what can we do with water (at home)

• add cups, scoops, funnels, jugs, a watering can and a water wheel and pour it.
• run under the sprinkler
• water the plants
• get a big piece of plastic or a ready-made water slide and go sliding. This works well on a hill but if you don’t have one it is still fun to slide around like worms and older kids can run and slide. Sometimes it helps to add some conditioner to make the plastic more slippery
• wash the dishes
• have a toy wash. You could create a toy car wash with soap, brushes and a sprayer or give all the dolls a bath.
• have a water fight with water balloons or water pistols. Or set up a target to shoot or throw at – a pyramid of tin cans or empty plastic bottles make a good knock-em-down target.
• make ice cubes and give your child tongs to try and pick them up.
• paint your fence or outside walls with water
• wash the windows
• throw wet sponges at the wall. Makes and Takes has instructions for some cool looking water sponge toys.
• take a bubble bath
• sail boats in an aluminium foil river as seen at Filth Wizardry
• mop the floor
• test household objects to find out - does it sink or float? There’s an example at No Time for Flashcards
• transfer water with a spoon or an eyedropper or by squeezing out a sponge
• drop rocks in water and make a big splash
• get an aquarium net and let your child go fishing for toy fish or ping pong balls
• get out the play sea creatures and create an ocean tub, like this one at No Time for Flashcards. You can also put a mirror in the bottom of the tub.
• transfer coloured water with funnels and tubes
• try bobbing for apples
• wash your car
• do some chalk and water painting as seen at Filth Wizardry.

And more ideas from Science at Home’s list of things to do with water. She has a list of 10, and I have already mentioned some of them, but there are plenty of ideas I haven’t mentioned including …

• Make footprints
• Watch a convection current
• Drip it

What are your children’s favourite games with water?