Hot weather calls for water play, and a backyard is all it takes. From sprinkler games to sensory ice play, there is a water activity here for every age, from babies right through to teens, and most use things already sitting around the house.
Note: Always supervise children around water, and be water-wise where restrictions apply in your area.
Hose and Sprinkler Games
Sprinkler Run
Turn the sprinkler on while watering the lawn and let kids run through it. Simple, free, and always a hit.
Water Limbo
Hold the hose in an arc while watering the garden and let kids limbo underneath without getting wet. Lower the arc gradually until there is a winner.
Outdoor Shower
Set up the hose as an outdoor shower for older kids on a hot day, or take the baby bath outside for a change of scenery with little ones.
Pool Noodle Sprinkler
Plug one end of a pool noodle and use a nail to make small holes along its length. Attach the open end to the hose for a soft, DIY sprinkler that is gentler than a regular one.
Water Balloon and Water Gun Games
Water Balloon Fight
Fill a bucket of balloons and let the backyard battle begin. Rapid-fill balloon kits attach straight to a tap and can fill 100 balloons in under a minute.
Water Balloon Pinata
Hang balloons from a tree or Hills Hoist on string. Blindfold the kids and let them take turns swinging with a bat until the balloon bursts.
Water Gun Battle
A classic for good reason. Have kids wear swimming goggles to keep water out of their eyes during a full-scale water gun fight.
Squirt Gun Races
Lay a length of PVC pipe on the lawn, wet it down, and use water guns to squirt bath toys along the track to the finish line.
Spray Bottle Tag
A gentler version of tag using spray bottles instead of hands. For extra fun, add a few drops of food colouring to the water and have kids wear old white t-shirts.
Sensory and Learning Water Play
Ice Excavation
Freeze small toys inside ice cube trays or containers, then let kids dig them out as the ice melts. Safety glasses are a good idea if using anything with sharp edges.
Ice Painting
Freeze water with food colouring or glitter in large ice cube trays, adding a paddle pop stick to each one as a handle. Once frozen, kids can paint with the coloured ice as it melts.
Water Spelling
Give kids a spray bottle or water gun and let them practise letters and their name on the pavement. Chalk outlines can help younger kids trace along.
Floating Experiments
Fill a tub or bucket with water and gather household items such as bottle caps, corks, LEGO and small containers. Ask kids to guess whether each item will float or sink before testing it.
Toy Wash
Set up two buckets, one with soapy water and one for rinsing, and let kids wash their plastic or wooden toys with sponges and brushes. A practical activity that doubles as a chore.
Foil River
Scrunch aluminium foil into a long, narrow river shape on a gentle slope, add water, and float small cork boats down it.
Water Play for Babies and Toddlers
Backyard Bath
Take the baby bath outside for a change of scenery. It is an easy way to keep bath time fun without the mess indoors.
Inflatable or Clamshell Pool
A small inflatable pool is one of the most versatile purchases for water play, useful for splashing, floating games and sensory play alike.
Toe Diving
Drop soft, blunt toys into a shallow kiddie pool and let toddlers use their toes to fish them out. Avoid anything sharp that could puncture the pool.
Fishing Game
Drop small toys, balls or bath toys into a bucket or paddling pool and give kids a small net, such as an aquarium cleaning net, to scoop them out.
Water Play Ideas for Parties and Groups
Sponge Toss
Soak large sponges in a bucket of water and have kids toss them to each other without dropping them.
Sponge Bullseye
Set a target on a fence or lay a hula hoop on the ground and see who can hit it with a wet sponge from a distance.
Apple Bobbing
Fill a tub with water and float apples for kids to bob for. Always supervise young children closely during this one.
Slip and Slide
Use a tarp or thick plastic sheeting on the lawn, add water, and a squeeze of dishwashing liquid or tear-free shampoo to make it slippery. Store-bought kits work just as well.
Frisbee Float
Float two or three frisbees in a paddling pool and give kids ping pong balls to toss in. Assign different points to each frisbee to turn it into a scoring game.
Water Version of Backyard Games
Add water to games already in the cupboard. Play a lawn game with the sprinkler running nearby, use water balloons instead of bean bags for a toss game, or attach a water balloon to a tetherball for a soggy twist on the original.
Bubbles
Blow bubbles using wands or a homemade bubble mix. Bent paperclips, wire loops and string can be used to make oversized or unusually shaped bubbles.
Pool Noodle Play
Beyond the DIY sprinkler, pool noodles can be cut into floating shapes or used to pour and drain water for open-ended play.
Good to Know
Best age range: Most of these activities suit toddlers through primary-aged kids. Ice play, sensory bins and gentle sprinkler games work well for younger toddlers, while water balloon fights, squirt races and slip and slides suit school-aged kids and teens.
What you will need: A garden hose is enough for most of these activities. A few extras, such as a small inflatable pool, water balloons, a couple of spray bottles and some sponges, will cover almost everything on this list.
Being water-wise: Time water play for cooler parts of the day where possible, reuse water where it makes sense (tipping a paddling pool onto the garden afterwards, for example), and check for any local water restrictions before filling large inflatable pools.
Safety: Always actively supervise children around any amount of water, including shallow paddling pools and buckets. Keep an eye on sharp edges with ice play and remove balloon fragments from the yard afterwards, as they pose a choking risk for younger children and pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
A garden hose covers most of it. Sprinkler games, water balloons, water guns, spray bottle tag and a slip and slide all need nothing more than a hose and a few cheap extras.
Gentle options work best for younger kids, such as an outdoor bath, a small inflatable pool, floating toys to fish out, or toe diving in shallow water. Always supervise closely, as toddlers can be at risk in even a few centimetres of water.
Floating experiments introduce basic science concepts, water spelling supports early literacy, and frisbee float games with points can double as simple maths practice. Ice excavation and sensory bins also build fine motor skills.
Schedule water play for the cooler parts of the day, keep young children within arm’s reach at all times, and check the forecast for extreme heat warnings before extended outdoor play.
You might also like: