Last Updated on May 24, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Trying to keep the kids cool this summer? Here are 10 hands-on fun toddler and preschool water activities!
Incorporating water into your outdoor play time is a great way to keep your little ones from overheating during the summer.
Parents and caregivers know that there is nothing worse than a fussy, overheated toddler or preschooler!
These water play ideas range from color play to large motor to keep your children cool and engaged while also building skills.
10 Ways to Have fun with Toddler and Preschool Water Activities
CLICK HERE to see even more water ideas!
Alphabet Soup – Place foam letters into a water bin for toddlers to scoop out with ladles.
Color Mixing with Ice Cubes – Freeze food coloring with water into ice cube molds for kids to melt into water, experimenting with which colors melt and mix to form other colors. (Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails)
Squeezing Sponges – Provide large sponges in your water table for preschoolers to absorb, transfer, and squeeze water out of the sponges, promoting fine motor development. (Things to Share and Remember)
Pool Noodle Boats – Cut a pool noodle into rings and attach foam sails onto large straws to make your own boats to float. (The Spruce Crafts)
Frozen Water Beads – Pop some water beads into the freezer for a very cooling sensory experience. (Busy Toddler)
Recycled Marker Spray – Put your dried up markers to use in a spray bottle full of water to create your own ‘watercolor spray’ for spraying onto paper. (Hello, Wonderful)
Water Shooter Knock Down – Stack plastic cups into a pyramid for preschoolers to try to knock down using some sort of water shooter. (Toddler Approved)
Rain Gutter Water Play – Slant a PVC pipe outdoors and provide pitchers for toddlers to pour water down the pipe. Adding toy cars to this is also fun! (Frugal Fun 4 Boys)
Sponge Toss – Create your own “sponge balls” by tying strips of sponges together for kids to aim and toss into the buckets of water. (See Vanessa Craft)
Water Art – Provide paint brushes and cups of water for preschoolers to ‘paint’ onto stone or cement, creating evaporating art. (Lady and the Blog)
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