AUSSIE FAMILIES FALL IN LOVE WITH PERFECT ‘SCREEN-FREE’ HOBBY…

Watch Your Child Explore Nature with Ant-Keeping! Help them discover life cycles and teamwork as they watch their own ant colony grow!

Finally pull your distracted kids away from their screens! Give your child all the benefits of pet ownership – responsibility, empathy and education – without the cost or maintenance!

Queen of Ants Ant Farm Starter Kit

Great starter kit, includes everything you need, is easy to assemble, and is solidly made.

- Lukas K

Verified Customer

Introduce your child to the fascinating, educational world of ant-keeping! Our complete ant farm kits are designed to spark curiosity and wonder, offering everything needed to build a thriving colony and explore the incredible lives of ants up close.

Why Our Ant Farm Kits Are Perfect for Young Explorers:

  • Available in 3 sizes tailored to the ant species included—so kids can see how different ants adapt to their homes!
  • Option to include a beginner-friendly queen ant who will raise an entire colony of workers, giving children a first hand look at the ant life cycle from egg to adult.
  • Choose between vertical or horizontal nest designs to see every detail of colony life from the best angle.
  • Ready-to-use setup that’s simple for kids and parents alike.
  • Fun, educational, and escape-proof—designed for safe, hands-on learning!

Plus, enjoy FREE shipping on orders over $250 and a 30-day change-of-mind guarantee for added peace of mind.

Please note: Live ants cannot be shipped to Tasmania without an import permit. WA orders come with beginner-friendly species from the approved list. Email us for more details!

$170.00
- + This product is in stock now!

There are only 34 Queen of Ants Ant Farm Starter Kit () available in stock.

The Fun And Evolving Hobby Keeping Aussie Kids Off Screens

Australia’s #1 For High-Quality Ant Farms

The Fun And Evolving Hobby Keeping Aussie Kids Off Screens

Want a fun, natural antidote to your child’s screen obsession? My name is Erin Funnell and I’m a mother, Zoologist, and former RSPCA inspector. I know how hard it is to keep a child entertained without a screen.

Once I introduced my son to the exciting world of ant-keeping, everything changed. Unlike other short-lived hobbies, ant keeping is educational AND engaging. Your child can watch their mini society grow and evolve like a video game… with exciting progression, challenges, and wins along the way!

  • Swap screens for science

  • Foster a love of nature

My Done-For-You Beginner Kit Makes Ant Keeping Easy

My Done-For-You Beginner Kit Makes Ant Keeping Easy

The Queen of Ants starter kit gives your child everything they need to go from complete beginner to ant expert, all on their own. Your queen will be hand selected (by me!) to guarantee your child a thriving colony.

Plus, the formicarium (cutting-edge ant farm that lets you see inside) is simple to clean, easily expandable, and sealed to prevent escapes. Complete with water access points, ventilation and shading, I’ve scientifically set them up to make things easy. It’s a done-for-you, low-maintenance hobby that captures the magical wonder of being a child… while encouraging fun and learning for years to come!

  • Beginner-friendly, done-for-you kit

  • Australia’s #1 ant-keeping brand

How It Works

choose your kit and queen
follow the care instructions
watch your colony thrive.

