Due to the weather getting nicer here in NY I am running a series of posts on fun, inexpensive things for the kids to do outside.  This is the second post in the Fair Weather Fun series and I am focusing on water fun today!

Fair Weather Fun Water Activities

1. Slip n Slide

You can choose to buy one a slip n slide fairly inexpensively at the store, or you can grab some plastic, and tape and make one.

We used plastic sheeting and duct tape that I had purchased like a crazy, scared person after September 11th. You could also use tarps, large contractor bags, and even plastic table clothes. Either way, use a good sturdy tape like duct tape and secure together the length that you would like to use. We then used a little wood from our wood pile to keep it held down in the yard.

Add the sprinkler and you have a slip n slide that will hold up better than your store bought one!

2. Water Balloons

Use up the left overs from that last birthday party if you have them. Our kids enjoy playing toss with water balloons. Have the kids partner up and face each other. Each time they toss the balloon to their partner they take a step back. I am not sure where the most joy comes from, the feeling that they didn’t have the balloon explode on them, or getting that nice cool splash when it does explode on them!

3. Water Bottle Wars

This is a great alternative if you do not have squirt guns. All you need is some sort of squeezable water bottles. We use the bottled water bottles we buy because they are made so thinly now. Just poke a hole through the cap, fill them with water, and squeeze!

4. Balloon “Hot Potato”

Poke a hole in a balloon using a safety pin. Then fill it with water and tie the end to create a time bomb with a slow leak. Players stand in a circle and toss the balloon around. The idea is not to be the one holding the balloon when it runs out of water. The focus really isn’t on winning or losing, it’s on how much fun you’ll have getting wet as the balloon goes around!

5. Wash Your Stuff

Give the kids a bucket of soapy water and some sponges or rags and let them have it. They can wash their bikes, ride ons, outdoor toys/furniture, and maybe even your car if you are lucky! You can even get a bunch of plastic dolls/figures for the kids to play with in the water. Our little one loves to give baths to her dolls and toys!

You can even play outside in the rain!

Be sure there is no lightning in the area, grab an umbrella, or not, and go splash in the puddles.

Get out different sized containers and see how long it takes each one to fill in the rain.

In Case of Bad Weather

If you do end up with one of those days where you can’t get outside for some water fun then try some online fun. Here are some great web sites for learning about where our water comes from, the different forms it takes, some fun activities and printables, trivia and more!

1. Kids Water Fun
You use water every day. It’s good for drinking, for washing, for cleaning (ugh!), for swimming, and for lots of other things. But do you ever think about where our water comes from? Or the different forms water can take?  Learn more about water, play water trivia and more!

2. Safe Water Kids

Learn more about drinking water and ground water. This site has teacher resources broken down into grade levels.

3. Kidzone Science – Water

Learn all about the water cycle.

More Fair Weather Fun