Water Play for Toddlers: Safe and Fun Backyard Activities

We are on the cusp of fall, but that doesn't mean all our warm afternoons for the year are behind us. There is still plenty of time for your little ones to play in the sun. So, don't put those water activities away just yet.

Water play can be a great way to spend a warm afternoon with your toddler. Yet, a kiddie pool can only take you so far. That's where we come in. To help you keep your little one entertained outdoors, we've compiled a fun list of water play ideas for toddlers. These water activities are both safe and fun, making them a plus for the whole family!

The Perks of Water Play for Toddlers and Kids

Have you ever wondered why kids (and adults) are drawn to water play? Sure, water offers a cooling advantage on a hot summer's day, and it quenches our thirst. But there's just something about water that draws a kid in. Whether it's jumping in muddy puddles, dancing in the rain, or giggling as they stick their hands in soapy bubbles.

Numerous benefits come with playing with water. For starters, water is a fantastic way to offer your child sensory exploration. By playing with water, children can also develop their creativity and imagination. Water can be soothing, offering a relaxing and stress-free way to unwind. We can't forget about those fine and gross motor skills either!

Best Water Play Activities for Toddlers

If you live somewhere that doesn't get too cold in the fall, there's still plenty of time to play with water. Here are some of the best water play activities for little ones to enjoy.

Paint With Water

Painting with water is a fun and easy water activity to set up. It can be as simple as grabbing a bucket of water and some paintbrushes and letting your toddler loose with the sidewalk and side of the house as their canvas. You can also make it a little more complex by adding drops of food coloring (or paint, depending on how messy you want to get) to cups of water. Instead of using the sidewalk, you can hand your child some paper or even a canvas to paint.

An engaging twist to this activity is making ice cube paintbrushes. Fill ice cube trays with water and add either food coloring or paint to the water, then mix. Place popsicle sticks into each cube (they may be a bit wobbly) and then put the trays in the freezer. Once frozen, your toddler can use these ice cube paintbrushes to paint in a whole new way.

Ice Cube Sensory Tub

Another fun water activity that is quite simple is ice cube sensory tubs. Fill up a small plastic tub with ice and add any other sensory items that you know your toddler will love — cups, spoons, play animals, etc. Then, let them play in the sensory bin while the ice melts.

Water Sensory Bins or Table

A water sensory bin is just as fun as an ice cube tub. You can add the same type of items to the bin. Additionally, you can take it a step further and make “themes.” A few examples include making fish to catch out of pipe cleaners, adding fake flowers to “water,” or using pom-poms along with different types of kitchen utensils. There are numerous possibilities for this enjoyable water activity!

Create a “Car Wash” Station

Bust out the water buckets, soap, and sponges, and create a fun car wash station for your toddler. They can wash their favorite toys outside. It's a bonus if they happen to have their own big “cars” to ride on, scooters, bikes, or cozy coupes are perfect for this activity! Don't forget to bring out the hose after they give their toys and cars a nice, clean wash.

Water Balloons

Water balloons are a simple yet fun activity. Now they have reusable water balloons that are more cost-efficient and less messy. Of course, be sure to watch out for the hard magnet that keeps the balloons together. My kids have stated a time or two that this piece can hurt a bit if it's thrown hard.

Classic Sprinklers

Running through the sprinklers is always a classic water activity that never gets old. There are also many new sprinklers available at the store today. There's just something about throwing on your swimsuit and running through the sprinklers as a kid. If you don't have sprinklers, don't worry — break out the hose and do it the old-school way.

Play the Sink or Float Game

While you have a bin of water out, play a game of sink or float with your toddler. Gather several different items, such as rocks, plastic toys, flowers, grass, sticks, and anything else your toddler wants to try. Then guess whether the item will sink or float. This activity can last for a long time, depending on how many items you decide to include. You will love hearing your toddler giggle when they guess the correct answer!

Make “Stone Soup”

Stone soup is another fun water activity that your toddler will love. It's the same concept of a sensory bin, but this time you are making soup. Walk around the yard or go on a nature walk and collect items to add to your ‘stone soup.' You may be surprised at what you find! These items can range from grass to acorns to slices of fruit. Don't forget to mix the soup with a spatula to make sure it's just right.

Create a Pouring Station

A pouring station is similar to a sensory bin. However, the primary focus is on pouring. Fill up a tub of water with anything you can find that will give your toddler the ability to pour. These include cups, bowls, beakers, measuring cups, teaspoons, spatulas, and any other items you may find.

Save the Ocean Animals

Saving the ocean animals was one of my child's favorite activities a few summers ago. This activity can also be adapted to use whatever toys you have on hand. All you have to do is fill a bowl or plastic tub with water, place toy ocean animals in it, and stick it in the freezer. Once the animals are frozen, it's time for the fun part! Give your toddler “tools” to break the animals free! These tools can include spoons, water, and a pipette to melt the ocean. Another fun twist would be to use food coloring to dye the water so it appears blue like the ocean.

Water Safety Tips

While water is fun for kids, it's still essential to practice water safety tips. Whether there's very little water or not, it can still be potentially harmful. This means that whenever your child is around any water, especially a toddler, there should always be supervision. Never leave them unattended while playing with water. It is also a good idea to ensure the supervision is distraction-free.

Once you are done playing with buckets or kiddie pools of water, be sure to drain them and then store them upside down so that water doesn't collect in the bottoms.

Use what is called “touch supervision.” This means that if your child is a non-swimmer, be within arm's reach of them at all times whenever they are around water.

While these activities use minimal water, it's still important to practice water safety. Accidents can happen, and they can happen very fast.

One Last Note

We are in those in-between stages where the mornings are cooler, but by mid-afternoon, the sun is still blazing. You can make the most of those last fleeting warm afternoons by trying out these fun and easy ideas for water play for your toddlers. Whether you are painting with water or trying to save those ocean animals, you and your toddler are sure to have a blast combining warm sun and cool water games.

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