Ready to cool off in the heat? Grab your printable, Water Game Ideas For Summer Play for your next party or backyard play time!
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When that summer heat starts coming, the kids and I are always seeking out ways to cool off.
My middle child, William, especially is sensitive to the heat and always asks to get into some kind of water. That could be the beach, the neighborhood pool, our backyard splash pad, or just water balloons, he is on the hunt for any cool down strategies he can find.
I am all for water play and have been known to freeze their little toys in ice cubes, mix up coloring pouring stations, and let them have free range of the hose. However, sometimes adding a little more structure to the water play adds a new element to their fun.
When my oldest had her 6th birthday party, we included water games and I spend a good amount of time hunting for some water games we could play as a group. These Water Game Ideas For Summer Play work perfectly for backyard play time or for a party.
More Outdoor Summer Fun:
Why You Should Play Water Games
Having the kids get free play time in water, with a few water safety points in mind, is so important to their learning. These open sessions let them learn all kinds of science skills as they experiement with different mixing, pouring, and splashing.
When you want to give them a structured game, these Water Game Ideas For Summer Play add a few new learning elements like:
- Cold and hot
- What happens to ice
- How sponges work
- Water containment
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Discovery
Water games and water play seriously add so much learning and discovery to what seems like a simple cool off activity! It is so much fun watching the kids play and learn in this way.
How To Prep Your Water Game Ideas For Summer Play
At the base, print out your page of water games. There are 8 games on one page. You can choose to cut them out and laminate them so you can use them outside and not stress about splashing.
Next, gather a few materials. The activity involving ice will require a bit of prep ahead if you have to make ice cubes. If you already have them on hand, you are ready to go!
Other materials you will need that you probably already have around. thehouse:
- Spray Bottle – I highly recommend one per child and in various colors. toavoid the fighting.
- Plastic Cups
- Drill
- Strainer – These mini ones would be perfect for little hands and heads!
- Sponges
- Dish Soap
- Ice Cube Maker – I have had a variation of these for years and adore them for all types of freeze-in-cubes ideas. The lids help so much!
- Small Pool or Plastic Tub
- Measuring Cups – My youngest got these years ago as a Christmas present and she still adores them to this day for all types of activities, including water play.
Included In This Printable
The free printable of Water Game Ideas For Summer Play includes:
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- 2 page PDF sent to your email
- 1 page with directions
- 1 page with your printable water game ideas
However you want to spend your time cooling off in the heat, these Water Game Ideas For Summer Play are an excellent tool to have in your back pocket and at the ready. You can even get invovled in them with your kids and make it an interactive family activity! Your kids will be tickled that you joined in and have this memory for a long time. Sounds like a perfect summer afternoon to me.
More Summer Game Ideas To Love:
Printables from moveplaygo.com are for personal and classroom use only.