What’s In The Box

Small Starter Kit
  • 1x small species ant (complete in easy test tube set-up)
  • 1x Small 'Royale' OR 'Royale Lobby' acrylic all-in-one nest
  • 1x 50ml bottle 'Ant Juice' liquid sugar ant food (random flavour selection, all natural ingredients, no added preservatives)
  • 1x Liquid sugar feeder
  • 1x Ant Protein Jelly (long shelf-life ant snack)
  • 1x 250g bag Natural Ant Sand (chemical free, washed and heat treated)
  • 1x metal tweezer 13cm (for safe cleaning and feeding)
  • 1x 4ml pipette
  • 1 x “Little Ant Queen” PDF Storybook and FREE Magnifying Glass
Medium Starter Kit
  • 1x Aphaenogastor species ant (complete in test easy tube set-up)
  • 1x medium 'Royale' OR 'Royale Lobby' acrylic all-in-one nest
  • 1x 50ml bottle 'Ant Juice' liquid sugar ant food (random flavour selection, all natural ingredients, no added preservatives)
  • 1x Liquid sugar feeder
  • 1x Ant Protein Jelly (long shelf-life ant snack)
  • 1x 250g bag Natural Ant Sand (chemical free, washed and heat treated ant snack)
  • 1x metal tweezer 13cm (for safe cleaning and feeding)
  • 1x 4ml pipette
  • 1 x “Little Ant Queen” PDF Storybook And FREE Magnifying Glass
Large Starter Kit
  • 1x Camponotus species ant (complete in easy test tube set-up)
  • 1x large 'Royale' OR 'Royale Lobby' acrylic all-in-one nest
  • 1x 50ml bottle 'Ant Juice' liquid sugar ant food (random flavour selection, all natural ingredients, no added preservatives)
  • 1x Liquid sugar feeder
  • 1x Ant Protein Jelly (long shelf-life ant snack)
  • 1x 250g bag Natural Ant Sand (chemical free, washed and heat treated)
  • 1x metal tweezer 13cm (for safe cleaning and feeding)
  • 1x 4ml pipette
  • 1 x “Little Ant Queen” PDF Storybook And FREE Magnifying Glass

Shipping Information

Australia

  • Express, tracked delivery
  • 3-5 days.
  • Live arrival guaranteed.
  • Signature required (to ensure safe placement).
  • We ship on sub-32-degree days for ant welfare on Mon & Tue

International

  • Express, tracked delivery
  • Arrival within 5 days, depending on location.
  • We’re one of the only Australian companies that ship internationally!
  • Signature required (to ensure safe placement).
  • We ship on sub-32-degree days for ant welfare and only on Mondays with live ants
  • Please take note of your country's customs taxes or duties, laws and restrictions to make sure your start-up kit arrives without hassle.

The Perfect Blend Of Fun And Education For Kids…

Give your child an early advantage and develop essential life skills!

Social Skills And Communication

A fun and engaging way to learn about team building, task allocation, and communication within a community.

STEM Learning

Discover aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to give your child an essential skillset from a young age.

Curiosity About The Environment

Let kids be kids! Spark your child’s curiosity and instil a love for learning about biology, the environment, and the natural world.

Responsibility And Caretaking

Learn to provide food, water, and shelter for the ants, developing nurturing skills as well as understanding and empathy for other living creatures.

Patience And Observation

By watching ant activities and changes over time, your child will boost patience, attentiveness, and the ability to notice small details.

Problem Solving And Critical Thinking

Observe ant behaviour, analyse patterns, make predictions, and boost their ability to find creative solutions.

10 Mind-Blowing Facts That Make Ants The Perfect Pets…

Ants are often misunderstood as ‘pests’… but the truth is, they’re pets! These natural wonders play a critical role in the environment:

1. Ants Can ‘Talk’

They communicate through chemical signals, tactile cues, and sounds!

2. Ants Are As Old As Dinosaurs

Ants have been around for millions of years. They shared the planet with dinosaurs like the T-rex, triceratops, and velociraptor!

3. Ants Have Two Stomachs

One is to hold their own food – the second is to hold food they will share with other ants!

4. Ants Have Jobs

They collect food, take out the trash, protect the nest, and care for the queen and the brood!

5. Ants Aren’t Pests… They’re Pest Controllers

Scientists often use ants as biomarkers for revegetation. They use ants as organic pest controllers in Australian mango and cashew farming!

6. Ant Colonies Are Superorganisms

Because the collective behaviour of the colony is more important than that of individual ants, colonies can be considered superorganisms!

7. Ants Work As A Team

They work together to solve complex problems, building bridges, rafts, and towers to overcome obstacles!

8. Ants Do Everything For The Good Of The Colony

All ant interactions are designed to support colony growth and brood production. They’ll continue to evolve the habitat to support the future of new ants!

9. Ants Build Complex Nests

These can range from simple underground tunnels to large mounds or even nests that are suspended nests in trees!

