Heatwave Play Ideas…how to change up the usual water play!
So there’s a heatwave in the UK at the moment (as if you didn’t already know, and it isn’t all anyone can talk about!)
Of course, this tends to mean lots water play to helps keep little ones cool. But what happens after you have played in the paddling pool or poured a few cups of water in a tray, how can you keep the water play interesting?!
Here is my round-up of how to keep water play engaging and little ones cool in the heatwave!
Ice Ice Baby….but make it interesting!
Introducing ice cubes into water play makes complete sense when it is nearly 40 degrees! My suggestion to make this type of play a little more interesting (and as a result an opportunity for communication!) is to change up the ice cubes themselves…
Using different shaped ice like this selection here, I also like that this set comes with a pipet which could easily be a part of your water table set up for your little one.
Use food colouring to dye your ice cubes different colours!
Freeze garden cuttings into the ice cubes (grass, petals, daisies, leaves…)
The ice cube prep can be done with or without your little one depending on time and their level of interest!
How does this boosts communication?
Children learn best when they’re having fun. If your little one is into the ice play, spend 5-10 minutes with them mirroring what they are doing and commenting on (labelling) what they are doing e.g. “squeeze the red ice cube!”, “pour the pineapples!”
Don’t eat yellow snow…what about yellow water?!
Another way to make water play more fun is to introduce coloured water!
You may be thinking, that’s all well and good but my child puts EVERYTHING in their mouth, so this is a recipe for disaster. I have found these food-grade bath colour drops, which means you don't have to worry about them getting sick from swallowing the water.
If you had a few Tupperware boxes/ jugs you could make each one a different colour for your little one to explore!
Water challenge at home!
This one is for you if you have a garden/ outdoor space you can escape to!
You will need…
A sprinkler - I like this dinosaur one!
2 buckets/ containers
Small toys/ counters/ duple bricks (anything plastic you have at home)
2 shade areas (created with tents, trees, umbrella, hanging a sheet across)
Create 2 shaded areas in the garden, place a bucket/ container in each. Set up the sprinkler in the middle. The challenge is for your little one to move all the toys/counters/ duplo bricks from one shade spot to the other…through the sprinkler!
Have fun, and let me know how you get on! Click on the images below for links.
Note: some of the links are affiliate links, which means if you click through and choose to buy the item via my link I earn a small commission on your purchase.
