Water play activities are so much fun, for babies and also for adults. You want to get your baby to start exploring with different types of play and one of them is water play.
I used to just give Baby K a bath and not let her play with water beyond the bath session. I think it was a good start. However, she started to be more interactive and curious, so it was time to experiment with water play activities.
These ideas that I am sharing with you are quite simple. It does not require a lot of time or effort (some, but not overwhelming). Also, we’re tired, so anything that is highly effective with the least amount of work is good enough for me.
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Here are 5 water play activities ideas for babies (1 year and under):
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The reason why I am focusing on babies under a year old is because my baby is a year old and I only have experience on things that she enjoys up to now. If you are interested in toddler activities, here is one by Happy Hooligans. Let’s dive in. Get it? Haha.
1. Swimming pool
I’m starting off with an obvious one. You can take your baby to a swimming pool, whether it is the community center pool or the one in your backyard. I know some parents are concerned with the pools with chlorine, but there are alternatives out there such as salt water pools. Do your research on what you are comfortable with, especially with your babe.
There are a few things you can do with your baby in the pool such as float them on their back with your support, or going in and out of the pool.
You can enroll your baby in an infant swimming class as well. These classes with parental participation will help you and the baby learn about water safety and also swimming positions for the baby.
We bought Baby K her first reusable diaper (similar one here) before our trip to Disney. She looked so cute in it.
2. Water Park
Going to the water park is so much fun with a baby. Whether it is going to a theme water park such as Great Wolf Lodge or even the free water park near your house, babies have a lot of fun at the water park.
I have taken Baby K to the water park near our house a few times and she loves it. She wants to touch the freezing water and love to watch the different water fountain go off at different times and height. We are very grateful that the one near our house is free and also is big enough for many children to play there at the same time.
If you do go to the water park, be sure to remember to bring a towel as the water can be freezing. You can wrap them up after they are done or if your arms are tired from carrying the baby at the water park (is it just me?). If you want, you can also dress them up with a swim suit there. Also, if your baby is walking, bring some shoes that can get wet and let them experience the water park from the ground and also in your arms.
I know that the fall is here and it will start to get cold, which means that the water park might not operate after a certain date. Go while you can.
3. Bath Tub
Now onto indoor water play activities, you can fill your bath tub with water and let your baby play with water toys. Recently, we got this duck baby bath tub for our upcoming travel and I filled it up with water and put her in there.
She seems to like it, I think.
If your baby is younger, you will need to hold them and support their neck. Also, you can lie them down on their back and float them around the bathtub if they like that. The only downside is that you will have to be on the ground or bending down. Do what makes you comfortable and please do not hurt your back.
4. Washroom Sink
Another type of water play activities that Baby K like is the sink. We have a shallow sink for one of our washrooms and she just loves to splash the water. She is also learning how to turn off the tap by pressing down the handle.
With the sink, you do need to have discretion of how much water you want to use for this type of play. Also, you would be carrying the baby so that they can reach the sink, so think about your back as well.
If you have a deep sink where you can sit the baby in, maybe a kitchen sink, you can put a baby bathtub or just let them sit and play water directly in there. I have no experience with that, but it is a possibility if you have such a sink and you feel comfortable with that.
5. Cups in a Box
This last water play activity that I want to try is cups in a box. Basically the idea is to have a plastic container of some type filled with water and a few cups in there. I think 1/3 or 1/4 of the container would be good enough. Then you can just take the cup, scoop up some water, and pour it back into the container.
The only concern I have with this is that Baby K also toss water outside of the container so I might need to do this in a bathtub or have a towel around her.
Do you have any more water play activities ideas that you can share? Please let me know. I would love for Baby K to explore with different options of safe water play.
Thanks for reading. If you are interested in the other baby play related posts, check these out:
- How to host a baby play date at your house
- Toys My 9 month old baby love
- 20 Budget Summer Activities You Must Try with Your Baby
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