22 fun water play ideas for babies and toddlers

Here’s a fantastic collection of fun water play ideas for babies and toddlers – mess free and super fun sensory play!

22 fun water play ideas for babies and toddlers

I’d vote water play into my (imaginary) Childhood Hall of Fame as the best sensory play activity there is for babies and toddlers. It’s perfect for young children because…

It’s super sensory play – lots to see and feel, and all that splashing makes a great sound

It’s free, and readily available – which means it’s great for rainy days, grouchy days, or feeling a bit bored days

It’s easy to set up – whether you’re using a bucket, the kitchen sink, or the bath tub

It’s easy to clean up too – if you’re playing outside it’s self-cleaning, and indoors you can just pull the plug

And it’s so versatile – with so many different ways to play with water, you can easily offer your children lots of interesting variety.

Have a look at the ideas in this slideshow and you’ll find lots of fun water play ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

 

Water play ideas for sensory play

:: Try this simple set up for baby’s first water play adventure

::  or some balls

:: Add in some homemade toy boats

:: or pipettes and basters for fine motor squirting

:: See what sinks and what floats

:: Soothe your baby with a lavender sensory tub

:: Set up a pouring station

:: Or some pom pom squeezing play

:: Make some water tubes

:: or a water bottle play wall

:: Go fishing

:: Enjoy a scented lemon water tub

:: Explore how funnels work

:: Try some water painting

:: Play follow the leader water footprints

:: Enjoy a flower sensory tub

:: Make a baby-sized water blob

:: Try some colour sorting

:: Go bobbing for apples

:: Give your animals a wash

:: or explore the wonder of water beads