Ant Farm

What they explore

Living things are fascinating, especially when they live in groups like ants, as then you can watch what the individuals do and also how they work together.

Observing and caring for the ants teaches children a lot about living things, what they need and how to look after them.

What you need

• a one litre drink bottle
• a clear two litre drink bottle
• cardboard
• sticky tape
• sandy soil
• paper towel
• rubber band
• cotton wool
• a pin

What you do

Cut the tops off both bottles at the shoulder. Discard the tops but keep one cap.

Use the cardboard to make a platform that covers the top of the smaller bottle and fix it on with sticky tape.

Stick some more tape or some blue-tack on the bottom of the smaller bottle and put it inside the larger one. Position it in the middle, so there is an even gap between the two and push it down firmly, so the tape or blue-tack will hold it in place.

Fill the space between the two bottles with sandy soil, stopping about 8 cm from the top.

Carefully capture some ants. If you don’t want to pick them up, put a piece of fruit or some honey in an open jar near their nest and the ants will come to you.

Transfer the ants onto the soil in your bottle, then cover the top with paper towel secured with a rubber band.

Use a pin to make some fine holes in the towel so the ants don’t suffocate.

Now you and your child can enjoy watching and caring for your new pets.

Try not to move the bottles too much or the ants’ tunnels could collapse. Don’t keep them in direct sunlight.

The cardboard platform can be used to hold the ants’ food and water.

Provide water by placing some cotton wool in a bottle cap and soaking it with water every day.

You can feed your ants breadcrumbs dipped in sugar water or honey and small bits of fruit. One half teaspoon of food a week is enough for 10 to 20 ants.

When you have finished with your colony, make sure you release the ants back where you found them.

What to ask

• Can you see the tunnels?
• What do you think that ant is doing?
• What things do both ants and people need to live?