Toddler water activities

Water play does not need a paddling pool. A bowl on a tray, a couple of cups and a towel underneath is enough for twenty minutes of pouring, splashing and fishing things out. The activities on this page all use water and are written for indoors on an ordinary day. They build hand control, teach the basics of full and empty, floating and sinking, and are wonderfully calming for a child who is wound up. Keep it shallow, stay close, and use warm water in winter. Full steps and switch-ups for each below.

10 activities

Flour Hand Prints illustration Flour Hand Prints from 12 months · 5-10 min Wet Sponge Squeeze illustration Wet Sponge Squeeze from 12 months · 10 min Cornstarch Goop Tray illustration Cornstarch Goop Tray from 14 months · 10-15 min Sponge Squeeze Bucket Transfer illustration Sponge Squeeze Bucket Transfer from 14 months · 10-15 min Frozen Toy Dig illustration Frozen Toy Dig from 16 months · 10-20 min Pom-Pom Water Scoop illustration Pom-Pom Water Scoop from 16 months · 10-15 min Water Bottle Fill Help illustration Water Bottle Fill Help from 16 months · 5-10 min Bubble Bath Whisk illustration Bubble Bath Whisk from 18 months · 5-10 min Sponge Squeeze Splash illustration Sponge Squeeze Splash from 24 months · 10-15 min Muddy Garden Pat-A-Cake illustration Muddy Garden Pat-A-Cake from 28 months · 10-15 min

Other things from the house

Toddler activities with a bowl · Toddler activities with a spoon · Toddler activities with a basket · Toddler activities with cups · Toddler activities with a tray · Toddler activities with paper · Toddler activities with a cardboard box · Toddler activities with a blanket · Toddler activities with a towel · Toddler activities with socks · Toddler activities with masking tape · Toddler activities with jar lids · All activities