IT’S TIME FOR WATER PLAY!
Charity Quinn, Contributor
50 Favorite Materials for Water Sensory Play!
Water is magical for little ones. It’s our go-to sensory activity in the summer at Lend & Learn because it’s simple, cheap, easy to clean up, and so enriching for your child’s development! We are sharing our 50 favorite materials to set up water sensory play for young children!
Set up your water sensory play with materials you have at home. Some families may choose to purchase a water table, but you can use an oversized shallow container such as metal baking tray or muffin tin, a plastic tupperware bin, baby pool, or even the bathtub! Fill your bin with an inch or two of water and add one or a combination of interesting materials for your child to manipulate. To protect your floors, put towels down around the bin. Or even better, set up the sensory bin outside!
Always be safe when you play! It’s important to supervise your young child when playing with water. Below the list, we share a link to water safety tips for children from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Interact with your child and help them experiment and engage with the materials. Encourage your child to explore and make new discoveries as they play!
Materials you can add to your water sensory bin:
- Measuring cups
- Whisks
- Spatulas
- Spoons
- Bowls
- Spray bottles
- Empty ketchup bottles
- Empty yogurt cups
- Empty spice containers
- Empty soap dispenser
- Plastic tubes
- Flower petals
- Leaves
- Sticks
- Pine cones
- Rocks
- Citrus slices
- Cucumber slices
- Berries
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Basil
- Dish soap for bubbles!
- Pom poms
- Ice cubes
- Water beads
- Sand/ dirt (mud play!)
- Cut-up pool noodles
- Toy cars
- Foam blocks
- Duplos
- Color: Add a few drops of food coloring or washable paint + a dab of dish soap
- Paint brushes
- Sponges & scrub brushes
- Unused toothbrush
- Plastic balls
- Rubber ducks
- Squirt toys
- Dance scarves
- Plastic toy food
- Teething rings
- Fishing nets
- Plastic tea set
- Magnifying glass
- Child-safe mirror
- Pipe cleaners
- Foam shapes
- Plastic magnetic letters
- Plastic animals
Read more about the benefits of water play: https://www.kidsclubchildcare.com.au/5-benefits-of-water-play-in-early-childhood-development/
Water safety tips for children from the American Academy of Pediatrics: