Over in the Pond

Activity: Pond Study

Use nets to scoop in the water. Dump the contents into a dishpan with water in the bottom. As the contents settle, your mini pond will come to life. Many flying insects begin their lives as aquatic insects. Can you catch a tadpole? Look to see if it has any legs yet.

Activity: Underwater Pond Viewer

Investigate underwater pond activity with this cool homemade underwater pond devise: First, rinse out an empty half-gallon carton of milk, cut off top and bottom. Let dry. Next, cover one end of the carton with plastic wrap, securing with a rubber band. Then submerge the wrapped end partially in water (requires close adult supervision!), and look through the top to see what’s going on below.

Activity: Lily Pad Seats

At home: Using green paper cut out a lily pad shape for each child to sit on during story time. Cut a large piece of blue butcher paper in a semicircular shape (or use blue towels, scarves, or blanket) to place between you and the children. They can pretend to sit on lily pads at the pond’s edge during story time!

Activity: Go Fishing

Make fishing poles with dowels or sticks, string, and magnets. Use metal juice lids as fish. Float the “fish” in a large tub or children’s wading pool. Show your tot how to use “fishing poles” to catch the “fish.” You could also get creative and make a pond in the living room by laying out pieces of blue construction paper on the floor in a somewhat circular shape. Use long pieces of yarn to define the edge of the “pond”. Throw juice lids, paperclips, or refrigerator magnets into your pond to use as fish. See how many fish you can catch with your magnet pole.

In another tub let your tot use strainers or her hands to “catch” fish, corks, ping pong balls, sponges, plastic worms, etc. Add some sticks and catch them too! See what else floats in the water.