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Explorers. Scientists. Adventurers. Water play is all about letting the imagination run wild and free.

It is so much more than just splashing about.

Be it a scorcher outside, a cold windy day or even rain clouds looming, water play knows no bounds.

Hands, feet and even their cute little mouths — your little nature nymph will grow their world (and imagination) through exploring with their senses. Just like we do.

They absorb it. They observe it. And just like us, they take everything in as we see, hear, touch, smell and taste.

So be it bubbles in the bath, brewing potions in a bucket or just the simple pleasure of jumping in rain puddles, now is the perfect time to introduce your little one to some water fun.

Splish, splash

Water play, just like other sensory play, helps to build fundamental motor skills. From balance and strength to trust and resistance — children are able to experiment and push their limits in different ways and where simple things like splashing or kicking are a whole new sensory experience.

Water adds a whole level of discovery and exploration. By now, your little adventurer(s) have likely discovered sticks and stones, sand and soil along with other elements of nature like leaves, feathers and flowers. But what happens when they mix, stir and sift these with water?

Well, Mum. You get delicious mud pies!

Add in your aquatic friends and you’ve a whole new world of adventures to uncover like tadpoles, frogs and fishes!

State of [Blue] Mind

But beyond exploring their world of experimentation, cause and effect, water play can have its therapeutic and calming benefits too. A cool bath on a hot day can relax and calm a cranky baby. Blowing bubbles can slow the mind of an active toddler. While “washing” dishes in the sink can create focus for a wandering mind.

It’s scientifically proven that when we move away from the stressors in our life and into nature, we get a shift.

We relax. We get perspective. We calm. And we quieten. So surely, this has the same effect on our little ones?

Being in, near or around water has exactly this effect. It makes us happier, healthier and more connected. Without going into the medical science of it all  (click to read more), it’s been shown that people who spend more time around water, in some way, have more of the “feel-good hormones” than those that don’t.

Marine biologist, Wallace J. Nichols even goes so far as to call it “Blue Mind”…

“We become so focused on the water that we enter a mindful state. As a result, we enjoy lower stress levels; relief from anxiety, pain, and depression; improved mental clarity and focus; and better sleep.”

So watching a waterfall roll over the rocks, waves crashing against the shore or even a goldfish swimming, really does give a sense of peace, serenity…and sometimes rejuvenation.

But before you even say, “We don’t have a bath/backyard/nearby [insert body of water]”, open your mind and let the imagination be free…

Water play

Beach

Fortunate to live by a beach, waterfall or wild waters? Then by all accounts EXPLORE it with your little adventurers. Pack a picnic, roll up the beach towels, and grab the swimmers (if it’s warm enough). Oh and don’t forget a bucket or two to collect any quirky and interesting nature finds. (But remember — it could be the home for a living creature so always check before pocketing it.)

If at the beach, get ready for a rockpool ramble and while away hours of exploration. Clamber over the rocks together, smell the salt air and discover mini-ecosystems and secret marine worlds brimming with incognito crabs, schools of fish, shells and other rockpool treasures.

Wild waters like rivers, creeks and dams are perfect for finding tadpoles, frogs and even turtles. If there’s time before you head out, do a quick search to see what native animals might live around the area and see if you can spot them together.

Use this time to also teach your children about water safety, and if unsure yourself, then be inspired to enrol in swimming lessons. It’s never too late.

Bucket

Grab a bucket or plastic tub and pop it outside. Fill part way with water and you’ve got an hour or so of entertainment with your little one. Collect some rocks, leaves, sticks, some toys and even some dirt to create fairy soup, arctic iceland, underwater world or dinosaur swamp.

Even if it’s cold outside, water play (whatever the season) is always fun. Just use warm water instead of cold. Or set them up indoors…

Do their favourite animal toys need a bath? Or maybe a Monster Truck carwash? (We all know they can a bit icky and dirty, especially if they’ve had a lot of outdoor play). If it’s an animal bath, make animal sounds together or if they have a collection of vehicles make their sounds too. It’s a great way to expand your little one’s language skills and by doing this, you Can Teach Your Child, how to associate an object with its sound…

And whether outdoors or in, infuse the water with slices of lemon, sprigs of rosemary or blossoming flowers and encourage them to sniff and smell.

Bath

Baths are for bathtime which comes right before bedtime, right? Uh-uh. Bathtime can be whatever time you want to make it. Steaming hot day? Run a cold bath, grab some bubbles and cool down together. Or have a warm, fizzy soak in the tub with lots of bubbles and create an imaginary aquatic world.

Let the imagination get wild and create “glittery witch’s potion” or “fishing pond”…

Don’t have a bathtub? Fill the kitchen or laundry sink with bubbles. Or if they’re too big, let them stand at the sink (with your supervision) and “wash” the dishes or make a Superhero sensory sink.

The ideas are endless and so is the entertainment… And each experience will teach them something new about their world. So go on the tap and see what ideas come flowing out.

And if all else fails, turn on the stereo and play some relaxing water sounds of storms, waterfalls or waves crashing at the beach.