I’ll be honest – I know next to nothing about pond life, its creatures or plants – but that hasn’t prevented me from exploring our local pond. A whole unknown world exists that the children and I love investigating.  We like to go with each changing season so we can enjoy the transformation that occurs and observe the aquatic life as the year passes.

Last week we went fully equipped and spent an afternoon exploring. We found a few blood worms and lots of mud, but still had a tremendous time in the autumnal sun.

Here are a few things we took with us to make the most out of the trip:

• fishing nets (one for each child – there is nothing like squabbles on the side of a pond to heighten my anxiety levels!) I love these ones as I can fit them in my bag
• 1 x pond dipping tray to fill with pond water so we can observe the creatures and then put them back into the pond
• 1 x pond life field guide so we can identify what we find (I like RSPB First Book of Pond Life as a good starter book, FSC Freshwater Name Trail and FSC Water Plants Guide)
• 1 x magnifying glass to examine our findings

It was a wonderful time outside letting our inquisitive natures marvel at yet another part of our world that is so beautifully created.

Why not head to a nearby pond this weekend and see what you find?!