How to Go on a Backyard Roly-Poly Hunt with Your Kids

October 30, 2026

Cover of Curio Power and the Roly-Polies, a picture book about curious sisters and roly-polies

The best way to go on a roly-poly hunt is simple: head outside, find a cool, damp spot, and gently lift a rock, log, or pile of leaves. Roly-polies love moist, shady hiding places, so that is where your little explorers will find them. Bring a magnifying glass, a soft touch, and lots of curiosity, and your backyard turns into a tiny adventure.

In Curio Power and the Roly-Polies: A Tiny Adventure About Curiosity, Sisters, and Nature, the story began with two very real, very curious sisters and one backyard full of secrets. This guide helps you plan your own family bug hunt, just like the one that inspired the book.

What is a roly-poly, anyway?

Here is a fun surprise for kids: a roly-poly is not an insect at all. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, the pillbug is an isopod, "a type of non-insect arthropod also known as a terrestrial crustacean." That makes roly-polies cousins of crabs and shrimp!

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County shares a few more things kids love to count and compare:

Roly-polies have 14 legs, which is seven pairs.
They grow to about 0.4 inches long.
When they feel scared, they curl into a tight ball. Scientists call this "conglobation."

Want even more? Our post 10 Fun Roly-Poly Facts for Curious Kids is packed with them.

Where do roly-polies live in the backyard?

Roly-polies need moisture to survive, so they hide in places that stay cool and damp. The UF/IFAS Extension says their main home is "under mulch, fallen leaves, and rocks." The Natural History Museum adds that they live almost anywhere with soft, damp soil.

Good places to check:

Under flat rocks or stepping stones
Beneath fallen logs or old boards
In leaf piles and garden mulch
Around the edges of flower beds
Near shady spots that stay damp after rain

What is the best time of day to find roly-polies?

Roly-polies are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. But don't worry, you can still find them during the day. The UF/IFAS Extension notes they "may be found during the day in the soil or under debris." So a daytime hunt works great as long as you look under things. Morning, or a day after a gentle rain, is a nice time to try because the ground is often still damp.

What should we bring on a bug hunt?

You don't need fancy gear. Here is an easy kit for kids ages 3 to 8:

A magnifying glass for close looks
A small clear cup or container with a little damp soil and a leaf inside
A soft paintbrush or a leaf to gently scoot bugs
A notebook and crayons for drawing what you find
Gardening gloves for lifting rocks and logs

How to go on a roly-poly hunt, step by step

Pick your spot. Choose a shady, damp corner of the yard, garden, or park.
Lift slowly. A grown-up can help lift rocks or logs, rolling them toward you so any critters underneath stay safe.
Look closely. Roly-polies are small and blend in with the dirt. Ask kids to count legs, look at the shell plates, and watch how they move.
Observe gently. If you pick one up, let it walk onto your open hand or a leaf. Never squeeze. If it rolls into a ball, that means it feels nervous, so give it a quiet moment.
Keep it short. If you put a roly-poly in a cup to look at, keep the soil damp and the visit brief.
Put everything back. Return each roly-poly right where you found it, then gently set the rock or log back in place. That is their home!

Fun questions to ask during your roly-poly hunt

Questions turn a bug hunt into a learning adventure. Try these:

How many roly-polies did we find under this rock?
Why do you think they like it dark and damp here?
What do you think they eat? (Hint: roly-polies eat dead and decaying plants, like old leaves.)
What would it be like to be as small as a roly-poly?

That last question is a favorite for little readers, and it is a big part of the fun in Curio Power and the Roly-Polies. You can learn more about these tiny characters on our Meet the Roly-Polies page.

Pair your bug hunt with children's books

After the hunt, bring that curiosity inside. Children's books about nature help kids connect what they saw outside with new words and ideas. Snuggle up, read together, and ask kids to point out things they spotted in the yard.

Curio Power and the Roly-Polies was written by Linda Ellis, an educator, daycare owner, and deaf author who wants every child to feel the joy of discovery. Linda's story reminds kids and families that curiosity belongs to everyone. The book is beautifully illustrated by Jean Ruth and made for ages 3 to 8.