Activities for Kids

Buggin’ Out: 6 Places to See & Touch Creepy Crawlies

If your little one loves creepy crawlies of all shapes and sizes, then this list is for you!

By Helen Walker Green October 19, 2017

There’s something about bugs that captures kids’ imaginations. From Madagascar hissing cockroaches and giant centipedes, to darkling beetles and pink toe tarantulas—your budding entomologists or little arachnologists will want to get the buzz on these six places where they can see and touch bugs of all shapes and sizes. Click through the gallery for the creepy crawly deets.

Burke Museum

The Burke doesn't have bugs on display year-round, but it does host an annual "Bug Blast" devoted to them (both fossilized and alive). The Burke's impending move to a new building means some events have to be combined this year. Bug Blast and Meet the Mammals will become Amazing Animals on November 12, a day devoted to fuzzy, slimy, cuddly and crawly fun! Touch live bugs like tarantulas and cockroaches and see hundreds of specimens from the Burke’s entomology collection. You'll also meet David George Gordon, aka The Bug Chef, who'll be recruiting volunteer chef’s helpers and taste testers from the audience. Try a sample of a buggy recipe with ingredients like black ants and tarantula. Yum!

Good to Know: Grownup bug fans will enjoy NiteLife on October 20. Celebrate Halloween at the Burke with what they promise will be some of the "creepiest, crawliest specimens," complete with creepy crawly cocktails

Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture
4331 Memorial Way N.E.
Seattle, Wa 98195
206-543-5590
Online: burkemuseum.org

Amazing Animals: Sun., Nov. 12, 2017; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10/Adults; $8/Seniors (65 & older); $7.50/Youth (5-18) and Students with ID; 4 & under and UW students, faculty and staff Free

Burke NiteLife: Fri., Oct. 20, 2017; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $15/General Public; $10/UW Faculty & Staff and students with any college ID; $5/Burke members

photo: David George Gordon

Have you visited these buggy spots? Do you have a favorite? Tell us in the comments below!

— Helen Walker Green