Water Toys

[Cat Herder]

I tend to use the "special" stuff more for birthday parties and Fridays than every day. The playground water tables have a "1 fill only. Dump and you're done." rule. They learn that if they dump it, they run out of playtime fast.

[Blackcat31]

We have a basic yard sprinkler. Anything meant for kids or that is cute is really a PITA so plain old water sprinkler here.
Nothing that oscillates, turns or rotates. It just sprays water.
We also have those foam water spray things... I fill up a big Rubbermaid tote with water and let them go. Easy to fill and spray.
I used to have a water mat, a water table, water slide and a small wading pool but over the years my willingness to manage these things got lost so I ditched them.
Outside time with water play is now uncomplicated and stress free.

[Alwaysgreener]

I have two of Orbit PVC Elevated Base Cobra Misting Stand instead of sprinklers. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cobra-Mi...057W/100373188

[e.j.]

I have a couple of water tables that they enjoy but their favorite thing to use is a spray bottle filled with water. I got several small spray bottles at Walmart. I think they cost a dollar or two each and come in several different colors. Each kid is assigned a bottle so there are no fights over who was playing with which bottle. They know they can squirt trees, flowers, outside toys, etc but not each other. If they spray someone else, they lose their bottle for the day. We just took them out today for the first time this season and they had so much fun! The only problem I had was taking my 1.5 year old's bottle away. She had just figured out how to work it when it was time to go in and didn't want to give it up. The screaming didn't last too long, though.

[Gemma]

I have a water table, other than that I hook a sprinkler to the fence and the kids run through it, and they play with water bottles (line up pinecones for target practice etc.)
they blow bubbles... they play car (and other toys) wash .

[Sparkles]

That looks like so much fun! I'll probably be getting this Thanks for the tip!

[Cat Herder]

Oh, pro tip. The bins are a PITA to keep in place. I drilled holes just below the lip on all four corners and zip tied them in place. Yes, I have to cut the zip tie to clean and store them, but it is so much better than having to refill them constantly from that kid who figures out they can just shove them through. Zip ties are cheap. lol!

[Cat Herder]

No, I got it on amazon. It has sand bins and a bubble machine, too. They like to hop through on the happy hoppers and play "carwash". I toss some microfiber washcloths in the little bins with some baby wash and water. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

[Sparkles]

Did you make the PVC sprinkler?

[Cat Herder]

We enjoy:

• An infant pool that we "go fishing" in with magnet fish and poles.
• Two sizes of sand/water tables and toys.
• Garden sprinklers.
• PVC carwash sprinkler.
• Little Tykes beachball sprinkler.
• Beakers, droppers, squirt animals and filled buckets.

[Sparkles]

I'm planning to spend a lot of time outside this summer and want to include fun things with water! What are your/your dcks favorite water activities?