Play to Learn: Water Activities for kids

Parents

Jun 12

Kids love water! Whether it’s hot outside and you want to cool down or cold outside and want to warm up, playing with water is a favorite activity for most kids. Read on to find some new water activities to use at home or during your teletherapy coaching sessions.

It’s so hot outside here in South Carolina this time of the year!

I also tell people who are not from the south that it’s so hot that you can’t be outside unless you’re in water from June through at least September! Seriously….there is no break from the heat. Ever.

I’ve had to get real creative to incorporate all sorts of water play activities this summer so we can get out of the house!

Here are a few that you can try at home or during your teletherapy sessions too!

But, remember to always use close supervision during all water activities with kids at all ages!

What skills are children learning when they play with water?

Cause and effect
Hot vs. cold
Liquid vs. solid
Sensory-water is very calming for most children
Language-words such as heavy, full, wet, dry, pour, measure, splashing, etc.
Motor-Use kitchen utensils (measuring cups, turkey baster, eye droppers) to build large muscles and small muscles of the hand.

Water activities for babies

Water is such a great sensory activity for babies and the best part is that it’s not messy (usually)!

These ideas are perfect for this age group:

Baby pool play (or use a small tote box).
Play in the kitchen sink.
Tummy time over a boppy pillow with a shallow pan of water (these playmats are cool too!)
Bathtub play (don’t be afraid to use those bathtub toys outside too!)
Water table (or large underbed tote).
Household objects such as measuring cups, spoons, and bathtub toys that are safe to chew are all good additions to baby water play.

Water activities for toddlers

Toddlers are continuing to learn through their sensory experiences and movement around the world.

Allow toddlers to explore their environment at their own pace. Don’t take it personally if they don’t join in immediately with your planned activity.

Demonstrate and then invite them to play but don’t be surprised if they have other ideas.

Leave the activity out and they will most likely surprise you by joining in at a time that they choose!

Squeezing sponges (great for strengthening little hands).
Pouring water from one bucket to another.
Use a few drops of food coloring and make several different colored cups of water to mix together.
Wash play kitchen dishes, animal figurines, baby dolls. (I love this pretend sink)
Wash toys, trucks, babies using a toothbrush.
Play outside in a sprinkler or with the garden hose.
Make different colored ice cubes and paint with them outside on the driveway or in a bucket.

Water activities for preschoolers

Photo courtesy of This Little Home of Mine

Preschoolers are continuing to build their strength and coordination and now are engaged with activities for longer periods of time and have more interest in figuring out how things work.

Here are some activities to engage your preschooler:

Use a spray bottle. If you have those foam bathtub letters, spray a glass door/window/bathtub wall and then stick the letter to it.
Use eye droppers or a turkey baster to mix different colored water.
Play does it sink or float? Ask your child their guess before submerging the object!
Paint outside with water using a brush and/or paint roller.
Add a little soap and blow bubbles using a straw (Just make sure your little one know the difference between suck and blow first!)

Water activities for elementary children

Big kids still love water too! We are lucky to have the beach nearby and a community pool so we spend lots of time there with my 2 boys getting out their energy by swimming.

If your older child hasn’t already learned to swim, now is a great time since they have more coordination, strength and attention.

Here are some other fun things to do at home:

Nerf watergun games-See how much water you can fill up into a cup or bowl or have target practice at plastic cups.
Water balloons.
Wash the car.
Play in the sprinkler or water slide. (my neighbors have one like this and it’s been a lifesaver this summer!)
I’m not the biggest fan of trampolines but many of our friends have them and rave about their trampoline sprinkler.

Looking for more water fun?

Check out this post from Porch: Summer Paradise: How to Build the Perfect Kid’s Backyard Waterpark

So there you have it!

Lots of fun water activities to try at home. Hope you find a few that make getting outside more enjoyable this summer!

The best part: this is play and learning!

If you liked this article, check out these other Play to Learn blog posts from Growing LIttle Brains:

Play to Learn: Things that go!

Play to learn-30 Fun Ball Activities for kids

Play to Learn-30 Block Activities kids will love

73 Backyard activities to keep kids busy all summer + free printable

Melanie Batista, OTR/L

Melanie Batista is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Growing Little Brains. She has over 24 years experience with expertise in helping children of all ages and their caregivers grow and learn. Melanie also has 2 boys of her own at home.