Marilyn Lopes
Extension Specialist, Family Life Education
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
University of Massachusetts
Copyright/Access Information
Children of all ages enjoy playing in water. If you have a swimming pool in your yard, it is absolutely necessary that adults supervise children in or near the pool. Even small wading pools can be dangerous for small children.
Children can have fun with water play, but adults must be willing
to spend the time to insure the safety of children playing in
or near water.
"PAINTING"
Give each child a small bucket or can with water in it and an
old paintbrush. Children enjoy "painting" the house,
steps, garage, fence, sidewalk, etc. using their own bucket and
brush.
GARDEN SPRINKLER
Instead of playing in a pool, attach the garden hose to a sprinkler.
Turn on the water and listen to the squeals of delight as the
children run through the spray of water.
BALLOON CATCH
Fill small balloons with water, and use them to play a game of
catch with
the children.
WATER PLAY ACCESSORIES
Simple household items can make water play a lot of fun. See
if you have any of these items for the children to play with:
muffin tins
sieve
measuring spoons
funnels
measuring cups
strainer
empty plastic bottles
sponges
empty squeeze bottles
corks
WET SAND
Wet some sand in a sandbox. Talk about the differences between
the wet and dry sand. Have the children dig rivers, streams, and
lakes in the sand, and fill them with water.
PING PONG BOATS
Use clean, empty margarine tubs for boats. Float the boats in
a wading pool or dishpan. Have each child take turns trying to
toss ping-pong balls into the boats.
SAILBOAT
Need:
clean styrofoam meat tray
crayons
construction paper
stapler
pipe cleaner
To Do:
Have each child use crayons to decorate the styrofoam meat tray.
Stick the pipe cleaner through the center of the tray. Secure
it by bending the end on the underside of the styrofoam tray.
Cut a small diamond shape out of the construction paper. Fold
the diamond in half to make a sail. Place the pipe cleaner in
the fold of the sail and staple to hold it in place. Take the
sailboat outside for a voyage in a wading pool or dishpan.
SINK OR FLOAT
Have each child gather a number of items from around the house
(such as a paper clip, sponge, cork, plastic toys, marble, etc.).
Take them outside to a wading pool, dishpan, or bucket of water
to see which items sink or float.
Try some experiments with the children. Can you make something
that sinks, float? Place a sinking object on a floating object.
For example, place a marble on a sponge. What object holds the
most things and still floats?
BUBBLE BLOWING
Blowing bubbles is a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Children
who are 2 -1/2 years old and older can learn to blow bubbles if
you show them how.
An easy bubble solution can be made from:
1/2 cup hand dishwashing liquid
5 cups water
A tiny bit of cooking oil added to the soap and water mixture
will make the bubbles tough enough to float in the air without
breaking easily.
You can buy bubble wands and pipes at a store or try any of these:
BOBBER
Need:
plastic container with tight fitting lid (such as a pill bottle)
piece of string (approx. 12" long)
glue
To Do:
Remove the lid from the plastic container. Place the end of the
string inside the container. Glue the container's lid in place.
Let glue dry.
Take the bobber to a wading pool, dishpan, or bucket of water.
Place the bobber in the water. Pull the bobber under the water
with the string. Let go of the string and watch the bobber BOB!