Rainy day. Puddle play. Our world is wet outside, puddly rains. A pile of wet muddy pants in the laundry room. It is a wonderful mess outside.
What sinks? What floats? Our youngest finds these wood shims and decides these make wonderful boats to float—water play is a wonderful way to make little scientific discoveries for big curiosities. He plunks pebbles in the water. They sink.
photo below taken by our 6-year-old
A toddler-engineered bridge. An applewood plank our little one declared would make a fine over-water crossing. For walking across, jumping over, and hopping on and off.
Wet water fun. And puddle-y, drippy beauty everywhere. See our puddle play ideas below.
We were about to hop in the car to go somewhere where one's pants and shoes should not be muddy. Our little one asked, "Can I jump in the puddle? It's not that wet." There are plenty of other times when lots of mud, splashes and laughter are just the thing, though. Our puddle play activities are an especially fun way to keep children occupied on rainy days. Instead of staying in from the rain go out!
1 For a bit of toddler science, play the "It sinks! It floats!" game. Do a nature scavenger hunt and gather nearby stones, leaves, twigs and bark. Toss them one at a time in the puddle. Each time call out, "Sink or float?" At first, I would call out "It sinks!" or "It floats!" until he learned what each meant. Now he can do it. And he does—whenever we pass a puddle he likes to play this game.
2 Those things you found together that float, in the "It sinks! It floats!" game above, can now be pretend boats.
3 Bring out the bath toys for more puddle play fun.
4 Read the children's picture book classic, Curious George Rides a Bike (Amazon Affiliate link)
5 Don't forget simple, old-fashioned, rain boot stomping, splish-splashing, stick swishing, and pebble tossing puddle fun too! heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®
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