Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas
In the hot summer, many teachers are surely thinking, “I want to have fun with the children through cool activities!” So here are some ideas to enjoy summer-specific play.
There are classics like water gun games to enjoy with friends, as well as sensory play using mud, foam, and ice.
Hands-on experiences nurture children’s curiosity, so these are highly recommended.
There are also activities children love—like bath bombs and slime—that can be done both outdoors and indoors, so be sure to incorporate them into your childcare.
Stimulate the children’s five senses and enjoy the summer to the fullest!
Let's enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas (1–10)
Ice Paint
Let’s enjoy a cool activity: Ice Painting.
Simply put, you draw on ice using paint.
We usually draw on paper or cardstock, so this offers a fresh and fun sensation.
Make a large block of ice and treat it like a canvas.
From there, add colors with your favorite paints.
Watch how the melting ice blends the colors and how the colored water flows.
If you rinse the ice with water, the paint washes off cleanly, so you can enjoy drawing on it again and again.
Turtle’s plastic bottle bucket
Here’s an idea for a turtle-themed bucket made from a plastic bottle that kids can use to fill with water or scoop and play.
First, cut off the bottle’s mouth and protect the cut edge with tape.
Design a turtle on the side of the bottle using tape, then draw the face with a permanent marker.
Punch holes on both sides of the bottle’s rim, thread through suzuran tape (polypropylene ribbon) that has a 2 cm-wide piece of straw cut and slipped over it, and attach it as a handle to finish.
Using straws in several colors makes it bright and cute.
sponge toy
Introducing jellyfish and fish toys made from sponges that are perfect for water play.
Sponge toys are a big hit with kids because they can soak up water and be squeezed for fun! Give it a try.
Prepare two mesh sponges.
Cut the net of one sponge and remove the sponge inside.
Cut the sponge into a jellyfish shape and make a hole in the center.
Thread a string through the top of the net to make a loop, pass the loop through the hole in the sponge, then cut the net to create the tentacles.
For the other sponge, cut it into a fish shape, tie a rubber band between the body and the tail fin, and draw patterns with a pen.
plastic bottle shower
Kids love playing in the shower, don’t they? Here’s a simple shower toy you can make using a plastic bottle.
Cut off the bottle’s neck and cover the edge with tape to prevent injuries.
Puncture holes on both sides of the rim and thread a vinyl string through them to make a handle, then make about 5–6 holes in the bottom.
Decorate the bottle with vinyl tape to make it cute, and you’re done! When you scoop up water, it will pour out through the holes like a shower.
PET bottle water gun
Let’s make a water gun that will be a big hit for water play using recycled materials! First, make a hole in a plastic bottle cap just big enough for a straw to fit through.
Cut the straw to the right length, insert it into the cap, then fill the bottle with water and close the cap.
It’s simple, but your water gun is now complete! Since you’ll squeeze and release the sides of the bottle to squirt the water, be sure to use a soft plastic bottle.
Decorate it to make it cute by drawing pictures with a permanent marker or adding vinyl tape and other embellishments.
Beat the summer heat! 3 fun ice play ideas
Here are three ice play ideas.
First, freeze some watered-down paint and use it to draw pictures.
Second, freeze marbles inside ice and try to get the marbles out.
Third, melt a large block of ice mixed with paint.
They’re all simple, so please give them a try.
Drawing with ice feels different from usual and is a lot of fun.
For the marbles, try melting the ice by pouring water on it or rubbing it with your hands to add warmth.
For the last activity, make blocks in various colors so you can also enjoy playing with colored water.
Water-play PET bottle toy
Let’s try making some DIY toys for water play.
Here are three types: a scoop and watering can, magic juice, and glitter juice.
For the scoop, cut a plastic bottle in half, punch holes along the rim of the bottom half to thread a string through, then stack another bottle piece upside down (with the mouth facing down) on top to finish.
For the watering can, cut a rectangular opening in a plastic bottle and make several small holes on the opposite side for the water to flow out.
Magic juice is made by filling a small plastic bottle with water, dabbing some paint on the inside of the bottle’s mouth, then sealing and shaking it so the color changes.
Glitter juice is made by putting water, liquid laundry starch (or clear glue), and sequins or beads into a plastic bottle; flip the bottle upside down and back to enjoy the movement of the liquid inside.
Goldfish scooping toy
Goldfish scooping, a classic at summer festival stalls, is actually easy to make and enjoy at home! Cut a milk carton into a long strip to form a ring, attach a handle made from another piece of the carton, stretch a drain net over it, and secure it with vinyl tape to make a poi (scooper).
Next, draw fish on a milk carton, cut them out, and make your goldfish.
You can also cut goldfish from construction paper and laminate them between layers of OPP tape.
Float the goldfish in water and scoop them up with the poi.
Since the poi won’t tear, even small children can enjoy it.
Colorful ice play with pom-poms
Have fun without using colored water! Here’s a colorful ice play idea using pom-poms.
It’s easy to try because you can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.
This time, let’s use a round ice tray and colorful decorative balls to enjoy some cool, playful ice activities.
Just put the decorative balls and water into the round ice tray, freeze it, and you’re done! You can play by touching the ice as is, or enjoy watching it melt in the bath.
Try out different ways to play.
Easy colored-water play at home
No paints or food coloring needed! Here are some easy ideas for colored-water play you can try at home.
When your child asks to “play with colored water,” you might not have paints or food coloring on hand.
This time, let’s try a simple colored-water activity using washable markers! You’ll need water, washable markers, copy paper cut into strips, and plastic cups.
Color the paper strips with the washable markers, then gently swish the paper in a plastic cup filled with water—the color will transfer into the water!