August is now in full force and many families have had children head back to school but for us we are grasping onto the last few weeks of Summer! This month’s theme for the Nature Book Club is Ponds, Rivers, and Streams! We choose books about rivers and ponds to read and are particularly fond of By Pond and River by Arabella Buckley. You can listen to the audiobook via Librivox for free! The first chapter is all about frogs and then it goes onto share about other creatures who live in or near the pond or river. We have shared a tons of free pond resources and ways to learn about frog lifecycle in previous posts but today I am sharing an actual trip to the river!
We love exploring our county park locations since there’s over 20 places that we can walk, hike, explore and play. One of our family’s favorite is a paved bike path that goes along the river just a 5 minute drive from our house. We park in the parking lot and walk a very short distance to access the trail that leads down to the river.
Sometimes we bring the dog’s and other times we bring our nature toolbox, nets, and water boots so we can explore at the river’s edge. I tend to look at the ground to see if the mud is soft enough for animal tracks. I usually do not find much besides a deer or raccoon print. One time there was leaves, boot prints and a spider.
We check the water level of the river to see if it is safe enough to explore past the edge and possibly make it out to the island in the middle. My kids love going to the island to explore and feel all independent. Princess took Bayley over to the island and they both loved exploring. Bayley sniffed all around and Princess got to exercise her dog.
Big Red and Lil’ Red enjoy seeing what is in the water. Sometimes they explore using nets and other times they use simple water droppers and magnifying boxes.
One time we realized the “pebbles” on the ground were moving! We took a closer look and found tiny frogs were hopping all around. Of course the kids just had to catch them! Princess took one of our nets and off she set to catch one.
She got one of those little cuties and brought it over to show us! These little guys are just about full grown for their species.
Since we are long overdue to get back to the river we will prepare by listening to the audiobook in the morning and heading to the river after lunch!
Have you taken your children to the river to explore? What have you found near yours?
Welcome to Nature Book Club Monthly Link Up No 8.
Nature Book Club is a monthly link up beginning on the 20th day of each month.
It’s a monthly book club devoted to connecting children to nature. There is a theme for each month and August will be Ponds, Rivers, and Streams! We welcome your nature book and activity related links!
August’s theme for #NatureBookClub is Ponds, Rivers & Streams.
Be sure to check out the other Co-hosts as they share some Pond, River, and Stream crafts and projects!
Seasonal Pond Study and Printables from Barbara at Handbook of Nature Study
Sensory Bin and Observation Notebooking Page from Jenny at Faith & Good Works
Pond Life Printable Pack from Emily at Table Life Blog
Aquatic Science Studies: 10 Activities for Teens from Eva at Eva Varga
Above and Below a Pond Unit Study and Lapbook from Tina at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Online Book Study about Water Cycle from Dachelle at Hide the Chocolate
STEAM Challenge – Does Water Ever Flow Up? from Erika at The Playful Scholar
Who Was?® What Was?® Where Is?® Book Series: Where is the Mississippi River? from Sharla at Minnesota Country Girl
River Exploration and Frog Catching from Thaleia at Something 2 Offer
Link Up Guidelines
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- Choose an engaging nature book, do a craft or activity, and add your post to our monthly link up.
- The link up party goes live at 9:00 a.m. EST on the 20th of each month and stays open until the last day of the month. Hurry to add your links!
- You can link up to 3 posts. Please do not link up advertising posts, advertise other link up parties, your store, or non-related blog posts. They will be removed.
- By linking up with us, you agree for us to share your images and give you credit of course if we feature posts.
- Also, join our new Nature Book Club Facebook Group!
Nature Book Club theme for SEPTEMBER: Prairie Flowers
Love the exploration tackle box! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.