How to Make Water Play Manageable: Best Tips

December 22, 2023

Water play doesn’t have to be chaotic stress for adults. Drawing from my experience as a classroom teacher, I’m sharing the most effective strategies to turn water play into an enjoyable experience for children and adults.

Explore this guide and discover stress-free play, allowing children to experience all the benefits of water play.

Best Tips to Manage Water Play

Model Appropriate Play – Demonstrate good behavior during water play as an example for children.
Clean Up Together – Teach kids that it’s everyone’s responsibility to clean up spills and keep the space safe.
Play Often – Regularly offer water play so children can practice mindful play. Sensory play will be more chaotic if only available infrequently.
Keep It Interesting – Add new materials to keep play engaging and keep kids investigating.
Start Small – Begin with small amounts of water, gradually increasing it once children play within safety guidelines.

Choose Play Space

Take water table outside.
Place water bin in the bathtub or shower for easier cleanup.
Turn a bathtub or kiddie pool into immersive water play; no bin needed.
Do water play at the sink. Offer a stool to stand on.

Tips to Prepare

Have materials ready before adding water to the water table. This way, you won’t have to leave the activity and children without supervision once water play starts.
Keep towels available for cleaning up spills and drying children’s hands or faces.
Provide smocks or old shirts for children to wear.

Safety Tips

Always supervise children during water activities.
Place towels or rugs down to prevent slipping.
Wash toys and the water table between uses.
If adding bubbles, use small amounts of child-safe soap to avoid irritation.

Water Table, Toys, and More

First, you’ll want to choose a water table or sensory bin. The best low-cost option is a plastic storage bin.

Choose plastic bins with shorter sides, making it easier for kids to reach into. Flat storage bins that can slide under beds are great. Using a larger size creates more room so multiple children can play at once.

Recommended Materials

Stacking cups
Measuring cups and spoons
Pitchers
Watering cans
Funnels
Water wheels
Scoops
Sponges
Bath toys
Strainers or sieves
Spray bottles
Squeeze bottles
Pop tubes
Food dye or liquid water color
Baby safe body wash
Loose parts such as:
- Paintbrushes
- Straws
- Loofahs
- Corks
- Reusable ice cubes

Children participate in water play outdoors.

3 Easy Water Play Activities

#1 Sink or Float Experiment

Introduce children to a simple experiment exploring buoyancy. This activity promotes critical thinking and playfully introduces early science concepts.

Materials

Variety of objects (e.g., bath toys, stones, cups)

Tip: Encourage discussions with open-ended questions like “Why do you think that floats?” This enhances critical thinking and communication skills.

#2 Pretend Play

Transform water play with imaginative play to foster creativity and cooperation. This activity encourages storytelling and collaboration among participants.

Materials

Action figures, animal toys, or people figures
Cars or boats
Bowls and lids

Tip: Invite children to play different roles, such as emergency rescuers or ocean explorers.

#3 Nature Water Table

Add nature elements to water for a sensory-rich experience. This activity inspires curiosity and instills an appreciation for nature. Learn more about nature play.