Here’s a fact: young children love water play activities! There are many different ways to use water that isn’t just a kiddie pool on hot summer days. That’s why today we are sharing 25 water activities for toddlers that are so much fun.
Fun Water Activities For Little Kids
Water play is always a great idea! Kids can develop both fine motor skills and gross motor skills in a fun way. The best part is that you don’t need a lot to have hours of fun: a tub of water, small toys, water balloons and squeeze bottles are just some of the simple things your little ones can use to beat the summer heat.
Choose a fun activity to play in warm weather, or pick one of the indoor water play ideas if it’s too cold outside. What kid doesn’t love playing with bath toys before bed on a chilly day?!
Most of these water games were created with toddlers in mind, but they can be adapted for older kids too. So, grab your supplies, and your bucket of water, and let’s have some fantastic fun.
Water Play for Toddlers
1. Make a Sensory Mini Water Blob for Baby Play
Give baby a wonderful sensory experience with this mini water blob. It’s the perfect way to make water toys that are completely mess-free!
2. Painting with Chalk and Water
This simple chalk and water activity will keep kids entertained as they discover how the water and chalk react together. It’s very simple and suits toddlers as well as older kids.
3. Let’s Play with Colored Ice Cubes!
Making colored ice cubes is perfect for keeping the kids cool and refreshed on a hot summer day! It’s just the best for cooling sensory play for kids of all ages.
4. Quick Painting the Driveway with Water Activity
Get active and outside with a super quick water activity: painting the driveway! The best part is that you can prep it in one minute. From Hands On As we Grow.
5. Garden Soup – Fine Motor Water Play Activity
You can set this activity up in less than a minute, and it will keep kids busy and learning in the backyard for ages. It’s great for developing scissors skills and fine motor skills, too! From Happy Hooligans.
6. Colored Water Transfer Play for Toddlers
This water activity is lots of fun and easy to set up inside or outside. Fill two tubs with water, add food coloring to each, and see how much fun your kiddo has. From Hands On As We Grow.
7. Simple Water Play with Balls
Let’s have some sensory fun! You only need three supplies for this activity: a play pool, a bag of balls, and water. From Learn Play Imagine.
8. Washing Toys Water Activity for Toddlers
One of the most basic water activities you can do is to wash the toys. It’s a perfect indoor water activity for toddlers to do. Just make sure to prep a bit, so there’s not a complete mess to clean up. From Hands On As We Grow.
9. Pom Pom Squeeze Water Play
This activity is a great boredom buster when you need something quick to occupy your kids, and it’s also excellent fine motor practice for toddlers and preschoolers. From Fantastic Fun and Learning.
10. Fine Motor Water Activity for Toddlers
Here’s a simple, easy prep, engaging fine motor project toddlers will love. You’ll need a tub for water bin, small plastic cups, and empty school glue bottles. From Playdough To Plato.
11. Pouring Station Activity for Toddlers
There’s nothing better than a pouring station. It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s basically free and it’s can keep a toddler entertained for so long. Give it a try! From Busy Toddler.
12. Colored Ice Sensory Play
Here’s another take on the colored ice play! It’s fun, easy to set up and clean up, and very inexpensive. The best part is that there’s tons of math and science involved. From Fun-A-Day.
13. Color Hunt and Sort for Toddlers
This is a great activity for toddlers that are learning color recognition and gross motor skills. All with some wet fun! From Toddler Approved.
14. Foam Blocks in Water
Foam blocks are so fantastic in water because they float, and the water acts as a glue, making them stick to each other and vertical surfaces. There’s so much to learn with this activity! From Still Playing School.
15. DIY Sponge Water Bombs
It takes 2 minutes to make these simple DIY water bombs and all you need is a pack of sponges and some elastic bands. From Messy Little Monster.
16. Frogs on a Speckled Log Water Play
Your toddler will love playing with colorful toy frogs that jump and splash in the water. From My Bored Toddler.
17. Spring Flower Sensory Soup
Kids that love playing with a water table will LOVE creating and playing with a flower soup. It will be so colorful! From Crafts On Sea.
18. Ice Fish Play
Ice fish are simple to make and it’s great fun catching the fish, watching the colors mix together, and exploring how they melt. From Messy Little Mister.
19. Red, White and Blue Water Sensory Bin
This red, white and blue water sensory bin is perfect for the 4th of July or other patriotic holidays, to talk about colors, or just because splashing, pool noodles and funnels are fun. From Simple Fun For Kids.
20. Underwater Glitter Sand Sensory Tray
This is a very relaxing and calming sensory tray to explore the texture and the visuals. It’s so pretty, too. From In The Playroom.
21. Make Summer Awesome with this Water Blob Tutorial
This HUGE water blob will keep your kids having fun in a hot summer day in a unique, different way. The best part is that you only need three supplies. From There’s Just One Mommy.
22. Water Balloon Sensory Bin
Making this sensory bin is so easy: simply fill a few balloons with water, put them into a plastic box with a little extra water – and watch the kiddo have fun! From Simple Fun For Kids.
23. Put The Fire Out Fine Motor Play
Let’s pretend to be firefighters today with this activity! It’s perfect for kids of all ages and all you need is some shaving foam, some paint, and a water gun. From Best Toys 4 Toddlers.
24. Water Bin Series: Pool Noodle Sensory Play
Use some pool noodles for a perfect gross motor skill, eye-hand coordination, hand control, and more. So much learning and so much fun! From The OT Tool Box.
25. Bubbles and Color in the Play Pool
Get your kid’s artistic side out with this super fun paint play! It’s pretty inexpensive and will keep kids entertained for hours. From Learn Play Imagine.
Want more water fun for kids? Try these ideas from Kids Activities Blog:
What is your favorite way to play with water with your toddlers? Comment below!