Mini Beasts Session Information

This session is taught at the Durham University Botanic Gardens.

Interactive Tour of the gardens explore the habitats of the garden and where mini beasts make their homes, help with the eco system and food chains of the habitats. This includes using the bird hide to look at the greater wildlife of the gardens. In our meadow or woodland are we will also gently hunt for mini beasts with our nets and magnifying glasses to try and identify what we find.
Greenhouses we look at the rainforests and desserts and how these habitats affect the mini beasts and creatures who live here. We can also explore the mini beasts who live in our tanks in the greenhouses and to handle a stick insect (seasonal dependent on their growth cycle).
Bug hotels, we head to our woodland and make cosy and snug home to help our mini beasts stay safe in the garden using natural materials we find in the woodlands.

This session costs £6 per child with all accompanying adults free.
This is a seasonal and mostly outdoors visit, we would advise booking for Autumn Term 1, Summer Term 1 or Summer Term 2.
There are two entrances to the Botanic Gardens. Coaches will usually drop you off at the Howlands Park and Ride (DH1 3TQ) entrance (no.26 on map). From here it is just a short walk through the kiosk gates and up the hill to the Visitors Centre (no. 1 on map) where a member of the team will meet you.
On the day of your visit, we will make a note of the number of children present. This means that we get the exact numbers for the visit on the day, and you will not be charged for anyone who is unable to be there unexpectedly. The invoice will be sent directly to your school after the visit has taken place.
We offer sensory bags, visual stories, larger print sheets, printing on coloured paper and wobbly cushions for our visits, if you feel that this is something that could help any child in your class then you can let us know before the day of your visit.
Please don’t forget any extra things you may need such as: sensible shoes, raincoats, sun cream, picnic blankets, water, lunch, camera, hearing aids and a sick bucket.

This session is not available as an outreach visit to school or as an online session.