One of the most basic water activities you can do is to wash the toys.
Its a perfect indoor water activity for toddlers to do. Just make sure to prep just a bit so there’s not a complete mess to clean up.
I laid down a shower curtain that I keep on hand just for activities like this. (I think its a couple bucks at the dollar store.)
I had George gather up a few of his toys to wash. It took a bit to explain which type of toys he could wash and which ones really wouldn’t work for this. I really didn’t want to wash stuffed animals or anything soft really. So it was kind of a sensory activity in that way too.
While he gathered his toys, I got two tubs of water ready. Barely any water in each of them. Maybe an inch deep.
In one tub I put a tad bit of dish soap in there to make some bubbles. The other tub I kept as clean water to be a rinsing tub for the toys.
And George was busy cleaning toys all morning long!
I set out sponges, a bottle brush and the tiny nipple brush for detailing.
It was a perfect way to keep George busy for a bit and also get the toys clean after being sick and indoors all winter long.
Oh! Set out a towel to put the toys on after they’ve been washed. They need to air dry too. Or the kids can dry them off too with a hand towel! George parked all his toys on the towel to dry.
More water activities for toddlers to do:
- A sensory activity with water and newspaper
- Sink or float experiment
- Practice pouring water
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Laurie A Garner says
You asked why we’re doing the activity challenge: i’m looking for more ways for my younger child to be occupied so that I can spend 10 mins of alone time with my older child.
Melissa McClintock Daenzer says
I have to say the cloth wipes bin idea is excellent! I can adapt this for our “cleaning cloths” which I used to call rags, lol. We use these for hands, art, cleaning the table, white boards, etc, anything that only requires water or nothing. However, they get scattered. THIS gives the rags a location AND a place to RETURN them. Also, the preschoolers will enjoy putting them back IN, just like in your video! I just get a kick when I find an idea that upcycles AND spans age groups! Thanks!
Boy3Mama says
I’m trying to find the cleaning cloths idea. I don’t see it in this post.
OneMommy says
There is nothing like playing in the water to keep little ones busy! And this way the toys get clean, too!
Jamie Reimer says
Agreed!!