Best ant farm for kids

Susan Fernandez June 06 2022

If your kid is constantly asking you about bugs, then getting them an ant farm might be the perfect solution. Ant farms are a great way to teach kids about the life cycle of ants and how they work together as a community. Plus, they're just really cool to watch. There are a lot of different ant farms on the market, so we've rounded up the best ones for kids of all ages.

What type of ant farm is the best?

There are two main types of ant farms: gel and soil. Gel ant farms are made with a special gel that allows the ants to build their tunnels and chambers. Soil ant farms use, you guessed it, soil. Both have their pros and cons.

Gel ant farms are generally more expensive, but they're also easier to set up and maintain. Plus, kids can see the ants better since the gel is transparent. Soil ant farms are less expensive and can be a little more fun for kids to watch since the ants have to do more work to dig their tunnels. However, they're not as easy to set up and maintain, so they might not be the best option for younger kids.

What else should you consider when choosing an ant farm?

There are a few other things you should keep in mind when choosing an ant farm for your kid. First, think about the size of the farm. Some ant farms are small enough to fit on a desk, while others are large enough to take up a whole table. Second, consider how easy the farm is to set up and maintain. You don't want something that's too complicated for your kid (or you) to handle. Think about what type of ants you want to get. Some farms come with live ants, while others let you order them separately.

If you pick a farm with ants, you'll have to deal with them between the arrival date and the birthday when your relative's present will be delivered. It may be inconvenient for you, but it will be a letdown for your youngster if they wanted to put the ants in their habitat and watch the colony's development begin.

Another thing to think about when purchasing an ant farm is how many add-ons you believe you'll require. The majority of ant farms include a magnifying glass or magnifying viewer, but some also come with other interesting features to add interest to your child's education and provide excitement to the table.

What are the best ant farms for kids?

Uncle Milton Ant Colony

This farm features a clear gel that lets kids see the ants building their tunnels and chambers. It comes with a magnifying glass so kids can get a closer look at the ants. Plus, it has an escape-proof lid so the ants won't be able to get out.

This is a fantastic choice if you're searching for a starter ant farm that keeps ants in while keeping children out. It lacks some of the features boasted by other ant farms on our list, but its easy-to-break, failsafe, and escape-proof design makes it an excellent choice for your budding entomologist. It also comes at a reasonable price so you won't have to skimp on quality.

This is an excellent addition to your child's ant habitat. You may use it as a starter if you want to expand your kid's ant habitat activities since there are four ports for connecting additional habitats when you're ready.

Pros:

  • Escape-proof lid
  • Comes with a magnifying glass
  • Clear gel lets kids see the ants building their tunnels

Cons:

  • No extra features or add-ons

NAVAdeal Ant Farm Castle Experiment and Toy

The incredibly detailed ant farm with a tiny footprint. It may be kept in an adult's hand, but it provides a lot of fascinating features that kids will enjoy. The blue gel where the ants live is high in nutrients, and the kit includes tongs as well as a plastic pipette for convenient feeding. It's both fun and educational for all ages. This is another farm that your children may expand if they choose to continue growing their colony.

Your kid would be able to have an up-close and hands-on experience with this ant farm. Since it's small, it would be convenient to take on the go so your little one could show off their new pet ants to their friends.

Pros:

  • Tongs and plastic pipette included for feeding
  • High nutrient gel
  • Can be expanded

Cons:

  • Small footprint may make it difficult to see the ants

NAVAdeal Ant Farm Artists

The NAVAdeal Ant Farm Artists Kit is a great connector for our last ant farm and comes with a magnifying glass that's ideal for viewing ant activities and day-to-day chores. This set is larger than the other NAVAdeal farm on our list, and it includes a magnifying glass that is ideal for studying ant interactions and common duties.

This ant farm is a perfect way to teach your kids about the everyday life of an ant while providing them with hours of fun and entertainment. The kit includes everything you need to get started, including an instruction booklet, a magnifying glass, and an activity guide.

The NAVAdeal Ant Farm Artists Kit is a great option for kids who are interested in studying ants and their behavior. It's also a great choice if you're looking for an ant farm that is larger than the others on our list.

Pros:

  • The glass quality is nice
  • Larger than other NAVAdeal ant farm
  • Instruction booklet and activity guide included

Cons:

  • No extra features or add-ons

Educational Insights GeoSafari Day ‘N’ Night

If your kid likes to watch creatures that are constantly on the move, then they’ll be fascinated by an ant farm. The Educational Insights GeoSafari Day ‘N’ Night Ant Farm lets kids observe ants both day and night, as they build their networks of tunnels.

