Watching water move is fascinating. Playing with water is mesmerising. Even though we are in the middle of winter here in Sydney right now, from last week’s Kids’ Co-Op link up, I can clearly see many of you are enjoying a very fun Summer!

Our winter hasn’t stopped my brood’s love of water play, so here are 10 fabulous invitations to play with water.

Water Play: 10 Invitations to Play with Water

Happy playing, because #playmatters.

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	← Bubbles in a Bowl by Lessons Learnt Journal → Tried & Tested Water Play Toys by Lessons Learnt Journal
	← Waterbead Fishing by Lessons Learnt Journal → Open Ended Play with Wet Chalk by Lessons Learnt Journal
	← 10 ways to have fun with a Sprinkler by Reading Confetti → Frozen Color Mixing with Watercolors by Learn, Play, Imagine
	← Swamp Water Bin by Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails → Water Transfer with Sponge by Wildflower Ramblings
	← Water Squirter Math by Kitchen Counter Chronicles → Summer Activities for Kids by MollyMoo

Most of these ideas are from our Kids’ Co-Op. If you have a child focused post to share, be sure to come back and visit the Kids’ Co-Op link up here at Lessons Learnt Journal, (published and live here every Wednesday at 10PM CST or Thursday 2PM AEST).

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

The post Water Play: 10 Invitations to Play with Water by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
My kitchen assistant, an old baby bath tub filled with rice does well most days. The kids can be easily entertained for a substantial amount of time while I get meals together. Sometimes though, the old baby bath tub filled with rice just doesn’t cut it. It doesn’t interest the kids one bit. (I know… the nerve!)

 
I embrace the thought that a little change is as good as a holiday and let the kids play an incredibly simple water game called waterfall.

Water Game: Waterfall

Before I give you the particulars of this game, some notes of warning. You can take this game outside, or if you don’t mind playing it inside, you may get water over your bench or floor. Water play is a great kitchen activity and my kids enjoy playing this water game in our kitchen. Also, a safety note regarding the small small items (coins) used in this game. These small items may constitute a choking risk for small children and require close adult supervision.

Whenever we pass by any pond, fountain or well, there are always coins to be found in the water. This water game is a mini version of our fascination with putting coins into water.

You’ll need: coins; a small container (like a cup or bowl); water. If you’re playing this game on your kitchen bench like us, use a large baking tray to contain the water overflow. This makes cleaning up much easier.

Fill the small container almost to the brim with water. Give each child a good supply of coins. Take turns dropping a coin into the small container. (You could even make a wish with each coin drop). The game ends when someone drops in the coin that makes the water overflow.

Simple and fun to the core: my kind of play!

E: 2 years, 4 months
October 2012

The post Water Game: Waterfall by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

We are yet to bring our children to their first fishing trip. If this play experience is anything to go by, I think they will be more determined than their mother to have some nice fish for dinner.

Materials

Large tub of water (we used our old baby bath)
Water beads
Small sieve with handle
Towels to line the immediate play area if playing indoors

How We Played

When water beads are placed in water they are very hard to see.

Swish, swish, swish. Time to scoop and catch some water beads.

Using a scoop is a fine motor skill that is easily incorporated into many types of daily play. It’s great for using both hands together; and building up the strength and stability of hands, fingers, shoulders, elbows and wrists.

Water beads are as slippery as fish and E managed to grab  some with his bare hands.

Now what does a tot do with something as squishy as water beads? Squish them of course.

 Yes, if this play experience is anything to go by, I think we’ll have some nice fish for dinner.

E: 1 year, 11 months
May 2012

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From last week’s Weekly Kids Co-op, come and marvel at how these quality educators work their magic. They not only create enjoyable learning experiences; they explicitly teach new concepts. It’s simply beautiful.

Cloud in a Jar by Mama’s Little Muse

Throughout my schooling, Science was so poorly taught. It’s such a shame because Science is so interesting. I am baffled by how such an interesting subject could be taught so poorly. Carolyn from Mama’s Little Muse shows us how it could (and should) be done.

Oil & Water Colour Explosions by B.Inspired.Mama!

Another beautiful science lesson. Doesn’t the face say it all?

Fun Ways to Teach Your Child How to Spell Her Name by Playdough to Plato

I have only just discovered Playdough to Plato and it is an absolute gem. Malia from Playdough to Plato is an exceptionally talented educator and her genuine heart to give parents the skills to help their children learn to read is evident in the quality of resources available on her blog. Bookmark it, subscribe to it, like it, love it.

The Weekly Kids’ Co-op is co-hosted by over 70 (and growing) fun kids’ blogs. Add your child-focused link here and we’ll share your idea across all of our child-focused blogs. Follow us on our popular Weekly Kids Co-op Pinterest board (which has over 242,000 followers) and The Kids Co-op on Facebook.

The post Weekly Kids’ Co-op: Inspiring Educators by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.