This month, members of the Grandpa Goff Bug Club are going to go on a Snail Safari. Snails are easy to catch and observe. They are also fairly common, so we hope that wherever you live, you’ll have access to live snails.
If not, never fear. We have some fun Snail Safari activities planned that Mom and Dad, Grandma or Grandpa can enjoy with a toddler. Here’s the recommended equipment for this month’s bug club box (affiliate links):
1. This delightful picture book, “Escargot,” written by Dashka Slater and illustrated by Sydney Hanson.
2. A set of mini cookie cutters. Also known as bento box cutters, these mini cookie cutters are perfect for cutting soft foods into fun shapes. This brand includes a plastic ring that fits over the top of the cookie cutter. This not only makes the tool easier for little hands to grasp, it also helps create better leverage so you can slice through tougher foods like carrots more easily, preventing injuries to the hand.
3. Supplies for your own “Snail Salad,” including an assortment of fruits and vegetables your child enjoys.
4. Materials to make “Snail Slime,” including clear glue, liquid starch, and food coloring.
5. A copy of the Grandpa Goff Bug Club “Snail Safari” Newsletter below (Click to download).
Escargot, as you will learn, is a French snail who loves salad with “croutons and a light vinaigrette.” Escargot is not particularly fond of carrots, however, and you may not be either, but by the end of this adventure, it’s possible that both carrots and snails will be on your “favorite” list.
You can mix and match adventures from the ideas included here (or print off a copy of the newsletter for easy access). The primary goal for Grandpa Goff’s Bug Club is to provide parents or grandparents with a simple, inexpensive option for connecting with kids and having fun.
We recommend one or more of the following activities:
1. Go on a Snail Safari to find live snails
2. Read Escargot together, using your best French accent
3. Make a Snail Salad, complete with croutons
4. Try creating your own Snail Slime using any favorite recipe. Here are 4 to try, courtesy the littlebinsforlittlehands blog.
5. Commit to Read-Aloud and Think-Aloud with your children every day.
Download the newsletter, order your supplies, and prepare for fun!
Snail Safari Activity 1: Go on a Snail Safari to Find Snails
If possible, look for snails in your area. Snails love cool, moist locations so they can often be found in parks and gardens under rotten pieces of wood or boards. You’ll also find them under piles of leaves. One of the best ways to find a snail is to look for the shimmery “snail trails” they leave behind as they travel.
Put your snails inside your bug enclosure, a pail, or a clear jar for close-up viewing before you release them. If you aren’t able to find any snails, try watching this video:
In lieu of real snails, you can consider making edible snails from other foods. There are dozens of adorable ideas on the Internet via Pinterest.
Please include your comments below about this activity or any of the other Grandpa Goff Bug Club Activities. Your feedback is valuable. Next month, we are moving on to Caterpillars, so join us for all kinds of Caterpillar Craziness.
