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How to Make an Insect Display Case

Making an insect display case is an important part of the whole bug collection and identification project, usually done in grade school. There are materials readily available to construct yours easily within an hour or two, depending on how intricate your collection is and how much description you will be adding. This is a fun project for kids to do on a weekend. Here are the basics for getting your insect display case ready for presentation.

Things You'll Need

Shadow box Thin straight pins Foam board Felt Hot glue gun and sticks Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the inside of your shadow box. It can be a small 4 by 6 inch box or as large as a 16 by 20 inch shadow box, depending on how many insects you have to display. Use this measurement to cut the foam board.
- 2
  Cut a piece of felt - whatever color you choose, to be 1 inch wider on each side than the foam board. Wrap the felt over one side of the foam board. Adhere it to the back of the foam board with the hot glue. Fold the corners neatly, clipping out extra felt on the corners to reduce bulk. Glue the felt-covered foam board to the inside backing of the shadow box.
- 3
  Use the straight pins to carefully attach the insects to the felt covered foam board. Any paper descriptions you want to add can be glued in place with the hot glue. Lay the insects out in an organized manner, either in rows or squares so it looks neat and not cluttered.
- 4
  Place the front glass portion of the shadow box in place. Carefully lift the whole insect display case and make sure everything is solid and not moving. Hang on the wall or stand it up on a table to display your work.

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