Bug House

Snug as a Bug in a House

• What: Sunny Patch Bug House
• When: Two years and up
• Why: Affordable, secure
• Where: Amazon

If your kids also like to capture and rehome small creatures, check out this bug house. I got sick of finding empty bottles and jars to house these doomed creatures in various nooks and crannies of our home. Then we discovered this bug house, and now all critters stay safely confined, though their days remain numbered.

My kids have practiced their burgeoning caregiving skills on these bugs, slugs, and other creatures from the wilds of our yard and beyond. This cage gives them a great view of their new pets without risking escape. Because I don’t need more bugs making my house their home.

The bright color and butterfly door appeal to my kids, while the firm closure sells me. The handle makes the entire house, about seven inches long, easy to transport to the park and back for a good bug hunt. The door swivels open to allow kids to add moist paper towels, leaves, dirt, and anything else they desire for their insect companions, but stays firmly in place the remainder of the time.

You can choose from four different designs by Melissa and Doug, including a pink butterfly or yellow bug, or the older style designs featuring a butterfly option or a green bug. If you want to corral the creatures your kids bring home, stop rustling through cabinets or trash and recycling bins and grab one of these bug houses.