The Insectarium is opening its doors for free on Feb. 6 and 7, to celebrate its 20th birthday.

If you've never been to the Insectarium, which is located next to the Montreal Botanical Gardens, it's a good indoor outing for children around age three and up.

There is an amazing variety of live insects, including some astoundingly large and long-legged ones (thankfully separated from visitors in glass enclosures). On our last visit, our 5-year-old was just at the right age to really appreciate the insects; the 2-year-old was intermittently interested, but followed along.

Special activities for the Insectarium open house include:

• Insect tastings: Yes, you can try eating various insects at 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, then at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 and 4:15.  (15 minutes)
• Bug Bites: Solve special mysteries in the Diversity Room at 9:30, 10:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. (5 minutes)
• Atta Ants: You get to see leaf-cutter ants as they harvest leaves and work in their garden, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (15 minutes)

If you find your children don't last long at the Insectarium, you could take them to the nearby Biodome, for the Caillou Discovers Winter event (on till Feb. 14).

By the way, the popular Butterflies Go Free event at the Montreal Botanical Garden – where tropical butterflies take over one of the greenhouses – goes from Feb. 17 to April 25, 2010.

The Insectarium
Address: 4581 Sherbrooke St. E. (View map)
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium/en/index.php?section=1&intParent=1
Telephone: 514-868-3000