Water Wonder

Share this pagePrint/Download
Age
2-5 years
Child Development
Well-being and belonging (physical activity); Language & Literacy (numeracy; counting; estimating; verbal communication)
Equipment
Two large buckets or containers
Smaller buckets or cups
Water
Physical Activity

This activity aims to develop the fundamental movement skills of locomotion (running) and coordination.

How to Play
  1. Fill a large bucket or container full of water, and place it some distance away.
  2. Give each child a small bucket or cup to scoop the water up.
  3. Tell the children that all the water needs to be taken to the other container within a time limit (be generous with the amount of time).
  4. Children fill their cups up and move the water to the empty container. See how much water they can successfully transfer from one space to the other in the time limit.

Try reading this poem with the kids with the following actions:

WET, WET, WET

Water, water everywhere, (Touch water with hands)

On my hands and in my hair. (Shake hands around, then touch hair)

Water, water, wet, wet, wet. (Make 3 little splashes – one for each “wet”)

I love to play in it – I’m not done yet! (Make “no” gesture by shaking your head side to side)

Change it up / Alternatives / Additional Options

Change it Up/Additional Options

  • Have objects that float and sink in the water container after they have transferred all the water

Adaptations

  • If a child does not like getting wet, offer an alternative option of the same game with sand or rice.
  • For children with impairments in flexibility or gross motor skills, ensure the bucket of water is placed in a location that they can access, such as on a low table to minimize the distance.
  • If you have a child with another type of disability not mentioned above, they may be able to participate in this activity without adaptations or modifications.

Adapted from MOVE.