[Childcare] 13 ideas for fun in the pool! From warm-up exercises to crafts

[Craft Toy] Milk Carton Waterwheel

Milk Carton Craft | Water Play with a Spinning Waterwheel

Let’s try making a waterwheel powered by the force of water using a milk carton.

Use the milk carton mainly as the base, and create the rotating part of the waterwheel from offcuts.

Once the rotating part is complete, insert a bamboo skewer through it and attach it to the milk carton base to finish the waterwheel’s form.

If you add paper plates with drawings to both ends of the bamboo skewer, you’ll have a bright and cute waterwheel.

When it’s ready, pour water over the rotating part from above, and the waterwheel and the decorative paper plates will spin.

Have the teacher handle the cutting of the parts, and let the children assemble the pieces and do the decorations.

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[Craft Toy] Paper Carton Bucket

[Recommended by Nursery Teachers] Handmade Toy Ideas (Water Play Edition)

Let’s make a paper carton bucket that you can fill with water and play with.

Cut a paper carton to about half its height and add a handle to finish.

Use materials that can get wet, like vinyl tape, to decorate it.

If the children aren’t yet comfortable using scissors, it’s recommended that the teacher handles the cutting to form the bucket shape in advance.

During pool time, try filling it with water to pour over themselves, or have the kids splash each other and play together!

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sponge ball

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Four Types of Handmade Water-Play Toys! [How to Make Them & Objectives]

Let’s make and play with sponge balls that are light, soft, and float on water—perfect for kids to enjoy safely! Instead of water guns, you can soak them with water and toss them at each other, or try a treasure hunt by searching for sponge balls underwater.

To make them, simply cut store-bought sponges into long strips and tie them together with string.

It’s a good idea to prepare sponges in various colors.

Have the teacher handle the cutting step, and let the children choose color combinations and tie the pieces together.

Handmade toys create a sense of attachment, making playtime even more fun!

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[Make It a Toy, Too] Handmade Boat from a Milk Carton

[Craft Play] A milk carton boat you can enjoy at the pool or waterside♪

Let’s make boats out of milk cartons and try floating them in the pool! Milk cartons are made of paper, but they’re water-resistant, so you can safely use them as toys in the pool.

First, cut the milk carton into the shape of a boat and decorate it with vinyl tape or similar materials.

If you want to put something inside, secure it with tape so it doesn’t fall out.

Adding a propulsion part will let the boat move on its own, so feel free to include one if you like.

Adjust the tasks according to the children’s ages—for example, from cutting the carton into a boat shape to only doing the decoration.

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[Kindergarten senior] Jumping-in play

Pool play for the oldest kindergarteners

Let’s have the older class try diving into the pool! Diving can be a bit scary and carries some risks, but if you do it with full attention to safety around you, it can be a refreshing experience.

Many pools outside of nurseries and kindergartens prohibit diving, so be sure to teach the importance of following the rules.

If you jump in and enter feet first, your feet will quickly touch the bottom of the pool, which is reassuring.

Before diving, make sure to check that no friends are swimming nearby, then go ahead and dive.

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playing laundry (pretend laundry)

Daycare: We played in the water! Fun pretend play “Laundry Play.” English-based childcare, Joto, Matsuyama.

Let’s try helping with water-based chores, not just playing! Fill a large tub or bucket with water and scrub towels or other items you usually use.

Skip detergent, as it can cause skin irritation in children—use only water.

Once they’re clean, wring them out tightly with both hands and clip them with clothespins to dry.

You might not often hand-wash laundry at home, but this can be a good opportunity for kids to learn the basic steps of how laundry is done.

And don’t forget to fold everything neatly and put it away once it’s dry.

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Eurhythmics with Water Play

[Summer Eurhythmics: Water Play de Eurhythmics] Scarf play, hoop play, pretend play—let’s enjoy classic summer water play with the children! ✨ Parent–child eurhythmics, rhythm play

Let’s have fun with expressions that feel like playing with water using props! Here are some ideas for “Rhythmic Water Play.” Eurythmics is a music education method that develops expressive skills by moving the body to music.

The charm isn’t just in moving to the music—it’s also in using items to express yourself.

This time, let’s try creating the feeling of water play indoors by using things like hula hoops and organza.

Through pretend play, children might notice subtle nuances within everyday movements.