Pond Dipping - A Fun Outdoor Activity For Kids!

Pond dipping can be done in a variety of places with adult supervision of course. I used to do it in my Grandmothers ponds, as well as local ponds and streams which have pond weed.

It used to amaze me to see all of the different insects, plants, tadpoles, eggs, larvae, and other alien looking life that can be seen in an around ponds etc. - The photo shows the surface of my Mothers pond and some of her many frogs and snails.

I even used to measure newts with a ruler when I was 11 or so, I had a book detailing each newt and it's measurements :0 - I have no idea why I did that! I will Blame Gerald Durrell I think, and his amazing books.

All you need for a spot of pond dipping is a fishing net, and some jam jars with string or wire around the top. Let the kids use the nets to fish random bits out and put them in their jars, If you don't know much about pond life it might be nice to take some sort of identification guide, so that the kids can try to identify the creatures that they have found.

If the creatures have big jaws be careful, some larvae can bite. Fish that have spines (like stickle backs) should be handled very carefully, or not at all, as the spines have toxins in them. (Saying that I have been prickled by sticklebacks a few times with no bad reaction.)

The kids will probably beg to take the creatures back home after pond dipping, but it's best to let them go again, as most of them are hard to keep alive with out a proper tank and airation

You might also like to also make the kids a 'periscope' each (probably the wrong word), the are used to look inside the water without getting wet, and give a really good view! 

These 'periscopes' are really simple to make from everyday items - a can, some clingfilm/sarin wrap, an elastic band or duct tape. for a better periscope use a can that is longer and wider than a regular one.

How to Make A Kids Periscope

Remove both ends of the can, file the top of it needs it, then cover the bottom of the can with cling film or sarin wrap, pull it taught and hold it in place with duct tape or an elastic band.

This can be used from the side of the pond. - the child kneels over the pond, and puts the bottom of the periscope into the water (to about 1/4 of it submerged. ) it allows them to look under the water with clarity, and makes it easy for kids to see all of the pond life and plants that live there. 

Pond Dipping Tips

• Look in places where there is a lot of pond weed, many interesting creatures live amongst the weeds. Weeds provide cover, are good for anchoring eggs to, and they also make shallow 'lagoon' type areas perfect for 'nurseries'. (like the surface of my Mothers pond in the intro pic) You can find tadpoles, various larvae, snails, newt tadpoles, frogs and toads spawn amongst the weed.

• Take a jar of water from the pond and study it, there are lots of tiny organisms that live in the water, some of which you should be able to see in the jar. Things like daphnia, which is also known as water flea. (it does not bite like a real flea)

• Look under Lilly pads. Under lilly pads are great places to see various oddities. You will most likely find snails, snails eggs, and leeches which are relaxing after a busy day bloodsucking!

• The sides of ponds - If the pond has a sheer side, then that is the place where sucker type fish can be found, They like to eat the algae which grows there. You will also find snails, and newts hanging about here.

• At the bottom of the pond - Amongst the mud, there are various worms, fresh water shrimp, woodlouse type things, and other interesting, but ugly beings. Fish and newts like to hang around just above the bottom of the pond, and can be seen easily if the water is shallow and clear enough.

Find more fun outdoor activities for kids here...