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Looking for the best water activities for kids? This list of 20+ water and ice ideas for outdoor play is what you need: a curated set of tried-and-true activities. On this list, you’ll find a variety of sensory, science, art, and game-based water activities to hold kid attention on outdoor days.
What are the best water activities for kids?
Water activities are fantastic for outdoor play. They’re largely accessible, typically low in cost, and kids gravitate to them.
My mom raised me with a few nuggets of child-rearing wisdom, and one was, “When in doubt, just add water.”
That’s saved many a long morning or skipped nap time days in my life because whenever I’m at a loss for what to do with the kids, how to hold their attention, or ways to reset a bad mood day, I reach for a water activity.
RELATED: Looking for other outdoor activities for kids? Try this list of 50+ ideas that kids will love.
Using water and ice activities outside
Along with water activities, ice activities come into play too. For the purpose of this post, we will lump water and ice activities into one giant category.
Ice play, especially as a summer activity, is the perfect way to bring life to backyard fun and hook attention.
Yes, many of the ice activities on this list do need a little bit of prep (time for the water to freeze), but it’s well worth it for the epic play pay off.
RELATED: Need some more ideas for kids at home? Try my free Summer Camp at Home program – it’s six weeks of fun.
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What ages are these water activities for?
One of the best things about water activities for kids: they’re “taste safe” and (largely) can be done with a wide variety of kids.
These activities typically can be done in a multi-age setting where we can focus more on child interest than on a child’s numerical age. This “stages not ages” when considering an activity for a child as needs and likes vary.
Metallic Water Table
There is NOTHING cooler than dyeing water with metallic paint. It swirls, it moves, it’s inviting like you won’t believe.
Water Balloon Pinata
What a fantastic twist on water balloons! Can you just imagine how much fun this would be at an outdoor party?
Ice Smash
Grab some eye protection and some mini hammer – then let kids smash the ice. There’s so much left over ice from summer parties and camping. Save it and try this!
Frog Pond Small World
A great and easy way to practice some imaginative play while also not risking it getting too out of control and messy. This is such a sweet, simple activity.
Stick Raft Building
Put that collection of sticks your kids have been saving to use and help them to create these amazing rafts! You’ll love seeing what they come up with.
Pom Pom Water Table
Gosh I love pom poms and water. And so do kids. They have such a great feeling as they float and absorb the water. The best part is, they can be dried and saved at the end (read the post to see how).
Paper Boats
These boats really float! It’s such a great idea, easy to do and fun to play with in a kiddie pool or if you are feeling really adventurous, take them to a little creek in your area and watch them go.
Flower Sensory Bin
Creating sensory bins with flowers is one of my favorite summer activities. Water, flowers, and a bin to play in is all you need.
LEGO Pool
Put LEGO bricks in the kiddie pool! Trust me – it’ll bring life back to your pool and to a beloved toy
Lemon Boats
Don’t toss your lemons! Save old, half used, all used lemons for a one of a kind sensory bin. It’s unexpected – and kids love that.
Sponge Water Bombs
Oh, this is perfect for all ages this summer! Grab some dollar store sponges and you are good to go.
Monster Ice
This takes a second to prep ahead of time and it’s worth it: make some monster ice on a day when everything is going well for your family. The next time things aren’t going as well, that’s when you’ll bust out monster ice and save the day.
Frozen Flower Cubes
We love using old flowers in a sensory bin, so freezing them just makes sense. This is a terrific science and sensory moment for kids to have.
Clean the Cars
Giving kids a goal is a great way to hook them into an activity. Letting them “clean the cars” in this mud filled sensory bin is a win.
Painting with Water
A great way for little ones to “paint” but actually avoid the mess that can sometimes come when little hands and paint come together.
Frozen Under the Sea Sensory Play
Water play is always a fun sensory experience so by adding in a frozen component you are just upping the excitement. This frozen sensory bin is a perfect summer activity.
Sponge Targets
Want a seriously fun backyard activity for kids and adults? Try this game using dollar store sponges and a make-shift target.
Pouring Station
This will forever be my go-to outdoor activity for kids: just let them pour water. Want it to be fancy? Dye the water. It’s the best.
Water Blaster Games
Trying to find ideas for water blasters? This post has activities tailored made for blasters – kids will love these.
Insect Ice Excavation
Freezing toys in ice is a recipe to remember this summer. Kids love excavating and rescuing their toys.
Colored Ice Bin
There is always a tray of colored ice in my freezer in the summer. Why? Because the second the day takes a turn or someone is having a rough time, I can bring out colored ice and lift the mood.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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