My kids raced around the small pond, nets in hand, their feet slipping on the wet rocks beneath them. They were on a mission: to catch tadpoles. This little pond was famed for its abundant tadpole population, and my 6-year-old, Ethan, paused, tilting his head as if he could hear the tiny creatures swimming beneath the surface. Suddenly, his net swooshed through the water, and he exclaimed, “Look what I caught!” He ran over, holding up his net, which was brimming with little black tadpoles. “Wow, that’s amazing!” I replied. “But remember to let them go soon; they need to breathe.”
Ethan continued to catch more, and today we were all about catch-and-release. Even my 4-year-old, Mia, managed to snag a few, and my 2-year-old, Oliver, flailed his net around and surprisingly caught three! I mostly observed, cheering them on as they gleefully passed around their amphibian trophies. When Ethan caught a tiny froglet, I momentarily panicked as they shoved it toward me. “Oh, a frog! That’s great, but let’s put it back in the pond now, okay?”
While some might say we were engaged in a science lesson, I believe we were simply embracing the joy of play. Sure, they learned a bit about frogs and tadpoles, but mostly, they were just having fun in a classic childhood activity—catching tadpoles. Unfortunately, we’ve replaced such simple joys with organized sports and structured activities, robbing our children of essential playtime.
After the frog excitement, we ventured to another part of the park, where a shallow stream flowed over a rock dam. I dipped my toes in while our dog opted to lounge on the bank. The kids, however, couldn’t get enough. They splashed through the water, digging in the sandy bottom for rocks and treasures. Ethan found a snail on a rock and, despite my husband’s warnings about parasites, the kids continued to wade upstream, pretending to search for dinosaur bones. By the time we left, they were covered in mud, and I had to strip them down before buckling them into the car to avoid a mess.
We let our kids explore and get messy in other ways, too. My husband has a fascination with carnivorous plants that he’s passed on to the kids. They love pouring rainwater into their Venus flytraps and trying to catch flies for their pitcher plants. But inevitably, playtime turns into a water fight, as they can’t resist spraying each other with the hose. I sit on the porch, warning them to stay away from me or face the consequences of losing their toys.
When they come inside, they’re usually covered in dirt and plant debris. They head straight to the tub for a splash fest, which results in more cleaning for me. It makes me wonder how many kids today have the freedom to play, scream, and make messes like we did. Are our busy schedules keeping our children from experiencing the simple pleasures of childhood? What adventures are waiting for them if we just let them explore?
This weekend, find a local pond for some tadpole hunting. Equip your kids with nets, bring a blanket, and enjoy some time under a tree. You might be surprised at how much they cherish it. Just a few hours later, I heard them whining about leaving. You’re in for a delightful afternoon of serious play.
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Summary
Children today are often deprived of the simple joys of play, like catching tadpoles or wading in streams. As parents, we should encourage messy, unstructured playtime that fosters creativity and exploration, allowing kids to enjoy their childhood fully.