How To Build A Cool Toad Abode For Your Pad

Having a five-year-old makes living life way more fun! It brings out the best in me. Building a toad abode uses my brain’s creative side to communicate with my son. Translating information for him so he understands life. It has sharpened my own senses. It’s a chance to TEACH! Untapping this creative Mom energy has me doing things differently. I look for the small things to inspire my son.

A five-year-old is still learning the concept of time. Today and tomorrow are kinda the same to them. So, he’s taught me that the concept of time is another learned behavior.

For instance, if I tell him we’re going to visit a bird sanctuary tomorrow he always asks. “Now?” They don’t live in the past or the future, kids live in the NOW! 

So, there is no time like the present! Educating children on Climate change is more important now than ever.

So, off we went to the Bird sanctuary to let him experience Nature. A tradition that keeps sanctuaries open. It allows Wildlife peaceful enjoyment of the land. It’s a place where families go to feed the ducks and explore a nature trail. It’s a place to learn.

My son found out the smallest creatures hunt and survive close to the shores. Nonetheless, frogs also hang out near the shore.

(They’ll croak if they don’t!)

They’ll reproduce and lay their eggs in shallow water. Then, larger animals and birds will eat their eggs as food. Therefore, if they disappear in large numbers it will impact the local food chain. This potentially will devastate other wild populations as well.

We live in an area developed with a mixture of houses, townhouses, and condos. Communities like mine are not built with the consideration of the wild residences. I think one of the biggest problems with current developments is the lack of habitat preservation.

We don’t build parks for wildlife only for our children`s pleasure. Our neighborhood used to be farmland and some of the former wildlife still reside here.

Throughout the Summer our neighbor, Mr. Frog, was talking from time to time. I didn’t really think much of it. Until one day I thought, It’s pretty hot out there for the little guy! Summer came and went… and this clever little fella found enough food and water to survive.

I consciously decided it was time to give our neighbor a new home. The Toad Abode is super simple and only takes about 30 minutes. For me, this is the first home I’ve ever built it. It`s probably your first time too!

Dig a shallow hole to begin the foundation of the home. Place the pebbles and Moss on the floor. Stack the sticks and wider driftwood or small logs so it leaves pockets for the Frog. Cover the wood with dirt.

Most frogs hate change. So don’t try and take a frog away from their habitat for the sake of filling the one you built. If you tried to transplant a frog from one point to another their chances of survival are slim. It could take up to two years for a frog to find the home you’ve built. So, If you can`t wait then look for Tadpoles. They’ll have a better chance of survival.

For a population to grow in your toad abode you will need a large enough pond. The pond should be 60 cm deep with lots of hiding spots, foliage, lily pads, and shallow areas.

Place the thicker flatter wood around the edges to give them a way to get out. If you choose to go with a large pond don’t stock it with fish since the fish will eat their eggs.

I chose to use a large flower pot to invite our neighbor into my backyard. Use wood in and around the edges to give them access or an escape from the pond.

My son and I went to the beach to find the building blocks for our Toad’s abode. We then turned it into a 10 Minute Shoreline Cleanup. We found all the materials and headed back home. It gave us a purpose instead of just another stroll on the Beach.

This is a good example of living consciously. I usually talk about shopping eco-friendly in the grocery store. Both activities take planning and require you to think outside the box!

Amphibians are the “canary in the coal mine.” Since frogs have permeable skin water passes through their bodies. Unlike us, they have no filter. However, like us, they prefer clean food, air, and water.

The three biggest reasons frogs lose their homes: Habitat destruction from Agriculture, urban development and logging habitat.

Secondly, from habitat fragmentation such as building a Dam in rivers, roads through the forest and walls.

Lastly, they lose their habitat from degradation usually caused by pollution. These three reasons are the reasons why people should make their backyards a frog friendly haven.

Educate your kids with more eco-friendly ideas and help children connect with Nature. An Ocean plastic pollution guide is a wonderful resource to help kids learn more. It teaches them that they can do things to make a difference. For example, reduce plastic in their lunches or shoreline cleanups with their friends. Find out how you can buy eco-friendly school supplies with the best educational guide to plastic pollution.

It’s time to take a more holistic approach and start inventing new ways to replace synthetic chemicals and materials with natural alternatives. Communities around the world have an opportunity to harvest Planet, People Products. Support small organizations that are working to support these small villages, local artisans, and grass-root organizations. Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life in a meaningful way? Buy products from small companies working with villagers. These Seagrass market bags are a good way to support artisans in Vietnam. It’s our pledge to work together to create a more natural, healthy, and Eco-friendly planet.

For more frog-friendly reads click the link below