Bring the seaside to you!
With summer finally here, the children’s favourite thing to do is play with cool splishy, splashy water in the nursery garden.
We’ve put together five simple, fun water play ideas you can try at home with your little ones:
1. Sponge Splash Station
Fill a shallow tray, washing-up bowl, or paddling pool with a small amount of water and add clean sponges of different sizes. Babies and toddlers will enjoy squeezing, splashing, and transferring water between the different containers.
As well as helping develop hand strength and coordination this will keep children cool on warm days.
2. Toy Car Wash
Set up a ‘car wash’ using toy cars, plastic animals, or dolls. Provide a bucket of water, sponges, and soft brushes.
Children can scrub, rinse, and clean their toys while engaging in imaginative play.
3. Water Wall Adventure
Let us tell you, our playground’s Water Wall is the place to be when the sun shines.
To create a simple water wall at home attach recyclable plastic bottles, funnels, and tubing to a fence or trellis using string or cable ties.
The children can pour water at the top and watch it travel down different routes. Not only good fun but it encourages curiosity and early understanding of how ‘cause and effect’ works.
4. Garden Sprinkler Fun
On a warm day, set up a garden sprinkler on a low setting and let your little one explore the gentle water spray.
Babies may enjoy sitting nearby and feeling the water on their hands and feet, while toddlers can toddle and run through the streams.
5. Seaside Water Play
Bring the beach to your back garden! Fill a paddling pool or large water tray and add seaside toys, such as buckets, spades, boats, shells, and watering cans. Children can spend time scooping, pouring and floating different items while creating their own seaside adventures.
Safety Reminder: Play safe – always supervise children closely during water play.
