Summer is finally upon us, and the days are long, and it’s so hard to keep everyone entertained all day long. So, here are five tried-and-tested water-based fun activities that I guarantee will keep your little ones (and others) busy and cool at home on these hot summer days!
1. Target Practice
This one is great because it can be played with a bunch of kids all together! I drew a target in our driveway and put shapes in each ring. This is something you could use to practice anything, from colors and numbers to letters! You could also put point values in each ring for older kids too, but for now, and the age group tested on, we used shapes!
I took cheap sponges and gave each child four. They had a blast trying to get their sponge into the middle (aka star) ring! My son loved being able to throw things around without getting yelled at! After all had taken their turn, this quickly turned into a water fight with sponges!
2. Ice Cube Exploration
My son has TONS of trucks and cars! This made it easier to take a few while he was busy doing something else to put into our giant ice cube. During nap time, I took a large container, lined it with a plastic shopping bag, and filled it with water (make sure the bag is larger than the container so it’s easier to pull out)! I took the trucks and construction vehicles I collected, put them in the water, closed it up, and put it in the freezer overnight. Thankfully, the next day was hot, so once I pulled out the giant ice cube, it began melting immediately! My son had a great time using his tools to try and break apart the ice and get his toys out!
3. Truck & Car Wash
We have many big trucks scattered around our backyard at all times. They haul sand, rocks, dirt, and anything else found in the backyard, so it was time to give them a good scrubbing. I took a large bucket of water and added a little dish soap for washing. I took another bucket of plain water for rinsing. My son pulled out the car wash sponge we have in the garage and went to town on those trucks. He spent at least an hour scrubbing each vehicle top to bottom, then moved on to his playhouse! This was definitely my man’s favorite water activity so far this summer, and it was so easy to set up!
4. Water Balls
I discovered these super absorbent sponge-like balls! I played with them when I was younger and loved soaking friends. We had friends over one afternoon, and they each had a bucket of water to use and soaked each other completely. I tried to organize a game of catch (similar to water balloon toss), but neither of them was interested. They were much happier throwing them at each other and holding them over their heads to get wet!
5. A Big Ol’ Bucket of Water
This proved to be another favorite water activity of the week. My son had a great time transporting water using different buckets, cars, trucks, shovels, and basically anything else he could find in the backyard! I pulled out my teacher-mom hat, and we talked about objects that sink or float as well. This quickly turned into what made the bigger splash, but again, I loved every minute of it!
My son and I had a great time getting wet and staying cool at home! Baby girl, on the other hand, took the opportunity to get some shade and a nap. There are so many things you can do with water and lots of learning that can be incorporated into them as well! These activities are easy and cheap, and they can keep little ones entertained for hours!
 busy and cool at home on these hot summer days!){kind=link}