Outdoor Water Play for Kids
Beat the heat this summer with these 25 fun ideas for outdoor water play for kids. From sprinklers to Slip ‘n Slides, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your sunscreen and get ready to have some fun!
Summer is in full swing and that means hot, sticky days. What’s a mom to do to keep her kids cool and entertained?
Turn to outdoor water play! whether it’s in the backyard or at a nearby park, there are plenty of ways for kids to have fun getting wet. Read on for some ideas!
Outdoor Water Play for Kids
Summertime is the perfect time for outdoor water play. Whether it’s splashing around in a sprinkler, playing tag in a spray park, or swimming in a pool, there are endless ways to have fun and stay cool.
Water play is also a great way to get some exercise, and it’s a great way to beat the summer heat.
So next time the temperature rises, head outside for some fun in the sun – your kids will thank you for it!
Are you on the lookout for some splash-tastic activities to keep your little ones entertained?
If so, you definitely do not want to miss these water table activities for toddlers!
Water play doesn’t get any cooler than playing with ice. Kids will love ice-cavating their favorite toys from giant ice blocks.
Make your own backyard carnival games. Grab a squirt gun and some plastic cups to make this DIY Angry Birds knock down game.
Host a backyard water party complete with buckets of water, bubble blowers, squirters, and sprinklers.
I can’t think of a more fun way to practice letters than to make a water balloon letter smash game!
Kids throw water balloons marked with a letter at the same letter written in chalk on the sidewalk.
Combine two childhood favorites – running through the sprinkler and a rousing game of baseball – and you’ve got a great setup for a game of Sprinkler Baseball!
If you and your kids have never built a marble run, now is the perfect time to give it a try. This Marble Run Water Slide is perfect for an afternoon of outdoor water play.
Sponge Sailboats are easy to make with your kids, and they’re tons of fun to play with.
Kids can have sailboat races in a nearby stream or just in a big bin of water in your backyard.
Fill a bucket with water and toss in some numbered bottle caps. Little ones can use a sieve to scoop out the caps, drain the water, and play a number matching game.
Grab a small fish net and fill a bin with water. Toss in some plastic caps, and you’ve got a great Net Fishing Fine Motor Play activity for preschoolers.
How to Create a Color Sorting Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Fill a water bin with all sorts of colored toys and some plastic sorting cups. Have kids use tongs or scoops to grab the items, put them in the colored sorting cups, and you’ve got a great color sorter water bin for toddlers and preschoolers.
Get ready for some serious fun when you set up a car wash sensory bin for your kids!
If you’re brave enough to take your car wash to the next level, try this DIY toy car wash.
I can’t wait to set up a water wall for my grandson next summer (he’s still a bit too young this year).
I love that this one is portable so mom can take it down at the end of the season and store it away for next year.
I’ve seen the idea to paint with ice all over Pinterest. It looks like a fun way to cool off and make colorful art at the same time.
Fishing for numbers turns math review into a fun outdoor water play activity!
In this alphabet water play game, you start writing a letter with water and ask your child to finish it.
Kids will never tire of making wiggly Bubble Snakes with these DIY bubble blowers.
Your kids will love playing catch with these homemade sponge water bombs!
Transferring water from one container to another is a fun gross motor activity for preschoolers.
If you have access to a pool this summer, you can try making these DIY pool cards.
Write letters, numbers, or sight words on the cards, toss them in the pool, and send your kiddo to get them.
Slice up some lemons, throw some containers and kitchen tools in a plastic tub, fill it with clean water, and you’ve got a great start to a lemon sensory bin.
Kids will spend hours making “lemonade”.
Sight Word Splash is a fun way to review sight words (or letters or numbers).
You won’t believe how easy it is to set up and how engaged your preschoolers will be!
Which of these ideas for outdoor water play for kids will you try first?
MUST HAVE RESOURCES:
When completing these crafts and activities at home, I find that the following resources are very helpful to have on hand.
MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Get outdoors this spring, play, and explore nature with your preschoolers. These outdoor springtime preschool activities are fun for the whole family!
Use these outdoor hand eye coordination activities to help strengthen this skill with your preschoolers. The best part is, they’ll have so much fun doing them!
Come discover some fun rainy day activities for preschoolers to enjoy. Whether you spend the day indoors or outside in the rain, we’ve got you covered!
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.