Why I Let Bugs Crawl on My Kids

Ladybugs! The kids and I leisurely strolled across the wide lawn at Oxnard Beach Park over spring break. We were on our way from the playground to the beach, when we spotted bugs flying up from the grass.

The kids went crazy! Imagine their excitement at one ladybug – now multiply it by the hundreds. I counted at least 2-4 ladybugs for every square foot of grass. Everyone wanted to feel those little legs crawling and see those spots close-up.

My mom, sis, and nephews were with us and it was fun to see all the reactions from the different ages. My 8yo was oh-so-cool and scientific. He studied their markings and tried to figure out how they fly. My 6yo nephew just wanted to hold one, or two, or three, or four . . .  My 4yo laughed at the ladybugs crawling on her flower dress and giggled when they landed on her hair.

My little 3yo nephew didn’t want to leave. He sat crouched on the grass with his helmet still on from riding his scooter. Everyone moved on towards the beach and I sat there for a moment with him. We watched the ladybug walk up and down blades of grass. My nephew very quietly and sweetly said, “He’s looking for his family.” Awwwww! So cute.

And that’s why I let bugs crawl on my kids. I will not forget this day. I won’t forget the tenderness in my nephew’s voice or the patience and gentleness he exhibited with his new creepy, crawly red and black friends. I don’t think he will forget either. Nature is memorable.

We continued our walk down to the beach and guess what we found at the tide line?  MORE ladybugs.  They were crawling all over the sand in zig-zaggy patterns. During the whole encounter, I was most impressed by how frantic and frenzied they acted. Up the blade of grass. Back down. Over obstacles. Flying. Moving. Looking for something? They did the same thing in the sand. One nature’s great and wonderful mysteries.

Learn more about ladybugs on National Geographic Kids Creature Feature. I always turn to this site when I want to teach the kids about an animal we’ve encountered.

This post is part of the Backyard Mama Wednesday blog carnival about “Sharing Nature.” Man, I wish I had her backyard!