Event type
Animal Awareness Day
Event status
Passed
Dates
17 June - 25 June
Price
Free with Zoo entry

Join us for a whole host of activities to mark Insect Week at Whipsnade Zoo!

We're shining a spotlight on some of the smallest, but mightiest animals at Whipsnade Zoo - including some native species that you might not be familiar with. 

From 17 - 25 June, we'll be running events and activities - from storytime sessions with Sophy Henn to touch tables - as we celebrate the little things that run the world:

Native moth survey 

  • When: Saturday 17 June, Sunday 18 June, Thursday 22 June, Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June
  • Where: Meet at 10.30am at the Visitor Centre. 

Did you know that more than 2,500 species of moth have been recorded in the British Isles? Moths are really important pollinators and a key part of the food chain. Join us to help us survey the moths found at Whipsnade Zoo and help us to monitor these native species. 
 

Move like a minibeast

  • When: Sunday 18 June and Sunday 25 June 
  • Where: Meet at 12.30pm and 15.30pm at Owl Wood 

Have you ever been to a minibeast sports day? Do you know who the fastest or strongest insect around is? Join an interactive mini tour to find out more about some interesting insects. Tours last for approximately 20 minutes and are aimed at children ages 3+. 

A bee on a pink flower
A ladybird on a leaf

Invertebrate touch table

  • When: Throughout the day from Monday 19 - Friday 23 June
  • Where: In the Butterfly House and Aquarium

Meet our volunteers as they talk you through our touch table of invertebrate biofacts and discover some unusual pollinators. Plus, take part in interactive games and find out how you can help the insects around your home. 
 

Keeper Q&A

  • When: Saturday 17 June, Sunday 19 June, Saturday 24 June, and Sunday 25 June 
  • Where: 2.30pm in the Butterfly House 

This is your chance to ask your burning questions to an expert ectotherm keeper surrounded by our beautiful butterflies. 

A butterfly on a leaf at Whipsnade Zoo

Interactive story sessions

  • When: Saturday 24 June at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm 
  • Where: Next to our Aquarium and Butterfly House 

Love Sophy Henn's LIFESIZE Creepy Crawlies book? Join us for four interactive story sessions with Sophy, followed by a draw along session! Copies of the book will also be available to buy in our Zoo shop and Sophy will be doing book signings. 

All Insect Week activities are included in your Zoo entry or membership. 

Book Zoo tickets

Lifesize creepy crawlies book cover
Move like a minibeast activities at Whipsnade Zoo
  • Orange butterfly perched at Whipsnade Zoo butterfly house
    Our butterfly oasis

    Butterfly House

    One of the largest butterfly biomes in the UK, we have over 30 different species from around the world and large aquarium with two crocodiles.

  • View of Chiltern Downs from Whipsnade Zoo
    Native wildlife at the Zoo

    Native wildlife conservation

    From moles to badgers, from grizzled skipper butterflies to cinnabar moths and slow worms, from grass ants to bumble bees, Whipsnade is a haven for biodiversity and we do everything we can to protect it.

  • Visit Whipsnade Zoo
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