50+ Kids Water Activities for Summer (w. free printable)

Are you looking for a few kids’ water activities for summer? Then you are in the right spot, my friend. Today I will be sharing 50 different ways to cool down on a hot day.

This list will also include supplies that you may need to grab asap so your kids can cope on a hot summer day.

You can also check out our Summer Activities for Kids With Printables post.

Before I jump into all the fantastic and fun summer water activities, please note that I have used an affiliate link or two below to help you find all these products easier.

50+ Kids Water Activities for Summer (w. free printable)

1. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Water Balloons (#1-5)

Everyone knows that water balloons and summer go hand in hand just like bread and butter. Right? I was unfortunately late to that thought a few summers ago but no longer. I prefer to buy the water balloons in bulk on Amazon.

So why do we need water balloons? For a water balloon fight of course. Be sure to include the entire family and wear clothing you don’t mind getting soaked.

You can also use the water balloons to play water balloon baseball! Other water balloon games include water balloon piñata, water balloon basketball, and water balloon toss.

6. Water Guns (#6-10)

Last year I stepped up our family’s water gun game. Instead of getting a pitiful water squirt gun that can be so expensive, I searched Amazon for a few weeks and I am so glad we did.

We had so much fun that even our neighbor’s kids joined in on the water fun.

You can use these guns for target practice, war, water gun painting, and even for learning.

11. The Garden Hose

Okay, I know this one might be a hot button amongst some but having a water hose is essential for summer. Besides just using it as is, you can use it with a sprinkler. This brings us to the next fun water activity.

12. Sprinkler Activities (#12-16)

If you don’t want to spend mullah on a sprinkler then you can totally DIY one with a PVC pipe. There are so many tutorials.

Another option is to use pool noodles. Simply attach it to your hose with the help of duct tape. Don’t forget to make a few holes in the pool noodle itself.

If you happen to have a swing set or play structure, why not set the sprinklers nearby?

Your kids can also play the classic game of sprinkler dash.

17. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Spray Bottles (#17-22)

It’s time to hit up the dollar store and grab a spray bottle or two.

A few ways to use these wallet-friendly toys are:

• a fun game of painting the sidewalk (or anything really) with a bit of washable paint mixed with water.
• art work with food coloring and paper (be sure to put down a plastic sheeting of sort to protect everything around your artist
• let your kids try to wash off a chalk drawing they created
• have them water plants (and themselves)
• have them wash their toys

You can also use a squeezable water bottle or any plastic bottle. Happy Toddler Playtime also has a few options to check out.

23. Kiddie Pool (#23-24)

Oh man, a pool helps beat the summer heat infinitely easier and has to be added to your list of kids water activities for summer. Even your older kids would agree. It allows for hours of fun. They are perfect to jump into after a hot day’s bike ride to your local park.

Feel free to try a game of ping pong pool. Simply have your kids aim for the center of their kiddie pool with little ping pong balls.

This year my husband will be building a structure to house our slightly larger kiddie pool. I can’t wait!!

25. Splash Pad

Are you one of the lucky ones that have a local splash pad? Then you need to visit it often and even have lunch there.

Now if you are like me, living in a super small town with zero splash pads, then you can always make a DIY splash pad. Here’s a tutorial on how to make your own splash pad.

26. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Water Table (#26 -28)

Let me say this straight off the bat- we’ve never owned a water table. We have however used a huge storage container filled it with water and added a few fun things for our kids. Sponge balls, an ice cube or two to increase the sensory play, plastic cups, and small toys. There are so many options for this fun activity.

I have even made it educational by throwing foam letters in the water, adding a strainer, and asking my kids to fish out the letter I called out.

29. Homemade Water Slide

I am pretty sure my kids now EXPECT this every year. Winters are for our backyard ice rink and summer must include water guns, buckets of water, and of course our slip n slide.

To make this we simply bought a few things from our local hardware store – a vapor barrier, tent pegs, and duct tape.

Even the adults enjoy this one.

Oh and be sure to use baby shampoo to coat your slip and slide.

30. Car Wash

We will never do this activity again until our kids are a little taller. It is still a pretty great way to encourage outdoor water play. A bucket of water, some car soap, and a sponge or soft cloth are all the tools they need.

Just be sure to let your kids know not to rest and drag the hose on your car. You’ve been warned.

31. Water Bucket Racing

Have your kids race to see who can run with a full water bucket without spilling.

32. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Sponge Bombs

A Pumpkin and A Princess has a fun tutorial to help you and your kiddos make your own sponge bombs to add to your summer activities.

33. Sensory Activities for Summer

This post has a few summer sensory activities for preschoolers. Be sure to add them to your list of kids’ water activities for summer.

34. Mini Water Blobs

Instead of making the popular giant water blob, why not create a few mini ones for your kids? Clumsy Crafter has a water blob tutorial right here

35. Water Balloon Jousting

Use your water balloons, pool noodles, and a fork. You then have your kids joust the suspended water balloons.

36. Duck Duck Splash

Think Duck Duck Goose except you pour a cup of water over the person’s head. Definitely a fun

Science Activities

37. Walking Water Experiment

If you want to throw in a bit of learning, then you need to have your kids try the walking water experiment.

For this, you need a few items.

1. clear cups
2. water
3. spoon
4. food coloring
5. paper towels (half sheets)

You can check out this video here on how to put everything together and conduct your experiment.

38. Water Cycle

Learn about the water cycle with a few simple tools.

39. Water Filtration

Explore Water filtration courtesy of Teach Beside Me

40. Sink or Swim

Have your child place different items in a tup of water to see if they will sink or swim (float). A few things you could include are rubber bands, foam toys, sticks, and rocks.

41. DIY Water Wall

Feeling up to a building project? Then it’s time to build a water wall for your kids. This tutorial is pretty thorough but I am sure there are more out there.

Hit Up Amazon for Some of the Items Listed in This Post

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42. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Water Park

If you live near a water park, be sure to check that out. Also, see if there are certain days when admission is cheaper.

43. Marine Park

What’s the best way to include learning about marine life and cooling down during the summer? A marine park of course. Many marine parks tend to have a summer program of some kind so be sure to see if you live near one.

44. The Beach

How can we forget to mention the beach or a lake? Be sure to include a beach ball and other beach toys to increase the summer fun.

45. Kids Water Activities for Summer: Ice Chalk

This activity should be prepped ahead of time. But all you need are cornstarch, water, food coloring or paint, and some craft sticks. Here’s a pretty simple tutorial for ice chalk from Kaplan Co.

46. Water Obstacle Course

Create a fun course in your backyard with water and a few fun things such as a tub of water, a giant plastic mat, and whatever your mind comes up with. Just be sure to include a starting line and an end of the line.

47. Outdoor Games (#47-55)

While these don’t directly include water, you can still add it to your summer list.

Hot Potato, jump rope with a cup of water, and hula hoops are perfect summer games. Just add a cup of water to make it fun! Feel free to play water twister, water balloon race with a spoon, water limbo with a hose, and tag with spray bottles or water guns.

Well there you go, over 50 fun kids water activities for summer for your younger kids and even you.

Below you can find a quick printable of all the 50+ kids water activities for summer ideas. Be sure to print it and put it on your fridge so you can quickly pick an activity or two for your family. Bring on summer!