15 Water Play Activities for Kids
Summer’s here and it’s getting hot! What’s better than finding fun and refreshing ways to keep the kids entertained? There’s something about Water Play Activities for Kids that just brings out heaps of excitement and joy. Whether it’s zooming down a backyard water slide or splashing around in a sensory water table, these activities are a blast and keep the kiddos cool and smiling.
Summer’s all about letting kids be kids – running wild, playing outside, and soaking up all the fun stuff the season throws our way. Think splashing in the pool, picnics at the park, and just endless Summer Activities for Kids for keeping busy.
Whatever they’re into, summer’s the ultimate playground for fun, making memories, and basking in the sunshine.
Fun Summer Activities for Kids
Want to make this summer unforgettable for your kids? Dive into some DIY crafts and nature scavenger hunts! It’s the perfect mix of creativity and adventure. Not only will these activities keep them busy, but they’ll also get them excited about exploring the great outdoors.
- Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Recipe
- Homemade Smores Ice Cream (No Machine Needed)
- Love Bug Rocks
- Summer Activities for Kids: DIY Bird Feeder
What are the Benefits of Water Play for Kids?
Water play isn’t just a blast for kids—it’s a super cool way to help them grow in all sorts of ways! When kids splash around, they’re not just having fun; they’re boosting their physical and brain power in a super playful setting. Physically, tossing, pouring, and splashing around helps kids get better at using their hands and bodies. They work on their balance and how well they can coordinate their movements, too. Then, on the brainy side, playing with water is like a fun science and math lesson rolled into one.
Kids get to experiment and learn about things like how much stuff can fit into a container and why some things float. Plus, it’s awesome for making friends and learning to work together. They share, solve problems, and create wild stories as they play. And let’s not forget, it’s also fantastic for exploring different sensations—like feeling different textures, temperatures, and how water moves.
How Can I Ensure Safety During Water Play?
Keeping kids safe while they have a blast with water play is super important, so here are some tips to make sure everyone stays safe and has fun. First up, always keep an eye on the kiddos around water, no matter how well they swim or how shallow the water is. Slippery spots? Throw down some non-slip mats around pools and play areas to keep those little feet steady. And, it’s key to teach your little ones some basic water safety rules like no running near the water and no pushing others in.
Make sure to fence off pools with locks that kiddos can’t reach to keep them out when you’re not around. If your child isn’t a confident swimmer, pop a flotation device on them, but remember, it’s no replacement for watching them like a hawk. Also, it’s a good idea to check the water’s clean and to rinse off before and after diving in to dodge infections and illnesses. Plus, having a first aid kit on hand and knowing a bit of first aid and CPR is always smart, just in case. Stay safe and enjoy making a splash!
Can Water Play Be Educational?
Playing with water is not just super fun for kids but also a fantastic way to learn. It’s like their own splash-filled science lab where they can discover all sorts of things. When kids play with water, they’re actually getting a sneak peek into physics without even realizing it. They see what floats or sinks, and figure out how water flows, which is pretty cool. Scooping and pouring water can even kickstart their math skills, teaching them about things like how much water fits in a cup.
Plus, it’s a great chance to chat about why we should keep our rivers and lakes clean and save water – major life lessons right there! By adding some fishy friends or plants into the mix, kids also get to learn about different habitats and the amazing creatures that live in and around water.
Water Play Essentials at Amazon
Find all you need for water fun on Amazon! Dive into our huge range of Water Play Essentials, from inflatable pools to sprinkler toys and cool swim gear. Shop with us this summer and enjoy fast shipping so your kids can get splashy right away!
Reusable Water Balloons for Kids – Summer Toys, Pool Beach Water Toys for Boys and Girls, Water Balloons Quick Fill Splash Balls Bomb Party Supplies Outdoor Activities with Mesh Bag (12 pcs)
Sloosh Inflatable Sprinkler for Kids, 82Water Soaker Balls Reusable Water Balloons, 60Pcs Reusable Cotton Splash Toys for Pool, Beach, Outdoor Summer Fun Activities Yard GamesSAMTOP Outdoor Water Spray Sprinkler for Kids and Toddlers, Summer Outside Toys Backyard Games with 8 Wiggle Tubes, Attaches to Garden Hose Splashing Fun Toys for 3 4 5 6 7 8 Year Old Boys Girls GiftMunchkin® Ocean™ Squirts Baby and Toddler Bath Toy, 8 packB. toys- Splishin’ Splash Animal Water Squirts Duo Pack – Summer & Water Toys for Kids- 18 months +
15 Water Play Activities for Kids
Looking for fun and engaging activities for kids this summer? Dive into these exciting water play ideas that will keep your little ones entertained for hours!
