Summer Water Fun For Kids and Families

If you’re looking for Summer Water Fun For Kids and Families then check out these fun tips that will bring lots of summer fun!

 

Summer Water Fun For Kids and Families

During the summer, kids like to cool off and have a few diversions that keep them active and engaged. Water toys are a great way to cool off and engage minds both big and small. Heading to the community pool or to swimming lessons is a larger option than is always practical at a moment’s notice, but there are other low-cost options to keep everyone cool. Here are a few ideas to get everyone active and wet!

Water Gun Fights

This is classic summer fun! Set up teams to battle each other to see who can get wetter. This can be followed with some of our other recommended activities. If water guns are not available, no problem! Just use clean, empty spray bottles. Most spray bottles have both a direct spray and a misting selection, so this adds to the fun. Kids will enjoy tagging their friends and spending their time getting wet and cooling off.

If you have water guns, one fun use of them is to let kids make art using them. Set up poster board and fill each water gun with non-toxic washable paint. Then allow each child to create their masterpiece by squirting different paint colors and see what they can create. You may be surprised by what they make.

Playing with the Water Sprinkler

The games do double duty as you get your lawn watered while everyone is having fun chasing each other through the water sprinkler. To keep everyone engaged, you can try playing duck, duck, goose under the sprinkler or red light green light. This gives everyone time to giggle and enjoy playing in the water.

A Homemade Sprinkler System

Budding engineers will enjoy building a sprinkler system of their own. This experiment uses PVC pipes connected to the water source and allows them to understand how water flows and materials are connected together. A pipe is connected with elbows to create a freestanding structure. Then they need to mark where the holes need to go so that the water will flow freely. In the end, they will have their own sprinkler system. Caution, because this activity requires tools, adult supervision is required.

Try a Water Bomb or Piñata Fight

The Piñata fight is a simple one that involves water balloons, string, and a stick. As the water balloons are strung up, each child gets a chance to soak their friends with water! On a hot afternoon, this can be a lot of fun.

Water bombs with sponges are cleaner than traditional water balloons and are often a less expensive option. This activity only requires a few clean sponges tied up with twine. Cut up sponges into strips then tie them together with twine. Then they are ready to be dunked into the water and the fun begins. Kids can toss them back and forth splashing each other, or it can become a full-on water bomb fight.

Water Cup Races are Great Fun!

Challenge kiddos with a water cup race in which they test their balance, endurance, and running speed with a filled cup of water. The one with the most water at the end wins! This is similar to an egg race with an egg balanced in a spoon. Perfect for birthday parties when kids (and parents) don’t mind getting a little wet.

Water Painting

This is an activity that is particularly fun for younger children. You need to set up a chalkboard and cover it with different colors of chalk. Then allow the child to “paint” on this with their wet paintbrush. If they are unhappy with the design, it’s easy to wipe it off with water and start over again. Kids will be excited to explore what they can create. Another similar activity is allowing them to play with wet sidewalk chalk. This activity opens up the imagination and helps them build good motor skills.

Create a Xylophone with Glasses filled with Colored Waters

This is a backyard experiment where kids can explore with musical tones. It’s simple, too! Each glass is filled with colored water at differing levels. They can begin to explore the tones of each jar and the combinations they can create by tapping the jar with a plastic or wooden spoon. Tones can be changed by reducing or adding to the amount of water in each jar. It’s an easy way to explore the world of music basics right in the backyard.

Create a Frozen Sand Sensory Bin

This is an engaging activity that doesn’t take a lot of time or resources. Take some sand from the sandbox. Put it in a bill and thoroughly wet it then freeze it. While you are doing the setup, hide small animals or sea creatures in the sand for your little discoverers to find. When it is frozen, generally overnight, tip it onto a baking pan and head outside. Usually, the sun and little fingers will break up the sand but if any help is needed, just use a little water.

LEGOs and Building Sensory Skills

An easy sensory experience for younger kids is to fill a bowl with water and fill it with colorful LEGOs. Swirl it around with a whisk to make a little noise then let kiddos scoop the blocks out with a big spoon and find their favorite ones. It’s an easy water activity that can keep kids engaged for at least half an hour during the hot months of the season.

Create a Water Walking Experiment

This is another easy one that teaches kids about the movement of water and how colors blend to create new colors. Set up seven cups of water colored with a different food coloring then link each cup with a strip of paper towel. Then watch as the water climbs from one cup to the next creating new colors. This is the perfect time to talk about color theory or how colors combine to create new ones.