Summer Learning with Easy, Engaging Water Play
When the weather heats up, there’s no better way to cool off and keep kids learning than with water play! Water activities aren’t just fun, they’re packed with opportunities to build fine motor skills, sensory regulation, language development, and social interaction.
Here are some playful, purposeful ways to turn hot summer days into learning adventures using just a little water and a lot of creativity.
1. Water Table Play: Sensory + Language Fun
A water table (or even a shallow bin) is a summer staple. Add scoops, cups, sponges, toy animals, or mini boats and let the learning flow.
OT Skills:
• Scooping and pouring to strengthen hand muscles
• Bilateral coordination (using both hands together)
• Sensory exploration, warm water, cold water, bubbles!
Speech Goals:
• Labeling actions: “splash,” “sink,” “float,” “pour”
• Describing textures and temperatures
• Expanding sentences: “The boat is going fast!”
Try This: Add a few drops of food coloring and play color-matching games by pouring into colored cups!
2. Squirt Bottle Target Games
Fill squirt bottles or water blasters and turn your backyard into a target zone!
OT Skills:
• Hand strengthening from squeezing bottles
• Eye-hand coordination when aiming at targets
• Postural control from squatting, reaching, and running
Speech Goals:
• Practice core words like “go,” “stop,” “more,” “my turn”
• Use action phrases: “I hit it!” or “I missed!”
• Follow directions: “Spray the blue cup,” “Find the duck”
Try This: Use sidewalk chalk to draw letters, shapes, or sight words for extra literacy fun.
3. Pouring Practice: Life Skills + Motor Control
Get out pitchers, cups, funnels, and buckets for simple yet powerful pouring play.
OT Skills:
• Precision control and coordination
• Functional daily living skills (great prep for mealtimes!)
• Grip strength and grasp refinement
Speech Goals:
• Sequencing: “First we pour, then we drink.”
• Requesting: “More water,” “I do it!”
• Problem-solving: “It spilled, what should we do?”
Try This: Set up a “lemonade stand” and let kids serve pretend drinks to friends or stuffed animals.
4. Water-Themed Vocabulary Games
Take advantage of the water theme to introduce and practice new words.
Speech Goals:
• Category building: water animals, water tools, weather words
• Positional words: “in,” “on,” “under,” “next to”
• WH questions: “What floats?”, “Where is the sponge?”, “Why is it wet?”
Try This: Make a “water word wall” with images and symbols or play “I Spy” using water-related terms.
Bonus Tips for Water Play Success:
• Keep towels handy and let kids help dry up (more OT practice!)
• Use visual supports or AAC for communication during play
• Join in the fun, kids learn best through shared experiences
• Let go of perfection, spills, splashes, and giggles are part of the process!
Final Thoughts
Water play turns ordinary summer moments into extraordinary opportunities for growth. Whether you’re strengthening fine motor skills or building language, these simple, hands-on activities make a real splash in your child’s development.
So grab a towel, head outside, and dive into fun; you’ll be surprised how much learning happens between the splashes.
Tag us in your water play fun! We love seeing your OT and speech superstars in action. #LoveAndCoTherapy #WaterPlayLearning
Love & Co. Therapeutic Interventions
referrals@loveandcompanytherapies.com
1 (941) 557-3881
1 (941) 264-8641
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