This ant farm includes a special magnifying lens so kids can get an up-close view of the action, as well as a venturous guide to help them learn all about ants. It’s a great way to teach kids about these amazing creatures, and how they work together as a community.

The LED lights in this farm require three AA batteries to function, but they will last a long time. There is no feeding or watering required for this farm, so your child can observe without having to engage with their colony. It also comes with an activity booklet to provide extra learning as your kids watch and learn.

Pros:

  • Kid-friendly
  • Includes a magnifying lens
  • LED lights don’t require batteries
  • No feeding or watering required

Cons:

  • Some parents felt that the activity booklet wasn’t necessary

Nature Gift Store Live Blue Gel Ant Habitat

This gel farm is a great way to teach your kids about the process of metamorphosis and how ants work together as a community. It is also very satisfying to watch the ants build their own unique tunnel system.

What’s great about this particular ant farm is that it uses gel instead of sand or soil, so there is no mess. The gel also provides the perfect environment for the ants to thrive. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including live blue gel, a habitat, food, and an instruction booklet.

If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity for your kids, an ant farm is a great option. Nature Gift Store’s Live Blue Gel Ant Habitat is our top pick because it’s easy to set up and use, and it’s a great way to teach kids about the fascinating world of ants.

Pros:

  • Uses gel instead of sand or soil, so there is no mess
  • The gel provides the perfect environment for the ants to thrive
  • Comes with everything you need to get started, including live blue gel, a habitat, food, and an instruction booklet

Cons:

  • Some users have reported that the ants don’t survive long in the gel habitat

Educational Insights GeoSafari Ant Factory

One more ant farm from GeoSafari because they make high-quality, affordable ones that are great for kids. The Ant Factory is made of clear plastic so you can watch the ants build their tunnels and go about their everyday lives. It comes with a special gel food that keeps the ants healthy and provides them with all the nutrients they need. There's also a viewing window in the lid so you can check on your ants without having to open the farm. This is a great option for kids who are interested in insects and want to learn more about them.

If your goal with your new ant farm is to educate children, we highly recommend the GeoSafari Ant Factory. It doesn't contain the nutritious blue gel that most of our picks do, so you'll be able to interact with the ants by feeding them and providing them with water. It also includes an excavation tool and a how-to instruction booklet.

Pros:

  • Clear plastic lets you see the ants build their tunnels
  • Includes a special gel food that keeps the ants healthy
  • Viewing window in the lid lets you check on your ants without opening the farm
  • Comes with an excavation tool and a how-to instruction booklet

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with the blue gel, so you'll have to interact with the ants by feeding them and providing them with water

Is ant farm worth it?

Why do parents actually buy ant farms? Are they really as educative as they are claimed to be?

There is no doubt that children love animals. They are fascinated by the smallest of creatures and will stare in wonder at an ant scurrying across the floor. So it's no surprise that one of the most popular toys for kids is an ant farm. But what are ant farms, and are they really worth the money?

An ant farm is a small enclosure that contains sand or soil, and in which ants can dig their tunnels. The farms are usually made of clear plastic so that the child can watch the ants going about their everyday business. Most parents believe that ant farms are a great way to teach kids about nature and the environment. After all, what could be more natural than watching ants build their homes?

But there are some drawbacks to ant farms. First of all, they can be quite expensive. A good-quality ant farm can cost upwards of $50. And then you have to buy the ants themselves, which can be an additional expense. Another problem with ant farms is that they require a lot of maintenance. The ants need to be fed and watered regularly, and the farm needs to be kept clean. If you're not willing to put in the time and effort, an ant farm can quickly become a big mess.

So, are ant farms worth the money? That depends on your particular situation. If you have the money to spare and you're willing to put in the effort to take care of the farm, then an ant farm can be a great way to teach your kids about nature. But if you're on a budget or you're not willing to put in the work, you might be better off spending your money elsewhere.

Are there any recommendations for ant farmers?

If your kid is fascinated by animals, an ant farm is a great way to teach them about nature. But there are a few things you should keep in mind before you buy one. To grow a nice ant farm your child should:

  1. have patience
  2. be willing to put in the effort to take care of the farm
  3. be able to understand the lifecycle of an ant

If you're looking for an ant farm that is both affordable and high quality, we recommend the GeoSafari Ant Factory. It comes with a special gel food that keeps the ants healthy and provides them with all the nutrients they need. There's also a viewing window in the lid so you can check on your ants without having to open the farm. This is a great option for kids who are interested in insects and want to learn more about them.