Summertime is everyone’s favorite season to take advantage of the beautiful weather! But, it can be challenging to entertain a toddler on a hot summer day without a pool.
Not to worry, there are tons of water activities for toddlers that are guaranteed to keep them busy and cool. Plus, all of these activities are jam packed with hidden educational skill developments! So, go check the expiration date on your kiddo’s sunscreen- you’ll definitely be inspired to send your kiddo outside after reading these activities!
Note: Check out this post to learn more about the supplies needed for these activities.
Water Themed Sensory Bins
Wash Toys
Toddlers really enjoy cleaning. Ever notice how your little one is always looking to help out with a chore? Lean into this interest by allowing them to clean their own toys! Here's a short list of hand washable toys to get you started:
✅ Baby Dolls, Barbies, or Action Figures
✅ Zoo Animals
✅ Hot Wheel or Matchbox Cars
✅ Toy Dishes
Set Up: Grab a sensory bin or clear baking Pyrex dish, add dish soap or bubble solution, a small wash cloth, an old toothbrush.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Fine Motor Skills
Teaches:
Responsibility, Problem Solving (which toys are washable?), Buoyancy (sink or float)
Clean and Observe Seashells
Seashells are such a treasure, especially for kids. Rather you gather a collection from the beach or buy them from the store, your little one will be in awe. If your kiddo takes a liking to seashells, be sure to check out this list of easy crafts and activities to try with seashells.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Fine Motor Skills, Observation
Teaches:
Appreciation for Nature, Introduction to STEM topics
Bring Out Reusable Ice Cubes
It’s handy to have reusable ice cubes in the freezer all season long. This way, you’ll be able to pull them out whenever needed. Fill up a sensory bin with water and drop the ice cubes in.
Let your kiddo explore the cold sensation of the cubes. Many kids take notice of the water inside the cubes as it begins to thaw out and even shake the cubes to see and hear the water moving around. Other kids actually like stacking and building with these on a tray without the water. I recommend trying both activities!
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Fine Motor Skills
Teaches:
Introduction to STEM topics, Sensory Exposure, Buoyancy (sink or float), Cause & Effect (stacking)
Explore Pom Poms in Water
This activity actually comes from Susie Allison— I'm sure you know her, she's the teacher, business owner, and play advocate behind, Busy Toddler. Honestly, her kids made it look super fun and I already had lots of pom poms on hand. I tested it out with two groups of kids and I have to say, it was a hit!
Set Up: Fill up a sensory bin with water. Then throw in lots of pom poms. Offer scoopers or any tool that can be used as a scooper. Clear containers like a clean peanut butter container or a clean vitamin container make great tools for collecting pom poms. Toddler size colanders are also perfect for this activity.
Group 1, kids ages 2 and 6. Group 2, kids ages 2, 3, and 5. Both groups engaged in the activity way longer than I expected. At first, I wasn't really sure what they would do with all the pom poms. But once the supplies were added in, their creativity went wild! I think part of the appeal of this activity comes from using the pom poms in a completely unexpected way.
To dry the pom poms, pour the water out from the sensory bin and dump the pom poms into a garment laundry bag. Then put them in the dryer for 1-2 cycles.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure, Communication
Teaches:
Observation, Introduction to STEM topics such as Counting, Absorption, Buoyancy (sink or float), Vocabulary, Color Recognition
Have a Toddler Style “Car Wash”
Do you happen to own any toddler vehicles— ya know, one of those Little Tikes Ride-on Trucks? Great! Pull out a bucket, fill it up with water, then add dish soap or bubble solution. Throw in a couple old sponges and ask your kiddo to give their ride a wash. Did I mention that toddlers love cleaning things?!
You can even turn up the fun factor by having them put on their bathing suite. You can also try this activity with a wagon or even a push trike.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Gross Motor Skills
Teaches:
Task Completion, Perseverance, Responsibility
Spray Bottle Squirting
The only set up required for this activity is to fill up a travel-side spray bottle with cold water and hand it off to your toddler. Send them outside with it and I guarantee they’ll come back to you later reporting all the uses they found for it.
Over the years, I've used these spray bottles with 50+ toddlers, and they've come up with clever uses that keep their bodies moving, including: watering plants and flowers, spraying themselves to cool down, spray tag, cleaning play equipment, and erasing their chalk drawings!
It could be the size of the bottles, maybe toddlers love these things because they look like they’re designed for kids their size? Whatever the reason, spray bottle squirting is also a unique option for caregivers looking for a lighthearted alternative to water gun play.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Cause & Effect
Teaches:
Autonomy, Independence, Mindfulness of Nature
Paint With Water
Did you know that toddlers can also use sponge brushes to create magic??
This activity works best if you happen to have a wooden fence in your yard or any structure that's made out of wood.
Simply give your kid a small bucket of water and a sponge brush. Ask them to "paint" the fence using the water. On a hot day, the water dries fast- like in minutes. That's where the magic comes in- toddlers are puzzled at how this all works.
Many toddlers like to use the sponge brushes to practice writing letters, words, and drawing shapes or pictures. It’s also common for kids to attempt to paint an entire surface area before any of it starts to dry up. I’ve yet to witness a kid successfully achieve this ambitious goal… but they have a ball trying and it usually keeps them busy for 40 min or longer!
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Fine Motor Skills
Teaches:
Introduction to STEM topics, Creativity, Patience
Turn on a Sprinkler or Try a Splash Pad
Water play or any play doesn’t have to be complicated! Hooking up a sprinkler or a splash pad to a water hose can be enough to cool kids down. Plus, kids love chances to show off their bathing suits.
If you’re introducing your little one to a sprinkler or splash pad for the first time, they might be a bit nervous or scared. Try running through the sprinkler yourself to show them how fun and refreshing it is. If they’re still scared, ask them if they want to hold your hand as you walk under together. If they’re still resistant, it’s okay, don’t push it. Leave the sprinkler running for a few min but give them some space to observe or get a hand wet without your eyes glued on them.
Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied:
Gross Motor Skills
Teaches:
Adaptation, Sensory Exposure, Cause & Effect
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