The Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits are open with free general admission through Friday, January 17. Get your tickets for NHM and La Brea Tar Pits.

DIY Bug Home at Home with Diana Sanchez

Member mother and daughter looking at bug hotel in nature gardens

Diana Sanchez, Gallery Interpreter at NHMLAC, shows us how to construct a Bug Home with materials that are easy to find in your own home! 

Gather your supplies and follow along!

Below are some examples of supplies:

1. A sturdy container

  • Tissue box 
  • Packaging box (used in finished example)
  • Shoebox
  • Tin box
  • Birdhouse (optional)

2. Rolls & Tubes: 

  • Paper rolled up tightly (Paper can be rolled around a pen or pencil and then glued to secure shape. It would be helpful to pre-roll these in advance of the activity, but not required).
  • Toilet paper roll
  • Paper straws (optional)
  • Hollow bamboo sticks (optional)

3. Pen/Pencil

4. String or twine Scissors Tape (optional)

5. Glue, gluesticks, hot glue gun (optional)

6. Ruler

7. Natural Materials

  • Leaves
  • Sticks
  • Rocks
  • Grass/straw
  • Wood/mulch
  • Pinecones...anything you find interesting in your yard or at your local park!

Share your Bug Homes with us on Social Media and don't forget to tag #NHMLAMembers!