Ants are experts in burrowing tunnels and teamwork –– behaviours which are fascinating to see up close in a jar. The process of making an ant farm is ideal for teaching children about compassion, and that all animals are important, even the tiny ones!
Fun fact!
Ants are some of the strongest creatures on Earth, able to carry up to 50 times their own body weight!Equipment needed
- Bowl
- Soil and sand
- Sieve
- Jam jar
- Safety pin
- Honey, jam or sugar
Steps
1
Collect some soil and sieve it into a bowl so it is very fine. Mix in a handful of sand and moisten it with a small amount of water. Scoop the soil into a jam jar. This is your ant farm.
2
Now, it’s time to make some important air holes. Punch some small holes into the lid of the jar using a thin pin.
3
Hunt around outside for a group of ants. Gently coax some onto a leaf, being careful not to harm them, and then direct them into the jar and screw the lid on.
4
Keep the farm in a dark, quiet place where the ants can tunnel in peace. Look after the ants by giving them a small amount of sugar, honey or jam every few days. See how they are tunneling and moving about! Be sure to release the ants back into the wild after a week.
