Remember when catching fireflies in a jar was peak childhood entertainment? Yeah, me neither, because apparently we’re all too busy doom-scrolling. But here’s the thing: a group of designers just created something that might actually get today’s kids to put down their tablets and start chasing butterflies instead. And honestly? It’s kind of brilliant.
Meet Rebug, an urban insect adventure brand that’s basically the lovechild of Pokemon Go and a nature documentary. Created by designers Jihyun Back, Yewon Lee, Wonjae Kim, and Seoyeon Hur, this isn’t your grandmother’s butterfly net situation. It’s a whole ecosystem of beautifully designed products that make bug hunting feel less like a science project and more like the coolest treasure hunt ever.
Designers: Jihyun Back, Yewon Lee, Wonjae Kim, Seoyeon Hur
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The backstory here is actually pretty important. We’re living through what experts are calling “nature-deficit disorder,” which sounds made up but is very real. Studies show that kids who spend time outside are happier, more focused, and way less anxious than their indoor counterparts. But between screens and city living, most children today are more likely to recognize a YouTube logo than a dragonfly. The research is genuinely alarming: kids in urban areas with frequent smartphone use are significantly less likely to do things like bird watching or insect catching. Which, you know, makes sense when you think about it. Why chase bugs when you can watch someone else do it on TikTok?
But Rebug flips the script. Instead of fighting against technology or pretending cities don’t exist, it works with both. The product line is this gorgeous collection of bug-catching tools in these dreamy pastels and neon brights that look more like designer home accessories than kids’ toys. There’s a translucent pink funnel catcher, a sky-blue observation dome that works like a tiny insect hotel, and my personal favorite: the Ripple Sparkle.
This thing is genuinely clever. It’s a device that attracts dragonflies by mimicking water ripples with a rotating metal plate. Dragonflies are naturally drawn to polarized light on water, so this gadget basically speaks their language. No chemicals, no tricks, just pure science-based attraction. The insects come to investigate, kids get to observe them up close, and then everyone goes their separate ways unharmed. It’s like speed dating for nature education.
What really gets me about Rebug is how it bridges the digital and physical worlds without being preachy about it. The brand includes this whole archiving system with colorful record cards and an app interface where kids can document their finds. Instead of just telling children to “go outside and play,” it gives them a mission. How many insects did you meet today? Where did you find that beetle? The app turns each discovery into a collectible moment, which, let’s be real, is exactly how kids’ brains work these days.
The visual design is also doing the most in the best way. The branding uses this electric yellow, hot pink, and bright blue color palette that feels more streetwear than science kit. The graphics pull from three sources: actual insect shapes, children’s scribbles, and digital glitch effects. That last one is particularly smart because it literally visualizes the brand’s whole mission of shifting kids from digital errors to natural wonders. It’s the kind of layered design thinking that makes you go “oh, they really thought about this.”
And here’s what makes this feel so timely: Rebug proves that urban spaces aren’t nature deserts. You don’t need to drive to a national park to find wildlife. There are ecosystems thriving on your sidewalk, in your local playground, in that patch of grass between buildings. Research shows that urban families often don’t realize these opportunities exist or don’t see meaningful ways to interact with city nature. Rebug hands them the tools, literally and figuratively, to start looking differently at their environment.
Could a beautifully designed bug kit actually combat screen addiction and nature disconnect? Probably not single-handedly. But it’s a start, and more importantly, it’s a conversation starter about what childhood exploration can look like in 2025. Plus, those product photos are absolutely gorgeous, which never hurts when you’re trying to convince people to try something new. Sometimes the best design solutions don’t reinvent the wheel. They just make you excited to get off the couch.
The post Rebug: The Toy That’s Getting Kids Off Screens and Into Bugs first appeared on Yanko Design.
