There’s just something magical about water play. Littles are instantly drawn to the splashes, swirls, and sounds—and moms love how easy it is to set up! Whether it’s a sunny backyard day or a cozy indoor afternoon, water activities bring out curiosity and giggles every time.
We’ve been rotating different water sensory setups lately, and it’s been such a hit. It’s simple, soothing, and full of learning moments tucked inside playful fun. And the best part? It doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective.
If your toddler or preschooler loves pouring, scooping, and exploring, this list of water-based activities is for you! Let the splashing begin!
Why are water activities great for toddlers and preschoolers?
Water play supports early development in so many ways! It encourages fine motor skills through pouring, squeezing, and transferring. It also introduces basic science and math concepts. These concepts can include volume, cause and effect, and temperature without littles even realizing they’re learning. Plus, water is naturally calming, which makes it a great sensory tool for regulation and focus during play.
What skills do littles build during water sensory play?
Water sensory play helps littles build fine motor skills like squeezing, scooping, and pouring. It also supports hand-eye coordination and strengthens their ability to focus. When they problem-solve during play—like figuring out which cup holds more water or how to balance floating objects—they’re using early math and science thinking in such a playful, natural way.
How can I keep water activities mess-free indoors?
Water play doesn’t have to mean wet floors! Try placing a towel or shower curtain liner under the sensory bin to catch spills. Use shallow bins and only a small amount of water—just enough for play. Keep a dry towel nearby, and dress your little one in clothes that can get damp. With a little prep, water play can be fun and low-stress indoors!
Reusable Water Balloons
Fun, environmentally friendly and fantastic for motor and sensory skills. These can be used in a bucket, pool, in the bathtub or outside with friends and family. You will be sure to get a ton of use out of these.
Grab an 8 or 16 count here!
Frog Sensory
Frogs, flowers and other fun toys in a water sensory bin will make for a great water activity. Plastic bugs will make another fun touch!
Ice Cube Rescue
Freeze small toys in ice cubes (small or large like shown in the photo above) and let your littles melt or chip them free. Add warm water, droppers, play tools or salt for extra fun!
Related Post: 22 Fun & Unique Summer Activities for Kids
Car Wash Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with soapy water, sponges, and toy cars. Let your little one scrub, rinse, and repeat. Looking for some extra sensory fun? Add a “dirty” side for the cars to go through first then have them start the squeaky clean fun!
Letter Fishing
Use foam or magnetic letters in water with a net, fishing pole or spoons. Scoop/fish and name the letters for a splashy learning boost!
Water Painting
Give your littles a paintbrush and a bucket of water to “paint” the sidewalk, fence, or cardboard. No cleanup required, just imagination!
Bubble Foam Bin
Whip up bubbly foam with dish soap and a hand mixer. Add a few cups, spoons, and toys and maybe even some food coloring for sensory magic!
Sink or Float Experiment
Fill a bin with water and various small items. Ask your littles to guess what sinks and what floats then test it out together! Sponges, pencils, buttons, small figurines, and whatever else they think sounds fun.
Nature Soup
Add leaves, flower petals, and herbs to a water bin for pretend “soup.” Let them stir, scoop, and serve like little chefs.
Water Fall
Create a DIY water wall with funnels, cups, and bottles on a fence or shower wall. Littles will love pouring and watching the water move through.
Water Table
Grab a fun water table for the kids to enjoy outdoors. This will be the hit the summer for everyone around!
Sand and Water Ocean Sensory Bin
Bring the beach home with water, sand, and seashells in a bin. Add scoops, small beach toys, shells or ocean animals for extra pretend play.
Glow Stick Water Bin
Crack a few glow sticks and add them to a water bin in a dark room. It turns ordinary play into glowing, sensory fun!
Grab some twisty water droppers here!
Sponge Transfer
Place two bowls, one full of water and one empty, and let your littles transfer water using a sponge. It’s great for fine motor skills and will keep them busy.
Clouds in a Jar
Making a rain cloud in a jar is a simplistic way for kids to learn how it actually rains. It will give them a hands-on visual that is sensory filled and valuable learning time mixed into their fun water time.
Bubble Foam Cupcakes
Using warm water, bubbles and food coloring, your littles can have some foamy water fun! Grab some silicone cupcake liners here to have reusable fun!
Magic Water Gel Kit
These magic water gel kits are just that- magic! Your littles will create little creatures in their water bin and enjoy watching them float around. Grab yours here!
Duck Pond Play
Add rubber duckies, blue-dyed water, and maybe some lily pads (real or paper!) along with rocks and sticks. Your little one will love scooping, splashing, and making their ducks “swim.”
Water Pipette Transfer
Using water droppers that you have in your kitchen right now or some that are kid friendly, such as these jumbo eyedroppers or these twisty droppers and cups/bowls, your little can work on their fine motor skills by transferring the water from one to another.
Animal Wash Station
Set up a “spa” for animals or warm water, soap, and washcloths or brushes. Littles love the caretaking of their animals. You can have a separate station to get them “muddy” and then have your kids clean them up.
Water activities are one of those things that never get old for littles. They’re calming, fun, and full of learning even if it just looks like splashing around! You don’t need anything fancy, just a few simple supplies and a little imagination.
Next time you’re looking for an easy, low-prep activity, try pulling out a bin and adding water. You’ll be surprised how long they stay engaged and how peaceful the play can feel.
Which one will you try first?
