Every year, we have a toadlet invasion. Usually around the Solstice and after a downpour. The children can’t resist rounding a few up and taking a closer look.
We keep the outside doors shut, as they are a curious bunch. They’ll hop in and look around. I’ve looked down, while preparing lunch, to find a row of tiny toadlets sitting on the step, watching me. Very cute, but not the place for a toadlet. One year, I found one covered in green glitter. A few have appeared from under cupboards, covered by a dust bunny. Not the place for a toadlet.
This year, the children decided to see how the toadlets swam. They used shallow trays, with stones to allow the toadlets a rest area. In case they really didn’t want to swim. They also set themselves a limit of 10 minutes maximum, so not to tire out the little toadlets.
Then they watched.
Saw how they swam and how they climbed.
Once the time was up, they released the toadlets back into the same part of the garden that they found them.
So many questions inspired by their latest toadlet encounter. I’m sure both toadlets and children were mutually curious about each other. Who knows for sure what the toadlets were thinking, but they are now back on their journey that takes them through our garden each year. I always look forward to this tradition. Part of the rhythm of our year.
Joining in with the ever inspiring Fiona over at Coombe Mill and her #CountryKid linky.
That would be amazing to see. Have you ever followed them further on their journey to see where they’re actually going?
They disappear into the woods beyond us. I suspect they scatter at that point, as we never find such large clusters of them again. Each year some make a home in our garden. Also our grass snake know their route and we see them waiting at the top of our garden. In the Spring, at night, we find a mass migration again as they cross our lane, heading as adults to a local fishing lake.
How wonderful that you have toads. The one covered in green glitter though is hilarious although I suspect it didn’t think so at the time. There’s a kids story book in that anecdote I’m sure. We have had one rogue toad here but would love to be able to experience all those toadlets. Funnily enough we are off to build a small pond today so hopefully we will at least encourage the frogs if nothing else!
The pond is the key. We’ve got one on our list too. They’ll soon find it. Hope you do get more toads and frogs.
What a great idea and a huge collection you have there. We have them here too, I think it is the river and lakes, they all congregate near the chicken enclosure,though last night the boys picked up a fully grown one which was rather special. We might have to go on a hunt and try your swimming experiment here for Activity hour, I think the children would be fascinated. Thank you for sharing on Country Kids.
Seeing them swim close up is fascinating. For the children to have the chance to observe these little creatures close up, it is a fabulous learning experience. I know my lot loved it, and I suspect they’ll want to do this next year too. If the lack of chatter is a measure of their interest, then I’d say this activity is perfect.
A lovely post and great that the children are so fascinated by them, but understand how to look after them too. We have one toad in our garden, but hoping for more, or frogs, so we’re going to make a small container pond in the veg patch. Might help with our slug problem too! 🙂 x
Hope the toads come in their droves. I had one that lived in my greenhouse for years. We find quite a few adult ones round the garden, but very few frogs. I’m trying to encourage more slow worms too. Great slug eaters.
what a fab thing to do with the kids and such a great way to discover nature, i can imagine its a bit of a shock discovering glitter and dust bunny toads in the house
No better way for children to connect with nature. The toads in the house are always interesting. It has inspired the children to write poetry before now. 🙂
How wonderful. They look so cute and what a great way for the children to observe/experience nature. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more. Nothing like getting close to nature to really appreciate it.