15 Water Sensory Activities That Your Toddler Will Love

1. Floating and Sinking Fun 🧸⚓

Grab a collection of small toys and household items and have your toddler guess whether each one will float or sink. Not only is this a ton of fun, but it’s also a sneaky way to introduce early science concepts. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen if we drop this in the water?” Then, let them test it out!

For more ideas on sensory play using household items, check out Sensory Bin Ideas with Household Items.

2. Color Mixing Magic 🎨

Fill a few small containers with water and add food coloring to each. Give your toddler a dropper or small spoon to mix different colors together. Watch their eyes light up as red and blue become purple! This is an excellent activity for introducing basic color theory.

Pro Tip: You can make this even more educational by using a color wheel to predict which colors will mix to create new ones.

3. Animal Rescue Mission 🐠🚒

Freeze small plastic animals in ice cubes, then let your toddler “rescue” them by melting the ice with warm water or using a toy hammer to crack it open. It’s a fun way to talk about temperature and states of matter! You can freeze dinosaurs too.

During winter you can do this in snow for more winter outdoor play ideas check this post.

4. Water Beads Sensory Bin 🌈

Water beads are tiny, colorful beads that expand when soaked in water. They’re a fantastic sensory experience for toddlers! Pour them into a bin with some water, add a few scoops or cups, and let your toddler dig in. They’ll love the squishy texture and bright colors. This is more for older toddlers, who won’t try to eat the beads.

5. Soap Foam Party 🧼🎉

Whip up a batch of soap foam by mixing water, baby soap, and (optional) a bit of food coloring with a hand mixer until it’s fluffy. Pour it into a bin, add some small toys or tools, and let your toddler explore the frothy fun. This activity is great for tactile exploration and can even double as a cleanup activity!

6. Mini Car Wash 🚗🧽

Set up a mini car wash with toy cars, a soapy water bin, and a rinse bin. Your toddler can scrub the cars clean with a sponge and then rinse them off. This activity is perfect for car-loving kiddos and teaches them about cleaning and care. (You might also get your kids car collection clean).

7. Nature Sensory Water Play 🍂🌼

Take a nature walk with your toddler and collect leaves, flowers, and small sticks. Then, bring them home and add them to a water bin. Your toddler can explore how different natural objects float or sink, absorb water, or change color. It’s a beautiful way to connect with nature and water play.

Want more nature-inspired sensory ideas? Don’t miss our post on Nature Sensory Bottle Ideas for more eco-friendly fun!

8. Bubbles Everywhere! 🫧

Fill a bin with soapy water and give your toddler a bubble wand or a whisk. They can create bubbles galore, pop them, or just watch them float away. Bubbles are always a hit, and they help toddlers develop hand-eye coordination. (I did this with Luca and he got scared of the bubble machine so back to the old fashioned bubble wand we went.)

9. Fishing for Fun 🎣

Create a DIY fishing game with a small pool or bin filled with water. Use toy fish or cut-out fish shapes with a paperclip attached. Then, make a fishing rod with a magnet on the end and let your toddler “catch” the fish. This game is great for fine motor skills and can easily be turned into a counting activity.

10. Rainy Day Water Play ☔

Use an umbrella, rain boots, and some waterproof toys to create a rainy day experience right in your backyard or bathtub. Let your toddler splash in the “rain,” jump in “puddles,” and enjoy the sensation of water falling from the umbrella.

(Ok this is something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid, but wasn’t really allowed to. Just imagine splashing around in the summer rain- the smell -and than a hot bath and warm cacao to get warmed up again)

PS.: If your toddler loves rain, check out our Rain Sensory Bins post for more wet-and-wild ideas!

11. Water Painting 🎨💦

All you need is a bucket of water and some paintbrushes! Let your toddler “paint” on the sidewalk, fence, or driveway with just water. They’ll love seeing the water make the surface darker and then magically disappear as it dries. This is a mess-free way to get creative! Also works on paper if you want to do it indoors.

12. DIY Sensory Bottles 🍼

Water sensory bottles are a simple yet fascinating activity for toddlers. Fill clear plastic bottles with water and add glitter, small beads, or even a few drops of food coloring. Seal them up tight, and let your toddler shake, tilt, and roll them to watch the magic happen.

13. Garden Water Play 🌸

Transform your toddler’s sensory bin into a magical garden! 🌱 Start by adding water, and then bring the garden to life with toy insects, colorful fake flowers, and even some plastic veggies or fruits.

To enhance the experience, include small watering cans so your little one can “water” the garden. Not only is this a delightful way to explore nature, but it also helps with fine motor skills as your toddler carefully tends to their mini garden. This activity is perfect for a sunny day and encourages imaginative play, making it a favorite for both you and your child. 🌼🦋

14. Floating Alphabet Soup 🔤

Turn water play into a fun learning experience with Floating Alphabet Soup! Fill a sensory bin with water and toss in some foam letters. Hand your toddler a small net or strainer, and let them fish out the letters one by one.

It’s a fantastic way to practice letter recognition and even work on spelling simple words—all while splashing around! This playful approach to learning keeps your child engaged and helps reinforce their ABCs in an enjoyable, hands-on way. 🥣✨

15. Arctic Adventure 🧊

Embark on a chilly Arctic Adventure with this icy water sensory bin! Start by filling a bin with cold water, then add plastic arctic animals like penguins, polar bears, and seals.

To complete the scene, float some Styrofoam “icebergs” on the surface, giving your little one a true arctic experience. This activity not only provides a cool sensory experience but also sparks conversations about different habitats and animals. Perfect for a hot day or when you want to bring a bit of winter indoors! 🐧❄️

Setting Up Your Water Sensory Play Space 🛠️

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have a setup that makes water play as stress-free as possible. Here’s what you need:

Optional: Outdoor Space: If you can, set up outdoors! It makes cleanup a breeze, and your toddler gets a dose of fresh air. I always make sure that there is enough shadow.

A Large Plastic Tub or Bin: This is your water playground. Make sure it’s sturdy and big enough for your toddler to explore without spilling water everywhere (we’re aiming for mess-contained, remember?). (Ok grandpa got this really amazing foldable one, I’d recommend one like that, it’s super simple to store)

Towels or a Waterproof Mat: Lay these around your water play area to catch any spills. A beach towel works great! (The pee mat does fine too, or you do it where you have tiles.)

Waterproof Apron: Keep your little one comfy and dry (well, as dry as possible) with a waterproof apron. Or let him/ her go commando.