Exploring water

Water play is sensory, exploratory, and provides connections to nature and the elements. Children are naturally drawn to water and will especially enjoy playing with water outdoors.

Play Activity

Mud kitchen

What could be more fun than water, dirt and sand? A mud kitchen! Let your imaginations soar as you mix, pour, scoop and splash. “Kitchens” can be set up for long-lasting imaginative play.

Sample Materials

  • Pots and pans
  • Spoons, ladles
  • Sieves, colanders
  • Shovels
  • Small plastic containers (e.g. ice cream tub, yogurt cups)
  • Pie and muffin pans
  • Teacups
mud kitchen

Play Challenge

Build a raft that floats using natural materials. Give it a test in a large puddle, kitchen sink, or bucket of water. How many objects can your raft hold before it sinks?

Sample Materials

  • Leaves
  • Sticks
  • Plants
  • Grass
  • Anything you can find in nature
float
float
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