​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Materials: Funnels, strainers, squirt bottles, cups, spoons, old pump soap bottles, and food coloring.​

STEP 1

Ask your child if they would like to take a trip to the beach, lake, or other body of water nearby.

STEP 2

Talk about things you might take with you. For instance, you might take the shovel, sifter, sand wheel, fishing pole, bait, tackle box, or life vest.

STEP 3

Discuss things you might see, like: people swimming, tubing, fishing, boating, building sandcastles, starfish, seashells, seaweed.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Sit with your child and explore the items immediately around you. What can your child reach? Ask them how it feels in their hands and help them use descriptive words like wet, rough, smooth, bumpy, warm, and sticky.

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

  • Use different materials like sand, dirt, packing peanuts, or pebbles instead of water.
  • Show your child a bottle of food coloring. Ask them what they think will happen if you add the liquid to the water.
  • Move water from one place to another with a pump or bucket.

WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Water play goes well beyond splashing your child; learning math, science, language, and creative thinking skills can all occur while playing with water.

WHY?

Your child learns best when playing. This activity is designed to help your child become creative and learn how to solve problems.​​

adult and children by waterfall