While science can sometimes seem difficult and boring to your kids, it does not have to be that way at all! There are so many fun science activities that can help create a passion and excitement in your kids about learning. Since the weather’s nice and warm as summer begin to wind down, why not get them outdoors to observe the local flora and fauna? Take your kids to a local pond or marsh to search for minnows, frogs, tadpoles, butterflies, and more. Here are a few tips to get this cool field-trip started!
Supplies. You’ll need a small mesh net, some good, waterproof boots, and a few moderate-sized jars. Make sure to poke holes in the jars so that air filters in while you’re observing the creatures! This is a good opportunity to teach your children about being respectful towards nature.
Where to go. Swamps, marshes, ponds, and creeks are all great places to go to search for this kind of wildlife. For butterflies, parks and fields are great places — as long as the weather is good, they’ll be brightening up any afternoon sky! Check near bushes and flowers especially. To find tadpoles, look along the edges of ponds, where algae is located. They can best be found in shallow spots. Fish are generally found in streams and ponds.
What to do once you’re there. To catch tadpoles, grab your mesh net and dip it in the pond water where the tadpoles are located. Put them in a jar — but first make sure that the jar is filled with water from the same pond you caught the tadpoles in! Put some weeds and algae in there. Be sure not to mix in ANY tap water — chlorine will kill the tadpoles. Have your kids observe them and note the key characteristics, and then let them go! Don’t take the tadpoles from their natural habitat unless you’re sure that the area you’re in allows it.
Then, to compare, have your kids find frogs! They’ll be amazed to see that the tiny tadpoles they just saw can turn into these cool, slimy creatures. Frogs generally hang out near bodies of still, fresh water. They’re fast, slippery, and scared of people — so don’t make any loud noises and step carefully! You can catch frogs with your mesh net — just make sure not to injure them in any way. Let your kids carefully cup the frog in their hands, making sure they’re gentle, and observe its features. Teach your kids some facts about frogs — for example, that they’re amphibious! If you can, bring a chart that lists different types of frogs so you can find out what species of frog it is. Then release the frog back to where you found it.
You’ll also be sure to see fish swimming around. Bring a chart with different kinds of fish listed, as well as their photos, and have your kids identify the ones that they see! Bluegills, minnows, catfish, carp, and sunfish are all common pond and stream fish that have distinctive characteristics. As for butterflies, they’re easy to spot, as they’ll be flying around! Grab your mesh net (making sure it’s dry and clean) and gently try to catch any butterflies that you see. They’re light and fast, so you have to be very quick. Let them crawl on your kids’ fingers and hands — this will teach them not to be scared of these beautiful and harmless creatures. Have your kids note the markings of the butterflies and try to identify them.
This will surely be a fun day out with your kids! They’ll learn a lot about nature — especially about how to respect it. Your kids will also come home knowing a lot more about the different species of animals than they did before! An outdoor science-themed day like this is a great way to get your kids active while still keeping the day educational.
Photo by: Trish Hartmann
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