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Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas

Let’s enjoy summer-only fun! Cool and refreshing play ideas

Last updated:2025/6/20

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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

[Ice Painting] Easy and refreshing 🍃 Perfect indoor activity for summer 🧊

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.

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Turtle’s plastic bottle bucket

[PET bottle craft] Great for water play! Turtle PET-bottle bucket [handmade toy]

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.

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sponge toy

Squeeze and have fun with water play♪ Sponge toy

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.

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plastic bottle shower

Pet Bottle Shower / Perfect for Water Play♪ [Craft] [Handmade Toy]

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.

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PET bottle water gun

[Preschool Teacher] Enjoy Water Play! How to Make a Water Squirt Gun ✨ [Nursery/Kindergarten]

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.

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