Summer is around the corner, which means it’s time to soak up the sun! If you can’t get to the beach or pool this year, don’t worry! There are still lots of ways your family can cool down. Check out some of these great water play ideas.

• Assemble a toy car wash. Break out a bucket of soapy water and the hose. Your little ones will love dunking their waterproof toys into a bucket of bubbles and then spraying them clean. They may have more fun playing with the hose, so make sure you’re wearing swim clothes. If you prefer not to use a hose, fill a separate bucket with clean water for rinsing the toys.
• Water the garden. Children love to help, so why not enlist them to help water your flowers? Fill a child-size watering can and show your children how to water plants. If you have a larger garden, break out the hose, but be prepared to get sprayed!
• Build a homemade water wall. Check out this DIY water wall from Happy Hooligans. You can make one from recyclable items found around the house.
• Play with bubbles. Bubbles are just plain fun for children and adults. You can buy them or make your own with some warm water, sugar and dish soap. Kick bubble-play up a notch with some experiments. Get your children’s hands wet and blow bubbles onto their palms. They’ll squeal with delight when the bubbles don’t pop.
• Draw with watercolor sidewalk chalk. Drawing with sidewalk chalk is fun, but it’s even more fun with water. Let your children draw with chalk, then give them a bucket of water and a large paintbrush and have them paint over their drawings. They can also dip the chalk into the water first and then draw with the wet chalk. Ask them about the differences between drawing with wet and dry chalk.
• Make mud pies. Let your child get their hands dirty by making mud pies. This simple activity is always a big hit. Create a make-believe outdoor kitchen where children can “bake” muddy delights.
• Have a water fight. If your little one is still too young for water blasters, buy some inexpensive spray bottles and have a spray bottle battle! You could also use water ballons like these reusable ones that are fun and eco-friendly.
• Create a sensory bin. Kids love sensory bins and they’re so easy to set up! You just need a plastic bin, water, scoopers (measuring cups, ladles, funnels, etc.) and items for your child to scoop and transfer. Items could be small toys, pom-poms, ice cubes or slices of fruit and vegetables.
• Go fish. Set up a baby pool outside and fill it with ocean-themed bath toys. Give your child a small net and watch them fish out their friends!
• Take a sponge walk. Grab sponges of different sizes, fill them with water and make a path outside using the sponges for your child to walk on. It’s a cool, sensory experience!