
Water play Activity
Water play provides toddlers with fun, rich learning experiences.
Why do it?
Playing with water is a fun activity that can be enjoyed inside or outside, providing tamariki with multiple opportunities for open-ended play and skill development.
- It can promote language, cognitive and sensory activities.
- Water play can be calming, exciting or require focus and concentration.
- It also supports hand–eye coordination.
- Water play doesn’t have to be only at bath time.
- Skills are developed by pouring, measuring, filling, emptying, splashing, swirling and floating.
How to do it
You don’t need a large quantity of water for a toddler to enjoy themselves — an ice cream container full of water with a small yoghurt container to dip and pour is enough. Water play can be:
- washing dishes
- watering the garden
- blowing bubbles
- walking in the rain
- splashing in puddles
- bathing dolls
- paddling in the waves
- having a tea party
- racing waka
- washing the car
- having a bath.
Further tips for water play fun
- For toddlers, gumboots and puddles can provide lots of fun for stomping and splashing in. Dropping stones in and watching and listening to the results is great too.
- On warmer days, put a baby bath or large container outside and fill it with lukewarm water. Add plastic cups for dipping and pouring, sponges to squeeze and things that float.
- Use buckets, basins, babies’ baths, sieves, hoses and plastic containers. Have objects that float or sink.
Safety tips
- Water play requires constant supervision at this age and stage.
- An old towel on the floor will help to avoid anyone slipping in puddles.
Using more te reo Māori
Te reo Māori | English |
---|---|
Ringi | Pour |
Wai | Water |
Ngongo wai | Water hose |
Ua | Rain |
Awa | River |
Hōpua | Pool |
Kapua | Cloud |
Tōhihi | Puddle |
Pāpaku | Low |
Tātari | Strainer, colander |
Horoi | Wash |
Kaukau | Swim |
Tāre | Doll |
Pākete | Bucket |
Hoe | Paddle |
Waka | Boat |
Utuhia | Fill a container |
Whakapiakotia | To empty out |
Pōhutu | Splash |
Patapata | Drip |
Pūrewa, teretere | To float, be buoyant |
Takawiri | Cork |
Totohu | Sink |
Kia mataara | To be alert, vigilant |
Kia tūpato | Be careful |
Kamupūtu | Gumboot |
Mirumiru | Bubbles |
Pōrutu | Splashing |
He mahana tēnei wai | This water is warm |
He makariri tēnei wai | This water is cold |
Tangohia tō poraka | Take off your jersey |
Kei te mākū koe? | Are you wet? |
Homai te tāora | Pass me the towel |
He ipu aihikirīmi | Ice cream container |
Tāora | Towel |
Uwhiuwhi | Sprinkle |
Māku | Wet |
Kapu | Cup |
Kōpūpūtai | Sponge |
Kōhatu | Stone |
Rākau | Stick |
Tere | Fast |
Pārekareka | Enjoyable, fun |