If you’ve got kids, then you know how much they love to learn about bugs and insects and all sorts of creepy crawlies. Unfortunately it is a known fact that these days, more and more kids are not given the chance to connect with nature. Whether it’s due to loss of habitat or the ease of sitting kids down in front of the TV, chances are that they are missing out on a world of fun.
If kids are expected to learn about the importance of this planet, and the creatures that inhabit it, then they must reconnect with nature. Thankfully Tifft Nature Preserve gives them the chance to get back to nature via a yearly event called Insectival! The event takes place on Saturday, July 12th from 10am to 2pm at Tifft Nature Preserve – 264-acre urban wetland preserve right here in the city of Buffalo (1200 Fuhrmann Blvd). Here are just some of the incredible aspects of this family friendly festival:
Planned activities include:
· Sweep-netting for insects on the grassy mounds.
· Aquatic insect exploration at the 75-acre cattail marsh.
· Learning about the importance of honeybees with guided tours to Tifft’s active honeybee hive.
· Live insect interactions with Mark Carra of Buffalo Audubon.
· Tasting edible insects including freeze-dried flavored mealworms, rice creepy treats, and chocolate “chirp” cricket cookies!
· An “Insectigation” Station featuring insect specimens from the education collection of the Buffalo Museum of Science and a private expert collection.
· “Feats of Strength” demonstrated by live Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.
· Insectival-themed crafts for children including caterpillar clacker and buzzy bookmark.
· Learn about metamorphosis during outdoor story time.
· Play educational games and learn about insect migration.
· Purchase sweet treats from James the Ice Creamcycle Dude between 11am – 1pm.
· Additional food and refreshments will be available for purchase.
*The fee to participate is $5 per person and members of the Buffalo Museum of Science save 10%. Children two years of age and under are free. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.sciencebuff.org. For more information, please call Tifft Nature Preserve at 716.825.6397.