water play ideas for babies under 12 months

5 Simple Play Ideas Using Water

(suitable for babies 6 months - 12 months as a starting age with supervision)

If you’re looking for natural resources to entertain your little one but are struggling for ideas, you might be overthinking things; sometimes the simplest ideas might entertain your little the longest! Water play is a fantastic way to engage your 6 -12 month old in sensory-rich activities that are both fun and educational and costs next to nothing to set up. At this stage of development, infants are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them; water play not only captures their interest but provides numerous benefits including enhancing gross and fine motor skills, promoting cognitive development, and fostering a sense of discovery! Here are five simple yet effective water play ideas to try with your little one this summer.

1.        Daytime Bath Play

Hot summer days or messy play may call for a midday dip – get the most out of bathtime with these handy tips.

Tutorial:

1. Fill the bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water.

2. Add a couple of small, safe plastic toys for your baby to grab and splash around with.

3. Add jugs or a few containers for pouring and to encourage your baby to use their hands

4. Sit with your baby and gently guide their hands to make splashes.

5. Talk to your baby about what’s happening, describing the feeling of the water and the sounds it makes to support their language development

Benefits:

• Enhances hand-eye coordination.

• Stimulates auditory senses with the splashing sounds.

• Provides a soothing and fun environment for exploration.

This is a fab activity for any time of year given that it can be done in the bath tub, but here's a summer twist: Instead, why not fill a little paddling pool, tuff tray or plastic tub and pop in the garden for a low-prep cooling sensory activity.

2. Water Sensory Bag

Tutorial:

1. Fill a heavy-duty zip lock bag with water and small waterproof toys or colourful beads.

2. Secure the bag tightly and reinforce the seal with strong tape.

3. Place the bag on the floor during tummy time or attach it to a highchair tray.

4. Let your baby press and poke at the bag, watching the objects move inside.

Benefits:

• Encourages fine motor skills and tactile exploration.

• Offers visual stimulation with moving objects.

• Safe way to introduce water play without getting wet.

3. Floating Toys in a Basin

Tutorial:

1. Fill a shallow basin with an inch or two of water.

2. Add lightweight toys that float, such as rubber ducks or small boats.

3. Show your baby how to touch and move the toys around the water.

4. Encourage gentle splashing and movement of the water to observe cause and effect.

Benefits:

• Teaches concepts of buoyancy and cause-and-effect.

• Engages sensory play with textures and temperatures.

• Provides a contained and easy-to-clean-up play area.

4. Water Painting

Tutorial:

1. Provide a clean surface such as a highchair tray or a piece of construction paper taped to a table. You can also do this outside on the driveway, on walls or even fences if you have older toddlers or kids that want to get involved, too!

2. Give your baby a small cup of water and a paintbrush.

3. Let your baby “paint” with water on the surface, watching the water dry and disappear.

4. Encourage them to make different strokes and patterns.

Benefits:

• Develops fine motor skills and hand strength.

• Introduces early art and creativity.

• Mess-free way to explore water play.

5. Water Pouring

Tutorial:

1. Set up a few small containers or cups of different sizes in a play tray or plastic tub filled with water. Add sequins or foil pieces to add interest; when water is moved, the sequins will move with the flow of the water.

2. Show your baby how to pour water from one container to another.

3. Let your baby try pouring themselves, helping them to grip and tip the containers.

4. Use this opportunity to introduce concepts like “empty” and “full.”

Benefits:

• Improves hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

• Introduces basic concepts of volume and measurement for later learning.

• Encourages independent play and experimentation and teaches cause and effect.

There we have it! Water play is one of the most versatile and engaging ways to support your baby’s development, offering numerous sensory experiences that are essential for growth and learning. By incorporating these simple water play ideas into your daily routine, you can provide your baby with hours of fun and educational exploration. For more low-prep play inspiration, affordable and simple baby play ideas and educational resources, check out our other posts on the Kidhood blog, where we are dedicated to helping parents foster their children's development through creative and enjoyable activities.