Build an Insect Hotel
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Provided by: Mongabay Kids|Published on: December 6, 2025
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity from Mongabay Kids, students will learn what insect hotels are, why pollinators and other insects need them, and how environmental changes threaten insect populations.
- Students will understand how providing habitat materials can support pollinators, promote biodiversity, and help ecosystems remain healthy.
Subjects: Science
Authors: Mongabay Kids
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Having all the information on one, brightly-colored page makes this resource easy to print and distribute to students.
- This activity will encourage hands-on engagement with local biodiversity.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand that animals have different habitat needs and that pollinators play an important role in plant reproduction.
- Teachers may want to preview vocabulary such as pollinator, habitat, host plant, and insect hotel, especially for students new to ecology topics.
- Teachers should be aware that the downloadable PDF does not include the note about using natural, untreated materials. If students will be taking this sheet home to make their hotels, teachers should print one of the PDFs, add the note, and make copies of the edited PDF to distribute to students.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students can compare different natural materials (straw, wood, bark, pinecones) and discuss which insects might prefer each, reinforcing habitat–organism connections.
- To extend learning, students may sketch a simple insect hotel model before building, helping them visualize compartments and nesting materials.
- Classes with limited outdoor access can create a smaller indoor model and observe which insects, if any, visit over time, promoting careful observation and discussion.
- Students who are unfamiliar with which insects are native to their region may benefit from a mini-lesson or research activity to explore this topic.
- Teachers can use this resource to make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land.
This resource explains how to build an insect hotel and why it is beneficial. The information is brief but clearly summarizes why protecting insects, especially pollinators, is essential. This activity provides an example of how students can take action and make a difference in their local area, thereby enhancing their interest and motivation to care for the environment. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Mongabay Kids
Mongabay Kids is the dedicated youth education initiative at Mongabay, an award-winning nonprofit environmental and conservation news organization. We provide free, age-appropriate news, features, activities, and multimedia resources that inspire curiosity, ecological understanding, and action. Designed for children ages 8-14, families, and educators, Mongabay Kids empowers the next generation to explore, celebrate, and protect the natural world.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
