Meet the Eagle Eyed Girl: How to Build a Bug Hotel for Kids

Grab your magnifying glass, Earth Cubs, because we've got someone very special to introduce you to!

Frankie Fox has teamed up with Jamie Smart, also known as the Eagle Eyed Girl, for a brand new adventure into the teeny, tiny, totally amazing world of BUGS. Together they're showing kids how to build a bug hotel, and there's nobody better to explore minibeasts with.

Who is the Eagle Eyed Girl?

Jamie is a young wildlife photographer from Wales who spends her days exploring meadows, woodlands and nature reserves, camera in hand, looking for creatures big and small. Her adventure began when she was six and a half, after her dad passed her a camera during a nature walk. She was hooked straight away!

Here's a fun fact: before Jamie fell in love with wildlife, she was dinosaur mad. When she realised she'd never get to see a real one, she decided to love all animals instead. We think that's a pretty brilliant swap.

An Award-Winning Young Wildlife Photographer

Jamie doesn't just love bugs, she photographs them in jaw-dropping detail. She especially loves macro photography, which reveals a hidden world most of us walk straight past.

The experts have definitely noticed! Jamie won the "Ten Years and Under" category of the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition with a stunning spider picture called The Weaver's Lair. She was also named Young Overall Winner of the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 and became the youngest-ever patron of Cuan Wildlife Rescue.

Best of all, Jamie wants to inspire everyone to fall in love with nature and learn about the animals she meets. That's exactly what Earth Cubs is all about, so teaming up felt like the most natural thing in the world.

How to Build a Bug Hotel with Kids

Inspired by the episode? Here's how to make your own bug hotel at home or at school:

1. Find a frame. An old wooden crate, a stack of pallets or even a plastic bottle with the ends cut off works brilliantly.

2. Gather natural materials. Twigs, pinecones, dry leaves, bark, hollow stems and straw all make cosy rooms for minibeasts.

3. Pack it tight. Fill every gap so bugs have lots of little nooks to crawl into.

4. Pick the right spot. Place it somewhere sheltered and slightly damp, like near a hedge or under a tree.

5. Be patient! As Jamie knows, you can't rush bugs. Check back over the coming weeks to see who's moved in.

Watch Bug with Me on Earth Cubs

In our new episode, Bug with Me, Jamie and Frankie Fox dive into the incredible world of bugs, discovering why these little critters matter so much to our planet. Then get wiggling, crawling and buzzing along to our brand new song, Come Bug with Me! Both are waiting for you now on the Earth Cubs app.

Bug with Me

Frankie Fox is teaming up with wildlife explorer Jamie, Eagle Eyed Girl, for a brand new adventure into the amazing tiny world of BUGS!

Explore More with the Eagle Eyed Girl

Want to see more of Jamie's amazing wildlife photos and follow her latest adventures? Visit her website at eagleeyedgirl.co.uk and prepare to be wowed!

Now, who's ready to go bug hunting? 🐞🐛🦋

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