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Provided by: Mongabay Kids |Published on: December 6, 2025
Activity - Classroom
345
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.
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.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
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