If you’re looking for simple water play ideas that are easy but guaranteed to keep your little one busy then check out our list!

Water play is very beneficial for little ones for so many reasons. We love it because it’s simple, versatile and can be done any time of the year. 

Here are some suggestions for some water play fun ideas!

• Water trays or tables are great for creating small worlds – dinosaurs, animal figurines, dolls or toy cars go a long way in stimulating children’s interests.
• Plastic tubs (or even kitty litter trays) are inexpensive and great for smaller areas, fill them with sponges, empty pump bottles, cups etc. and watch the creativity flow!
• Try adding ice or even have things frozen in the ice cubes! Use plastic containers to freeze multiple toys. Kids will love spraying them with water or having a go breaking them out of the ice with toy hammers.
• You can even paint with ice by freezing ice cubes with a drop of food colouring, then let kids use the melting cubes to “paint” on large sheets of paper outdoors
• Spray bottles are heaps of fun and also excellent for strengthening fingers and arms.
• A bucket full of water and a paint brush will keep toddlers occupied as they ‘paint’ fences or outside walls.
• Add in dishwashing liquid for a fun and new play experience. Washing toys is one of our favourite activities to do with little ones. If you have bigger outdoor ride-ons, you can even set up a car wash.
• Coloured food dye is great for creativity. Mix different coloured water together to see what colours they make. Start off with an empty tray or tub and have different jugs with coloured water and let the kids mix in the colours.

Little things… Regularly changing the activity or objects will ensure your children will get the most out of each activity.

Start your own ‘water play box’ with various items that you can bring out when doing water play activities. Some ideas are:
– Empty plastic bottles with different tops such as screw top lids, click on lids or squeeze lids (like dishwashing liquid bottles and tomato sauce bottles – these make great squirters!). 
– Bottles with pump tops such as empty hand sanitiser bottles, hand soap etc
– Plastic measuring cups
– Plastic scoops 
– Sponges
– Cups 
– Empty butter/margarine containers

Want more? See our water play ideas in action here.

Safety: Supervision is essential at all times. Remember to empty out water or ice at the end of the activity.