Summer sponge bombs are a fun and easy outdoor activity for kids. These DIY water toys are perfect for hot summer days and can provide hours of entertainment in the backyard or at the beach.
A DIY kiddie car wash is a fun and creative way to keep children entertained while also teaching them about responsibility. With just a few materials, such as buckets, sponges, and soap, you can create a mini car wash at home for your little ones to enjoy.
To create a unique and fun outdoor activity, try making ice chalk with your kids! Simply mix equal parts cornstarch and water, add food coloring, and freeze in molds. Once frozen, let the creativity flow as you draw on sidewalks or pavement that will eventually wash away with the rain.
A DIY water wall is a beautiful and relaxing addition to any outdoor space. Using simple materials like PVC pipes, plastic bottles, or recycled gutters, you can create your own unique water feature that adds visual interest and the soothing sound of flowing water to your backyard or patio.
PVC sprinkler is a cost-effective option for creating an irrigation system in your garden or yard. It is easily customizable and can be installed above ground, making it ideal for the Lowe’s outdoor challenge!
If you're looking for a fun and easy DIY project to do with your family or friends, a water blob is the perfect choice. Not only is it simple to make, but it also provides hours of entertainment and can be customized to fit any size or shape.
If you want to spice up your backyard parties, you can try creating a DIY sprinkler limbo game. All you need is a few PVC pipes, some water, and an old bed sheet for the limbo stick.
The Super Simple DIY Slip and Slide is a fun and easy way to beat the summer heat. With just a few materials like plastic sheeting, water, and dish soap, you can create your own backyard water slide in no time!
In this ocean-themed sensory bin, children can explore and play with soap foam that resembles the ocean waves. They can also add in various sea creatures and shells to create an immersive and imaginative ocean world!
Swimming Pool Scrabble is a fun and unique twist on the classic game of Scrabble. It involves playing the game while floating in a swimming pool, adding an extra level of challenge and excitement to the already beloved word game.
Water balloon piñata is a fun and refreshing twist on the traditional piñata game. It involves filling water balloons with water, hanging them from a tree branch or pole, and taking turns swinging at them with a stick to try and burst them open.
The Doll Bath Station is a perfect addition to any playroom and provides endless hours of fun for toddlers. With its realistic design and accessories, children can immerse themselves in imaginative pretend play as they take care of their dolls just like real parents do.
Summer is the perfect time to cool down with a refreshing ice cube boat drink. These fun and creative beverages are easy to make, using only a few simple ingredients and can be customized with different flavors and decorations.
One popular recipe for Snow Foam is a mixture of dish soap, white glue and shaving cream. This combination creates a thick and fluffy foam that is perfect for sensory play or bubble fun! You can also add food coloring to create vibrant colors for even more excitement.
A DIY water ramp is a great way to bring the fun of snowboarding or skiing to the summertime. By building a ramp out of wood and lining it with a waterproof material, you can create an exciting and challenging ride for yourself and your friends.
Thanks so much for including activities from Growing a Jeweled Rose- very appreciated!
I’m popping over from the After School Linky Party. I pinned your fantastic list. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you so much for pinning, Jana! Means a lot!
Thanks for all these ideas! My son is really getting into playing in the water lately, so we need to try some of these on the weekend.
Lisa- it doesn’t hurt that playing in the water is a great way to cool off too. My boys love playing in the water too. Even if it is just filling up the bathroom sink to play. Crazy guys!
Love your list, especially the Water Limbo. Just added this list to my list of over 2000 summer activities for kids. Love it, thank you!
Traci- doesn’t that water Limbo look like so much fun? Thanks for adding this post to your list!
Looks great!
So many fun ideas =)
I featured this at TGIF this week (http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/08/tgif-linky-party-87.html), I also G+, pinned, and stumbled it!
Thanks for sharing your creativity with the rest of us! I hope you’ll pop over and link up again today!
Have a GREAT weekend,
Beth =)
These are some new ideas I hadn’t see before! Thanks for linking up to the Thoughtful Spot!
Here are 2 more your might enjoy. We certainly do!
Wet wellie racing – put on a pair of wellies, the bigger the better. Fill them with water. Run around!
Each person has a big pop bottle filled with water stood on the ground in front of them. Take it in turns to throw a ball at another person’s bottle. If you are lucky you will knock their bottle over. They cannot stand their bottle upright again until they have fetched the ball. They then get to throw the ball at someone else’s bottle. When your bottle is empty you are out of the game.
Great ideas for keeping the kids cool while letting them outside!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
My son LOVES playing in water. I was just starting to plan out our activities for the summer. I’m definitely going to add these water play activities to our list. He will love it!
Great ideas. Glad you shared at #HomeMattersParty