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ADVENTURES

daily activities

NEXT DAY

Kingdom of Bugs

Insect Architecture

Before the Empire State Building, before the Taj Mahal, insects have been dominating architecture all over the world. From cool to complex, learn how bug homes have inspired humans to become better and more efficient builders.

DAY 5

what you’ll need

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FOR PARENTS

Ask About Today

What are some interesting insect homes you learned about today? What materials did the insects use to create them?

Dinner Discussion

If you were dropped into the middle of a forest, you would probably want to build a shelter right away. How would you do it?

Skip the Ads

Unfortunately, online videos often start with short advertisements. Remind your campers to click the "Skip" button as soon as they can to move ahead to the video.

explore

30 minutes

Human beings aren't the only species on the planet building skyscrapers. Did you know termites built them first?

01

Home Sweet (Termite) Home

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Enter a termite mound to see how they build these tall and temperature-controlled structures.

Remember: Online videos often start with advertisements. (Annoying, we agree!) Click the "Skip" button as soon as you can to move ahead to the video.

02

Bug-Based Buildings

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Learn about an architect who used termite mounds for inspiration to design a building that can cool itself.

03

Neat Nests

From moths to ants to wasps, here are 12 more nests that will blow your mind.

04

Ant Bridge

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Watch these ants build a bridge in midair using just their own bodies. Quite a feat of engineering, right?

05

Visit the Ant Hill

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What's in an ant hill? Watch this video to see what's happening deep underground.

06

Inside a Wasp Nest

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You may have seen a wasp nest before—a big papery egg-shaped structure hanging from the branch of a tree. What's inside? Let's find out.

07

Wasp Nests 101

Wasps use paper to build their nests, but where do they get it from? (Clearly, they can't shop at Target.) First, make your own prediction. Then find out the truth.

create

45-60 minutes

Time to design and build a structure all your own...if you can do it without eating the materials first.

01

Marshmallow Architecture

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Draw inspiration from the insect world to build your own inventive structure. The catch? Your only tools are marshmallows and toothpicks.

move

15-45 minutes

01

Insect Art Gallery

Look at these sidewalk designs dedicated to bugs for inspiration, then draw your own masterpiece in front of your home. You might even want to ask your neighbors (from a distance) to join in on the fun—then take a walk down the block to admire all the bug-inspired artwork.

Stay Safe: Please remember to stay socially distanced while you're out and about.

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