Measuring Critters

Tis the season for pond studies!  When you are lucky enough to catch some amazing creatures to look at, measuring them and comparing them can be a challenge if they wiggle or swim.  Put small wiggly animals in a clear container (with water if necessary) and either slide a piece of graph paper underneath or draw a grid on the bottom of the container.  Then kids can count the squares as the animal swims by. 

If you are comparing animals from a book then try measuring their reported length out on the lawn by either spraying paint marks, using chalk on the driveway, or even a rope.  then kids can lay down and measure them with their body length.

Anyone else have some great ideas that measure up?