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Need some fun activities for the kids to cool down with on the next hot and steamy day? Check out this great list of budget-friendly water play ideas for kids!
It’s hot.
Sultry, humid, oppressive heat wave hot.
I foresee much pool time this summer! I don’t know about your kids, but mine love water play in just about any form. They love jumping in water, splashing in water, sliding in water, throwing water… you get the idea!
Check out these fun water play ideas for ideas (almost all of which are super easy to set up)!
Fun Water Play Ideas for Kids
DIY Water Station – Use a big bucket or baby pool and toss in some water shooters and NERF Super Soakers. The kids can have a fun water fight and will have plenty of water on hand for refills.
Water Balloon Toss – Water balloons are so much fun on a hot day! Throw them back and forth and get a splash when they break! Our favorite balloons are the Bunch O Balloons Rapid Fill water balloons. They are SO darn easy to fill and it’s true – they seal themselves! It’s all the fun of water balloons without the tedious work of filling and tying them!
Water Table – We always have a water table on hand for easy water play. We picked up this water table a few consignment sales ago. It was a total STEAL at just $20 and is wonderful to have on hand for the toddler crowd. On extra hot days, we’ll add some ice to the water! Landon loves to play with his various sea creatures and other bath toys.
Kiddie Pool – Sounds like a no brainer, but if you’re not up for a day at the big pool, it’s a great idea to keep a small inflatable pool on hand! Great for splashing and quick cool downs!
We love the H2OGO! Color Wave Inflatable Play Pool. They also have a non-lighted version.
Love this Rain Gutter River set up from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls!
Make your own Mini Water Blobs like this tutorial post from hello, wonderful.
Make some colorful Sponge Water Bombs for a fun WET game of toss! Here is a great tutorial from Inner Child Fun.
Quick, easy and cheap – make a DIY spinkler with a pool noodle like Ziggity Zoom did.
Get a soaking from water balloon pinatas like the ones that Little Bit Funky made.
Don’t underestimate how much fun your kids will have with a pouring station like this example from Busy Toddler.
Some items not to forget when heading out into the heat for some water play:
Water bottles full of drinking water
Hats and other clothing cover-ups
More ideas for summer fun…
How to Make a Family Adventure Bucket List
10 Ideas for Easy Backyard BBQ Fun for Kids
18 Useful Pool Noodle DIY Ideas
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