The Best Outdoor Water Activities For Kids
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With the weather warming up and schools ending, it’s time to start thinking about summer activities. There is something simply magical about the combination of water activities and young kids. As I reflect on some of my four kids’ very favorite summer activities, they almost always involve water.
This article provides the best water activities to do with your young kids this summer right at home. If you’re a mom looking for fun water activities to do with your kids this summer, this article will help you give them a summer to remember. It is full of ideas with some pro mom tips that will help you along the way.
Water Activities For Kids
Personally, I always prioritize activities that are screen-free, are engaging for my children, and promote either learning through play or physical activity, or both. I also like to make sure my activities don’t require too much set up time, because there is nothing worse than spending a lot of time to create or set up an activity only for your kids to get bored within a few minutes. This list is focused on water activities that can be done at home, rather than having to go out somewhere.
Keep reading for some ideas for water activities for your kids!
Water Activities For Kids
PLay in a kiddie pool
All four of my kids, ages 16 months through 7 years old, in our kiddie pool.
The beauty of setting up a kiddie pool for your kids is that it’s low cost, easy setup, can be done right in your own yard, and it doesn’t require any special toys or equipment other than a pool and a hose to fill it up. My kids have spent literally HOURS at a time in our kiddie pool, and it’s always a hit. I’ve had my little ones sit in our kiddie pool even under age one (starting from when they can sit up consistently without falling over), and my nearly 8-year-old still loves playing in it.
You can purchase a hard shell one like what I have pictured at Walmart or even many grocery stores for under $10. There are also many other options for online shoppers such as with inflatable sides, like this one.
Here are some of my best tips for using a kiddie pool with your kids:
Adding toys, bowls, cups, etc to the pool can add extra fun, learning, and play. You don’t need any special toys; I often use cups, bowls, and ladles from my kitchen. I’ve also thrown our favorite bath toys into the kiddie pool. You can get creative with “pool toys”!
I use swim diapers when my babies or toddlers are in the kiddie pool since they are typically all the way in it. For some other water activities, you can get by with a normal diaper, but I highly recommend using a swim diaper in this case
Be prepared to stay close by to any babies or toddlers in the kiddie pool. Babies who can sit reliably still need close supervision, and young toddlers may have issue stepping in and out of the pool on they own without your assistance. I like to put a lawn chair for myself right next to the pool and get some relaxation in while I supervise.
2. Set Up A Sprinkler
My two oldest daughters using their favorite sprinkler in our yard
Setting up a sprinkler is always a crowd pleaser! This water activity hits all my priorities of being engaging, promoting physical activity and creative play, and fun and safe for kids of multiple ages.
The options for which type of sprinkler you can use are literally endless, which can add to the excitement.
This one is similar to what you see in the photo above. It’s their favorite sprinkler they’ve ever used, but it isn’t the easiest to set up—especially compared to some other options which literally get attached to the hose and turned on. Here are some additional sprinkler options that your kids will love.
Option 1 - Toddler Sprinkler With Wiggle Tubes
Option 2 - Inflatable Rainbow Cloud Sprinkler
Option 3 - Rotating Spray Nozzles Sprinkler
3. SliP-N-Slide
Nothing says summer water fun like a slip-n-slide!
Slip-n-slides can be fun for children of many ages. They can be used in a flat yard, but if you have a small slope in your yard (or even a steeper hill for older kids), that can make it even more exciting! Here is one that we love with built in sprinklers and another that is slightly higher in price due to it being larger and more geared towards older kids.
Fair warning—this is one activity that can take a toll on your grass if you use it for a long period in the same place. This can be avoided by adjusting its location to spread out the grass damage.
For this activity, I would recommend your kids wear swim suits that have longer sleeves, if you have one. A rash guard or wetsuit can work great for this activity to prevent any scrapes from vigorous sliding.
4. Use A Water Table
All four of my kids, ages 16 months through 7 years, enjoying our water table
Water table is another summer water activity classic that my kids simply adore. It’s amazing how much use they’ve gotten out of our water table and how many hours of play this has seen.
Like with the kiddie pool, it’s best to have some cups, bowls, and large kitchen spoons or ladles available for use with the water table to maximize the fun and play. These don’t have to be specialized toys or anything; I just use whatever I have available.
Unlike with the kiddie pool, I don’t typically put my young toddlers in a swim diaper for this activity. Typically, although they do get wet, it doesn’t result in complete diaper saturation.
5. Water Balloons
Water balloons are a classic summer water activity for kids—for good reason.
Rounding out our list of at-home water activities that are fun and engaging for kids of all ages includes water balloons.
Water balloons are ALWAYS a hit, however, there are two minor downsides compared to some of the other activities on our list—they do require adult assistance to set up (unless your kids are older and can manage to fill and tie balloons on their own), and they can result in a mess in your yard once the balloons are thrown and popped. Picking up balloon debris can be a team effort after the fun.
That being said, water balloons provide a nearly endless amount of creative and active play opportunity for your little ones, and so they deserve a place on our list.
I like to buy a large water balloon set with plenty of balloons that will last us all summer. This set is rapid-sealing and quick-filling. If you want to avoid the post-water-balloon cleanup mess and want a more environmentally friendly option, you may like these reusable water balloons with a magnetic seal that have nearly a perfect 5 star average review on Amazon.
Now that you’ve read our list of the top 5 best water activities for kids, you’re ready to have a memorable summer with your little one. We hope this list inspires plenty of fun for you and your family.
In case you’re looking for more ideas, you may enjoy this list of 10 summer activities for toddlers and young kids—some of which do not include water, and all of which prioritize engaging, safe, fun, low cost, easy setup, and screen-free activities.
Here are Mom’s First Steps, we wish you an incredible summer filled with fun for you and your loved ones!
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