This summer at Summer Camp it has been full of joyful water play. Each day brought a new adventure with sprinklers, mini pools, buckets filled with sponges and toys, sliding down a tarp-covered hill with soap and water, and even creating and floating our own boats. The children eagerly looked forward to these moments, and each activity became more than just fun—it was a chance for learning, growing, and discovering together.
When the children ran through the sprinkler, we could see their gross motor skills at work. They practiced coordination, balance, and body awareness as they jumped, twirled, and ran, laughing along the way. Socially, they shared the space with
friends, negotiated turns, and encouraged one another, building teamwork and friendships.
In the mini pools and buckets, children experimented with sponges and toys. They got to see how paper thin sponges, when wet turned into soft thick sponge’s. As they squeezed, poured, and splashed, they were strengthening their fine motor control and hand–eye coordination. They also explored cause-and-effect, noticing how the water would drip or spray depending on how tightly they squeezed. These simple actions built the foundation for early science and problem-solving skills.
The homemade slip-and-slide was a highlight. Children showed courage as they climbed to the top of the hill and slid down with squeals of excitement. This activity gave them a safe way to take risks, develop confidence in their bodies, and strengthen large muscles. As they waited for their turn, they practiced patience and respect for one another, showing growth in their social and emotional development.
Another favorite activity was making and floating boats, blowing them across the water with straws. The children used foil to create their own designs. Some sank quickly while others floated across the water. Through trial and error, the children engaged in scientific thinking and problem-solving. They made predictions, tested their ideas, and shared their observations with friends: “Mine went fast because it’s lighter!” Winsley said. These moments encouraged language and communication as well as cognitive development.
The grand finale of the summer was our homemade foam party. We used a large clean garbage can, stretched a towel over the top, and taped it securely. With water, soap, and a shop vac blowing air through the towel, we created mountains of foam. The children’s eyes widened with amazement as fluffy bubbles poured out. “This is so cool!” exclaimed Emma. “Look, Lisa—you look like you’re wearing white shoes!” laughed Kevin as he covered my feet with foam. Another child stacked foam high on her head and proudly announced, “Look at my hair!” Others copied. They were looking at their selves in the large window laughing at their hair styles.
This playful expe
rience not only brought joy but also sparked creativity and imagination. Children invented new hairstyles, covered their bodies, and pretended the foam was clothing, hairstyle’s, shoes and even beards. They built language skills by using descriptive words and shared their excitement with peers. The social bonds between them grew stronger as they worked together, helped one another, and laughed side by side.
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What’s Next?
To build on this wonderful summer of water play, we can:
- Introduce sink-or-float experiments with new materials to extend scientific exploration.
- Try color-mixing with foam or water, encouraging creativity and discovery.
- Set up water stations with funnels, tubes, and containers to promote problem-solving and engineering skills.
- Explore art through water painting on sidewalks or fences, adding a creative dimension to outdoor play.
- Encourage more team-based water challenges, such as sponge relays, to continue practicing cooperation and teamwork.