There is something so simple and soothing about playing with water - especially when it is hot - take a look at some of these water play activities for all ages for a little inspiration!
Here in Australia, many areas are in drought and on water restrictions so it's important that we as adults and educators help children to play with water responsibly and understand what we can do to save water while still enjoying some simple water play.
Use small scale water play as an opportunity to open conversations about what drought looks like, what it means for our farmers and how it impacts us in our own community.Try introducing 2 or 3 of the ideas from the poster below.
This natural disaster picture book series from Australian author Jackie French includes a book on drought that you might like to explore with the older children.
There are many different ways to play with water and not all of them involve wasting water!
Take a look at some of the ideas in the collection below to help inspire you this summer...and remember to always use any leftover water on the gardens after play!
Amanda shared this amazing looking ocean invitation to play in our Facebook group. You can pick up plastic ocean animals from places like Kmart or the dollar stores.
One of our community members Rhiannan embraced a similar concept but went BIG with her ocean animals!
This water play setup within a tuff tray is another great example of the power of simplicity. Such a simple setup that looks so inviting. Thanks to Glenda from our Facebook group for sharing this idea with us.
Add some shells and pretend fish to your water play. Grab some small fishing nets and you have a simple but fun fishing activity set up. Thanks to Michelle for sharing this with us in The Empowered Educator Facebook group.
Lemons and oranges in the water play area - a great way to use up any leftover fruit and adds another sensory element to the water play. Thanks to Tonia for sharing this activity idea with us.
Amanda put together another amazing looking water play invitation with the addition of flowers and fruit. So pretty - I want to get in there and explore too!
Scooping and Pouring
Mignon shared this photo of her water play with us - scooping yoghurt lids (a great way to upcycle those!).
Empowered Ed member Debbie set up this fun tea pouring station.
You will find more fun and easy to setup scooping and pouring water play ideas below:
Bubble Play
Kaylene shared this simple idea of bubbles in the tuff tray. Add a few whisks and some toys and your activity is sorted!
I extended on bubble play by adding some colouring and whisks and scoops to challenge those wrist muscles. You can see exactly how we played HERE.
Take the bubbles a step further with the addition of some food colouring like Empowered Ed group member Elizabeth did. How much fun does this look for the senses?!
Exploring Colours with Water
Veronica shared this invitation to explore colour and water in the mud kitchen in our group recently.
This colour mixing experiment was another simple activity idea from Empowered Ed member Amanda. Using the droppers is a great fine motor activity and they also got to explore colour mixing too. You might like to swap the small droppers for turkey basters or medicine syringes if you have those instead.
Turn your water play into a fine motor activity with the addition of tongs. See what else we put in our coloured water HERE.
Click on the links below to find more water play activities exploring colour:
Playing with Ice
While you still have your ocean animals out, mix up your water play by freezing it! Perfect for a hot summer's day, and a great way for the children to explore what happens to the ice as it melts. Thanks again to Amanda for this great idea.
Another fun 'frozen' way to play with water is by freezing flowers like our Facebook Group member Lou did here.
Sharon took the frozen balls another step further mixing it up with flowers, leaves, herbs and even beads. The children had great fun guessing what was in each one and watching them escape from the ice as they melted.
Jenny added bugs to her ice play and the children had a ball breaking the ice with hammers.
Need more icy inspiration? Take a look at the links below to see more fun ways to play:
Pretend Play with Water
Empowered Ed Member Kate set up a baby washing station. What a fun water based invitation to play.
Debbie shared her washing activity with us - the children will love washing the doll's clothes and hanging them out too. I love this picture - look at the concentration!!
Debbie from our Empowered Educator community set up a window washing activity - so easy!
What is your favorite way to play with water and teach children how to use it sustainably?
Why not join our community of over 15,000 educators in our Empowered Educator Facebook Group.
A Little About Me
Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.
Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.
Thank you ! for giving many water activities ideas. I love your ideas and I am going to start to practice with toddlers and preschoolers.
Edith
Thanks for sharing water play ideas, I love using all this with the children I work with. water play seems to be one of the favourite activities in my centre.