OBSERVE a puddle
Related to the Nature Time episode, “Raising Curious Kids”
Season: All
Time: 45 minutes
Going for a walk after a rain shower with your child is a wonderful way to connect with each other and to connect with nature. There are often puddles of rainwater that are fun to splash in, jump over, or observe. There is a lot of experimentation and exploration that can come from taking a closer look at a puddle.
Observing puddles can help children:
Begin to understand the role of water in helping nature work
Build observation and measurement skills
You Will Need:
Chalk or string
Measuring tape
Magnifying glass
A Song to Sing: When water falls down it precipitates. When it rises back up it evaporates, and forms a cloud when it condensates. Then it starts all over again.
What To Do:
Go for a walk with your child and pick a puddle to observe. Make sure the puddle is safe for observation. Pay attention to its location and depth. If the puddle is too near car traffic, it is not a good choice. If it’s more than a couple of inches deep, it also might not be a good choice.
Once your child picks a puddle, ask them some questions:
How big is the puddle? Can you think of a way to measure it?
Do you think it will always be there?
Where do you think the water goes when the puddle dries up?
If the puddle is on a sidewalk or another hard surface, outline it with chalk and see how its size and shape change overtime. Talk about why it changes. Maybe the sun dries it up, or people walk through it, or animals drink out of it.
Introduce the idea of the water cycle by singing this song: “When water falls down it precipitates, when it rises back up it evaporates, and forms a cloud when it condensates. Then it starts all over again.”
Look to see if any creatures live or play in the puddle. If the puddle lasts a long time, it might become a home for tiny organisms. In this case, use a magnifying glass to take a closer look. Also, birds might use the puddle to hunt for food or to bathe. Thirsty squirrels and other animals might drink from the puddle. Talk about how all living things need water to live.
Is there anything floating in the puddle? Play the sink or float game. Try putting a leaf, stick, or rock in the puddle to see what happens.
Before you leave the puddle, ask your child what they think the spot will look like after the puddle is gone. Will they still be able to tell where it was? Where will the water go? Sing the water cycle song as you walk home.
Reflection: Puddles can be like mirrors, providing a different perspective for looking up toward the sky. Take a moment to look at the reflection in your puddle. Ask your child what they see and how it looks different. Sometimes looking at the world from a different perspective can help you notice new things.
We hope you had fun together! Want to share? Snap a photo and share it with us on Instagram.