Unsupervised play promotes creativity in children, but outdoor structured play that is fun and hands on can have the same effect. Crafting is a great way to get kids involved using their imagination and seeing a finished product. The beauty of water crafts kids can do outside is…
- if it gets messy, it’s easy to cleanup;
- you and your kids will have great memories;
- you are still promoting summer learning; and
- it’s just plain fun!
Water Crafting Activities
What would summer be like without water? Water activities can be incredibly fun, whether it’s running through the sprinkler, squirting each other with water guns, or throwing water balloons. There are plenty of crafts that can be done with water and a little creativity.
Create a Painting
For this activity you will need,
- Cardboard box
- Large, thin white paper
- Several different colors of food coloring.
- As many water guns as needed for each color used.
Cut the cardboard box to mount the white paper to. Fill the water guns with water and at least 6-8 drops of food coloring. This will enhance the colors so that they appear more vibrant. Have the kids stand about a foot away to make sure they can hit the paper. Let them create anything they want or create a theme.
Water Balloon Art
For this activity you will need:
- Large white paper
- Food coloring
- Water Balloons
After you have filled the balloons with food coloring, have the kids fill the water balloons with varying amounts of water. Have the kids drop the balloons from different heights to give their artwork a unique look.
Nature Crafts
Use articles from nature to help with crafting ideas. Sticks are great to use when crafting.
Build a maze out of sticks. Have the kids gather a bunch of sticks and put them in one place. Have the kids design how they want the maze to look on paper, and then have them create. It can be laid flat on the ground and be as big or small as they choose.
Another great use for the sticks is to create wind chimes. Purchase some inexpensive twine, acrylic paints, small metal eyelets, and disposable paint brushes. Allow the kids to pick the lengths and colors they want to use. Paint the sticks and, after they dry, screw the eyelets into the end and tie a piece of twine and hang from another piece of wood or any place that is appropriate.
Sticks are not the only find from nature that can be used. Rocks can be painted and used as checker pieces. Lay out a checkerboard using any extra sticks that were collected for the previous craft ideas. Paint the checker pieces in any design that the kids choose as long as they are one design for each player.
Not only could you use rocks for checker pieces, but you could use them to create Tic Tac Toe pieces.
A Tinfoil River
Grab some tinfoil and take it outside too. Have the kids create a tinfoil river. The kids piece together the tinfoil so water will not leak out. The river can have turns, waterfalls, and be as long as they would like. Once assembled, pour water at the beginning and watch it turn into a river all the way to the end.
Do you know any more water crafts for kids and summer?
Author: Pam Crum., Lead Teacher at A Grade Ahead
