15+ Summer Water Activities for Kids

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Here’s a foolproof recipe for summer fun: just add water. Water play keeps kids cool and can turn ordinary days into exciting, splash-filled adventures. And the best part? Water activities don’t need to be complicated or take a long time to set up. These water activities for kids range from quick and easy to a little more hands-on, offering plenty of ways to enjoy a summer packed with refreshing, watery fun.

This post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a commission if you click or make a purchase. In addition, the information on this site is NOT intended to be medical advice. Please seek professional medical care if needed. See my full policy for more information.

Are These Water Activities Safe for Kids To Do?

While the water activity ideas we rounded up on this list are safe for kids to do, we always recommend that an adult be present.

Water play is fun and exciting, but it takes a split second for any kind of accident to occur, especially when large bodies of water are involved. So please, while many of us turn to water play for our young kids and toddlers to catch a break, don’t ever leave them unattended.

Why Do Children Like to Play With Water?

There’s just something magical about water play that completely captivates kids. It’s not just the splashing and giggling, although that’s a big part of it. Water play provides their little bodies with incredible sensory input.

When kids play with water, they’re experiencing different temperatures, textures, and movements all at once. That constant sensory feedback helps them explore the world in a hands-on way that is crucial for their development. Whether they’re pouring, squeezing, or simply watching water trickle through their fingers, it’s calming, satisfying, and deeply engaging for their senses.

Experts even note that sensory play with water can help kids improve their fine motor skills, focus, and emotional regulation.

But all of the sensory stuff aside, having fun in the water is the ultimate summer activity because it also keeps kids cool while letting them burn off all that endless energy. You don’t need to overcomplicate it either.

Whether it’s a backyard splash pad, a simple bucket and cup setup, tossing some water balloons, or a full-on pool day, kids will gravitate toward water every time. Plus, water play is often open-ended, which means kids can lead the activity with their creativity.

For example, they can turn a hose into a fire truck, a cup into a potion maker, or a water table into a whole ocean of pretend play. It’s the perfect mix of outdoor play fun, sensory-rich learning, and sweet summertime memories.

15+ Water Activities for Kids (Indoor & Outdoor Fun)

close up image of a DIY Water Wall activity put together against a brown fence — Image from Kids Activities

01

DIY Water Wall for Backyard

Turn empty plastic bottles into a DIY water wall. It’s a clever upcycle that doubles as hands-on sensory fun. Once the water starts flowing, expect instant splashes, laughter, and kids coming back for round after round.

02

Water Balloon Pinata

A water balloon piñata is the perfect grab-and-go summertime activity. With almost no setup, it’s a great way to get kids cooled off and having fun right away. While we haven’t personally tried this activity yet, it is clearly loved by many for a good reason.

03

Pool Noodle Boats by Rock Your Homeschool

These pool noodle boats are the perfect summertime project for little ones! Made with basic materials, they’re quick to build and ready to float in the water table or pool for hours of fun. Plus, you can add a little spin on it by adjusting the weight on each boat to experiment with a little “sink or swim”.

04

Superhero Water Learning Activity by Life with Darcy & Brian

What kid doesn’t love to play superheroes? Add a little water and it’s the perfect summer activity. Plus, incorporate some measuring fun to make this fun water play educational.

05

Ice Cube Rescue by Mom After Baby

Ice and water sort of go hand in hand. It’s another great way to keep cool and bring more sensory experiences into your child’s world. With this activity, you simply freeze some of your child’s favorite little toys (from small action figures, Hot Wheels cars, or even flowers) and then let them figure out a way to get them out!

Mom tip: my kids LOVE licking the ice and then eventually using a little sensory tool to try and crack it open.

2 images, one on top of kids playing in water and one of kids in the grass on the bottom with text overlay that reads 'super fun backyard water games'. — Image from Picklebums

06

Water Games to Play in the Backyard by Picklebums

Kids can lose interest in games quickly, so having plenty of options is key. These water games put a splashy spin on classic childhood favorites, keeping the fun flowing and the kids cool all summer long.

07

5 Little Ducks Water Play Activity by Messy Little Monster

Almost every kid loves a rubber duck, even the very youngest. This ducky water play idea is fun and a simple way for babies and little ones to have fun with water.

08

Water Xylophone by Natural Beach Living

Kids will be amazed when you line up lots of glasses filled with water, and suddenly they’re making music. Teaching music is an important skill, but with this water xylophone, kids will be so busy having fun that they won’t even realize they’re learning a new skill.

09

Sensory Soup by The Crazy Outdoor Mama

This water activity is a sensory adventure packed with fun. Kids can gather natural materials like leaves, flowers, and stones to create their own little “sensory soup”. They’ll have fun exploring textures and colors while splashing and mixing them into the water.

10

How to Make Water Bombs with Sponges by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Water balloon fights are always a blast, but filling up loads of balloons and picking up little pieces after isn’t so much fun for us parents. These reusable water bombs, however, are easy to make and are ready for a major water battle at a moment’s notice (without leaving a massive mess).

11

Beach Water Table Sand by Sugar, Spice and Glitter

Waterproof sand sounds like magic. How could it possibly stay dry? But the thing is, it really works! And the best part is you can easily make it right at home and bring the beachy vibes into your own backyard.

12

Water Table Exploration by Mom After Baby

While many of the activities on this list require you to set up an activity, this one only requires one thing: a water table. Chances are, if you’re a toddler mom, you have one at home already! With water tables, the water play ideas are endless! Just fill it with water, give your kiddos some buckets or scoopers, and let them explore on their own terms.

If you don’t have a water table, here are some of our favorite ones:

close up image of kids playing in a sprinkler

13

Sprinkler Water Games by Two Kids & A Coupon

Sometimes it’s the simple activities that make the most fun. That’s exactly what these outdoor sprinkler games are! Whether you own a simple yard sprinkler or a wacky kid’s sprinkler, kids (both young and older) will have a blast playing these games with them.

14

Water Balloon Play by Mom After Baby

I’m not sure why it took us so long to grab these reusable water balloons, but we finally caved, and summertime has never been more fun! You can create a fun game, such as playing toss, doing a round of water balloon baseball, or simply having a water balloon fight. All are fun and irresistible to little ones.

15

Ice Transfer Activity by Taming Little Monsters

Let your little ones work on strengthening their hands and fingers while also keeping cool. This is an activity you can set up both indoors or outdoors (but the ice may melt sooner if it’s too hot of a day). Bonus points if you offer them a variety of tongs and grabbers to use to help enhance their fine motor skills!

16

Splash Pad Simon Says by Mom After Baby

If you haven’t snagged this (now viral, it wasn’t viral when we got it) giant splash pad from Costco, this is your sign to get one! My boys not only love playing in it with their toys, or running and sliding around, but they really love to play Simon Says.

Sometimes we will do a little “twister style” where we will say “Simon says put your right foot on the yellow fish” or sometimes we will keep it simple with “Simon says, pretend to be a shark”. Get creative, set up a splash pad, have fun, and keep cool!

When it comes to the water activities for kids on this list, which ones do you think your little ones would love the most?