Water Play Activities for Summer
Water sensory play is always a favorite with kids, especially on a hot summer day! We’re getting ready for an epic summer vacation, so I thought I’d gather some fun Water Play Activities for Summer so that we’re never without inspiration!
Awesome Ways to Make a Splash This Summer
As a psychologist and Montessori teacher, I LOVE the brain benefits that water play provides – from developing problem solving skills, enhancing language development, and also being a great way to experiment with STEAM (science, engineering, and mathematics specifically).
Water play doesn’t have to look educational to build strong brains. When a child overfills a cup, they see displacement in action; different sized containers in a water table teach how different objects have different volumes; and simply talking about how the water feels are all brain-building activities.
But my favorite thing about water sensory play is how fun it is! The kids have a blast, they cool off, and clean up is pretty easy!
Below I’ve gathered an assortment of DIY Water Play Ideas and also Water Play Activities that you can buy off of Amazon. Be sure to pin this post for your water play inspiration this summer!
DIY Water Play Ideas
Beach Water Table Invitation (with Video) – if you can’t bring the kids to the beach, why not bring the beach to them? This post also includes instructions on how to make your own DIY Waterproof Sand.
LEGO Water Sensory Bin (And Next Comes L) – this is perfect for busy kids who don’t want to splash but still need to cool down, or just a LEGO-obsessed kid!
Foam Sensory Bin – this is a great one for keeping the kids busy while you’re trying to get things done in the kitchen.
Water Balloon Pinata (Red Ted Art) – I love this clever twist on water balloons!
DIY Water Wall – this has to be one of my favorite things I have ever built for my daycare kids! For an even easier version, check out my friend Angela’s Pool Noodle Water Wall!
Spring Rain Sensory Bin – this simple Spring sensory bin is great indoors or outdoors!
Fire Cup Knock Down Game (Lalymom) – long time readers know that fire safety and prevention is very important to me after a friend lost her son in a house fire. This game from my friend Laura is a great option – and I also have a printable fingerprinting fire activity.
Mini Water Blobs (hello, wonderful) – I NEED to make these amazing DIY water blobs this summer!
Gross Motor Water Transfer (Simple Fun for Kids) – this is a great Montessori-inspired gross motor activity that involves minimal set-up and will make busy kids feel like they are doing “real work.”
Super Soaker Sponge Balls (Natural Beach Living) – another super easy DIY to keep the kids cool this summer!
Painting with Water (Still Playing School) – my daycare kids always love “painting” all the outdoor toys with water!
Sensory Soup (The Chaos and the Clutter) – is one of my favorite types of sensory bins!
Water Xylophone Science Experiment – this is a fun experiment to try when the kids are done splashing!
Water Play Ideas Available on Amazon
1. Backyard Adventure Water Park Slide Sprinklers, 17.9 Foot long Fun Course Party
2. Intex Surf ‘N Slide Inflatable Play Center
4. Intex 15ft X 48in Metal Frame Pool Set with Filter Pump, Ladder, Ground Cloth & Pool Cover
5. Little Tikes Rocky River Mountain Race Inflatable Slide Bouncer
6. Little Tikes Wet & Dry First Slide with Slip Mat
7. Blast Zone Crocodile Isle Inflatable water Park with Dual Slides by Blast Zone
8. Intex 18ft X 10ft X 42in Oval Frame Pool Set with Filter Pump, Ladder, Ground Cloth & Pool Cover
9. Banzai Sidewinder Falls Inflatable Water Park Pool with Slides & Cannons
10. Watermelon Ball (not pictured)
11. Intex 8ft X 30in Easy Set Pool Set with Filter Pump (not pictured)
12. PLAYMOBIL Water Park with Slides Playset
13. Wham-o Slip and Slide Extreme
14. Bunch O Balloons – Instant Water Balloons – Blue (3 bunches – 100 Total Water Balloons)
15. Intex Ocean Inflatable Play Center
16. Fire Hydrant Garden Hose Sprinkler Splash Sprays 8 Ft by Fun Splashers
17. Banzai Pipeline Twist Inflatable Water Park Pool with Slides & Cannons
18. Step2 Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table
19. Buckets Of Fun RPBOF Backyard Waterpark
20. Fireman Toys Backpack Watergun Blaster Extinguisher with Nozzle and Tank Set
21. BANZAI Slippery Slime Mat (Outdoor Backyard Summer Spring Slimy Slick Splash)
22. SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy
23. Intex Swim Center Family Inflatable Pool
24. Nerf Super Soaker (2pack)
25. Wet Head Game
26. Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Splash Patrol Sprinkler Toy
27. Goliath Hydro Zoom Ball (2 Player)
28. Inflatable Water Spray Ball Outdoor Fun Toy for Hot Summer
29. Wahii WaterSlide 75 – World’s Biggest Backyard Lawn Water Slide
30. Little Tikes Frog Pond Water Table
31. Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
33. Banzai Chipmunk Backyard Critter Water Slide
34. Step2 Finding Dory Swim & Swirl Water Table
35. Intex Dinoland Inflatable Play Center, 31″ X 90″ X 44″, for Ages 3+
36. RAVE Sports 00002 Dock Slide (not pictured)
37. Inflatable Palm Tree Yard Sprinkler
38. Banzai Aqua Blast Obstacle Course
39. Tidal Storm Hydro Swirl Spinning Outdoor Sprinkler
40. And quite possibly my favorite Water Play Toy of this round-up – Intex Candy Zone Inflatable Play Centre
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