Water

This is one of the simplest water activities for toddlers, but it is a hit every time. Grab some toys (dirty or not), add some soap, and get to washing. Great for indoors or out. Works on bilateral coordination by holding the toy with one hand and the wash rag with the other, building vocabulary – in/out, pour, scoop, wash, clean, dirty, sink, float, etc.

Paint with water. Grab some real house paint brushes and rollers and go to town painting the sidewalk or garage! Works on motor coordination, balance and strength. Works on preschool science concepts like wet and dry.

This is a super simple activity, but it’s always exciting. Put water into a container and add a little food coloring. Watch as the water changes color. Do this with a different color in container. Pour both containers together in a bowl and see what color it becomes. Works on cognitive skills, vocabulary, and fine motor skills for pouring.

Play in the sand. Build sand castles, bury treasures and dig them up, walk on the sand and swim in the water. This great family outing is a fun way to spend a warm day. Just remember to always be right with your toddler for safety’s sake. Works on motor skills walking on uneven surfaces like sand and through water, scooping, pouring and picking up items in the sand, and communication when you talk about the sand, water, sun, etc. Remember your sunscreen.

Have goldfish crackers for snack and use a pretzel stick with peanut butter, cream cheese, or some other sticky dip on the end to “catch" the fish. Works on self-care skills like feeding and improves fine motor control by touching pretzel to fish or picking up fish with fingers.

Visit the oldest aquarium in the United States. Drive down the road a bit and visit the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. You can go up and watch the ships go by on the Detroit River, and see many things related to our Great Lakes State. The museums are free and open on weekends. You will need a State of Michigan Park pass to get onto the island, which is either attached to your license plate when you bought it, or costs $17 at the gate and gets you into any state park for a year.

Clifford enjoys a day at the beach

A scared fish conquers his fears helping a friend.

A beautiful fish learns that sharing is a good way to make friends.

Simple colorful book showing water in its many forms

What is water; what does it do

Spot books have lift-a-flap sections to find surprises

Baby shark, do do do doot doot do do (3x)

Baby Shark

Repeat with Mama shark, Papa shark, Grandma shark, Grandpa shark, Hungry sharks, Little fish

Swim away, Swim faster, Swim faster, Safe at last

Rain rain go away

Come again another day.

Daddy wants to play

Rain rain go away

Mommy, brother, sister, baby, all the family

Come on, let’s go. Today is hot so

We’ll have some fun out in the sun

The sand and sea’s the place to be.

Let’s build, build, build a castle

Build, build, build a castle

Lets’ build, build, build a castle

We’re playing at the beach.

Splash in the waves; Bounce a beach ball; Fly a kite;

Can you wash your hair? I can wash my Hair!

Repeat with Feet, face, knees

I can wash my _______.

This is the way we take a bath

Shoulders, toes, hands, nose

One two three four five

Once I caught a fish alive

Six seven eight nine ten

Then I let him go

Why did you let him go?

Because he bit my finger so

Which finger did he bite?

This little finger on the right

Oh, Rubber Duckie, you're the one

You make bath time lots of fun

Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you

Bo bo bo de oh

Rubber Duckie, joy of joys

When I squeeze you, you make noise

Rubber Duckie, you're my very best friend, it's true

Oh, every day when I

Make my way to the tubby

I find a little fellow who's

Cute and yellow and chubby

Rub-a-dub-dubby

Rubber Duckie, you're so fine

And I'm lucky that you're mine

Rubber duckie, I'm awfully fond of you