TinyStepper
Girl in yellow wellies and patterned dress stirring a mud pie pot in the garden

Worm Hunt

Dig in damp soil looking for worms, woodlice, and other minibeasts.

Activity details

18m–4y15 minsmediumoutdoorNo prepGarden TrowelMagnifying Glass

Instructions

Get ready
  • Choose a patch of damp soil — garden beds, under hedges, or near compost
  • Dig gently with a small trowel together
  1. Choose a patch of damp soil — garden beds, under hedges, or near compost
  2. Dig gently with a small trowel together
  3. Watch carefully for movement: 'Look! Can you see something wriggling?'
  4. If you find a worm, let them observe: 'See how it stretches and squishes?'
  5. Use a magnifying glass for a closer look at tiny creatures
  6. Name what you find: 'That's a woodlouse. It has lots of legs!'
  7. Talk about what the creatures do: 'Worms help the soil stay healthy'
  8. Gently put the creatures back: 'Let's tuck them back in their home'

Parent tip

Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.

Toddler on a garden step examining a large leaf beside a basket of collected nature treasures

What success looks like

Curiosity in action — pointing, collecting, asking ‘what’s that?’ A child engaged with nature is learning without knowing it.

Grab a trowel, find a patch of damp soil, and dig carefully looking for worms, woodlice, beetles, and other minibeasts. Most toddlers find this absolutely thrilling — the combination of digging, discovering, and watching creatures wriggle is endlessly fascinating. A magnifying glass adds an extra dimension of scientific observation. This is nature play at its most direct and engaging.

Why it helps

The NHS Best Start in Life programme highlights sensory play as a valuable way for toddlers to explore the world and support their development. Direct contact with nature builds scientific curiosity, observation skills, and respect for living things. Digging develops grip strength and bilateral coordination. Discovering creatures provides genuine excitement and awe — emotions that in our experience are powerful drivers of learning. The sensory richness of soil, moisture, and tiny moving creatures engages all senses simultaneously.

Variations

  • Keep a simple tally of what you find: 3 worms, 2 woodlice, 1 beetle.
  • Create a temporary 'bug hotel' in a clear container for observation (release after).
  • On rainy days, look for worms on paths and pavements instead of digging.

Safety tips

  • Wash hands thoroughly afterwards, and check soil for sharp objects before digging — soil can contain bacteria.
  • Avoid areas where cats may have toileted.
  • Teach gentle handling: 'We look with our eyes and hold very softly.'

Want to try another?

River Stone Skimming Practise

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