10. Ants Hatch From Eggs

This process is a complex and fascinating one, similar to a butterfly evolving from a cocoon!

Over 106 5 Star Reviews

Australia’s #1 Choice For A Flourishing Ant Empire…

Other Ant Farms
High-quality build

Sometimes

Done-for-you kit

Sometimes

15+ ant species
Hand-selected queen (by a Zoologist)
30-day change of mind guarantee
30-day Thriving colony guaranteed
Fully contained nest (no escapes)

Erin’s 6 Top Tips For A Thriving Colony…

As a Zoologist and former RSPCA inspector, it’s fair to say I love the animal kingdom. When well cared for, ant farms can live for up to 5 years! Follow these tips and watch your child’s face light up as their ant society grows before their eyes!

Healthy Diet

Ants need protein and carbs to keep healthy. Your kit comes with juice and jelly and we sell ant mousse for extra protein. You can also feed them fruits, meats, or even other insects. All ants are different, so experiment or Google your ant species to see what foods they eat!

Fresh Water

Your ants like clean water! Make sure the water is easily accessible but doesn’t put your ants at risk of drowning. A water-filled test tube or water feeder are perfect.

Ideal Temperature

Most ants thrive within a temperature range of 20-25 degrees Celsius. A quick Google check will help you learn about your ant species’ preference for temperature and humidity.

Safe Habitat

Ants need enough space to grow, without taking up too much space in your home. Ants don't actually like having space, they like to be cramped together Our farms are scientifically designed for ventilation, control, and observation too!

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular cleaning will keep your colony in tip-top shape and prevent mould or bacteria. Remove any uneaten food, debris, or dead ants. Make sure they have enough sand, soil, or nesting material to feel at home.

Don’t Add Other Ants

Would you like it if someone else started living in your home? Your ant farm has everything your ants need for a thriving colony. Avoid bringing in other ants or queens and you’ll keep it that way!

Customer Reviews

Total Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 18 reviews
83%
(15)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
11%
(2)
G
Georgia Murphy
Absolutely Love Watching My Colonies Develop

After first purchasing a Banded Sugar Ant Queen and set up I quickly fell in love with ant keeping. I was so impressed with the neat packaging that my items were delivered in, and have loved watching my Banded Sugar Ant Queen develop her colony. Within two weeks she had developed four healthy cocooned pupae, multiple larvae with a clutch of eggs. I shortly ordered 3 different species of ants and have experienced the same great service. The Queen ants arrived healthy and had each already started to develop their colonies with eggs and larvae. I have been so happy with my purchases and would definitely recommend Queen of Ants.

M
Matt Nelligan
Wonder when the workers will arrive?

Howdy! Now 3 weeks and still waiting for the eggs to hatch. Queen still tending to them.
Not watered or fed yet per the guide.

B
Ben Punch

It laid eggs I don't know how to tell if they hatched

B
Bailey Lee

I haven’t seen any activity and she hasn’t laid any eggs since being with me

Z
Zoe Stryker
Love my starter kit!!

I recently purchased a starter kit. My queen is absolutely wonderful and on the first day I got her she laid her first egg!! The home was easy to set up especially with the videos for any questions I had. I am so excited to watch her colony grow!!

The quality and design of the ant home is just wonderful and I had so much fun putting it together.

Our Royal Double Guarantee

I’m on a mission to help kids everywhere discover the natural wonders and joy of ant keeping. To make it as easy and risk-free as possible, your starter set is covered by our Royal Double Guarantee.

Here’s how it works:

1.
30-Day Change Of Mind Guarantee

In the extremely unlikely event that within 30 days you decide this new exciting hobby is not for you, send your items back and we’ll give you a full refund.

2.
30-Day Thriving Colony Guarantee

We go to extreme lengths to deliver healthy, fertile ants that ensure a thriving colony you’ll marvel at. That includes:

  • Careful hand selection of queen ants by an expert Zoologist
  • Fertility assessment prior to shipping
  • Temperature-controlled storage with nutrient-rich feeding
  • Protective packaging to ensure transit protection
  • Expertly crafted farms that expand as the colony grows

T&C Apply