Caterpillar | 30% |
| Ant | 27% |
That’s a lot of confusion. Though to be fair, bugs do have a knack for blending in.
Yorkshire kids are doing alright — but could still use a boost
Here’s something positive. Yorkshire was in the top six regions in the UK for time spent outside, with 17% of kids saying they spend time in nature every day. Not bad!
And when kids do go looking for insects, their favourites are:
- Butterflies
- Ladybirds
Which makes sense. They’re pretty and don’t bite.
But even with that outdoor curiosity, there’s still a gap between spotting a bug and understanding it. That’s what Forest Holidays is trying to fix — not with worksheets or boring lectures, but by turning the forest into a place of discovery, mud, laughter, and (yes) the odd wiggly surprise.
A holiday where bugs are the stars
Forest Holidays’ Ugly Bug Hunts are running all year round at locations across the UK. So whether your kids are already bug-obsessed or can’t tell a worm from a wasp, this might be the perfect way to get them off their screens and into something real.
And with over 80% of Forest Holidays land managed for conservation, you’ll know your family time is actually helping keep those little creatures — and their homes — safe too.
If you want to check out the Ugly Bug Hunts near you:
Who knows? The next time your kid spots a beetle, they might not scream. They might just say, “That’s a stag beetle — they help break down rotting wood!”
That’s progress.
