Summer is a great time for water play. You're outside and the activities require little clean up.
Here are some great summer water play activities!
Provide the children with cups of water and paint brushes. Encourage them to paint on surfaces such as fences, decks, or the side of a building.
Put out your garden sprinkler and set it on low and let the children stand by or run through the water.
Fill shallow containers with water and provide cups, sponges and squirt toys. For an exciting art project, mix liquid soap, water and a small amount of washable paint. When the children are in their swimming suits or old clothes, give them small, soft brushes and let them body paint. They can stand in the sprinkler to wash the paint off.
Here are some water play safety tips:
Water from a garden hose that has laid in the sun is hot. Run the water out before using it with young children.
Children can drown in one inch of water. This includes buckets and pools. Try using the sprinkler and small, shallow pans for activities.
Sunshine is great, but don't forget the sunscreen to protect children's delicate skin. Ask parents to provide you with a tube of sunscreen and get permission to use it. Make it a regular part of your routine to apply it everytime you go outside and more often if you are outside all day.
Keep a tote box packed with supplies for outdoor activities. In the tote, you should have a supply of tissues, band-aids, wipes, and sunscreen. Include items such as paper and a pencil to write notes and a list of emergency numbers. Leave some space to add supplies for that day's activities. Also take a cordless or cellular phone. If you need to answer a call, you won't need to leave the children unattended to answer the phone. You also may use the phone for emergencies.
Enjoy the days of Summer safely!