With summer quickly approaching it is just a matter of time before we find ourselves spending more time outside. While I love summer time and all the outside play it brings, keeping toddlers cool in the summer sun is important. Outdoor water toys are a great way to keep your toddler busy this summer by offering endless hours of backyard play!
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Outdoor Water Toys for 3 Year Old’s
Outside water play for toddlers is a great way to pass those summer days by and can be something fun for everyone. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, and many toys you can find already in your home. I have compiled a list of some of our favorite backyard water toys to keep your toddler busy and cool this summer!
#1 Water Table
Water tables are the perfect outdoor water toy that offers sensory play for toddlers. It amazes me how many hours my toddler can spend playing in a water table. Water play is so good for toddlers and the water table makes an easy backyard water toy for the days you don’t want to get the pool and sprinkler out. It offers just enough water play for your toddler to stay cool, but not too much to have to clean up before you go inside.
Fun tip: try adding bubbles to the water table for extra fun!
#2 Toys for water table
When you think water table toys, think bath toys! You don’t need anything big to make water play fun, keep it simple! Small water toys such as boats, rubber ducks, small fishing sets, and fish are perfect. Toddlers love to pour water in containers, so be sure to grab a few scoops, funnels, and buckets too! This is really good for toddler development!
#3 Bubble MachineÂ
Bubble machines offer hours of play for kids of all ages. While bubble machines aren’t necessarily water toys, they are perfect to accompany backyard water toys and only add to the fun!
I spent some extra money on this bubble machine, and it was totally worth it! My 7 yo, 5 yo, and 3 yo love playing with the bubbles and it’s always a big hit with friends when we have a playdate. Before I bought this bubble machine, the ones I bought would die after 1 or 2 uses.
Bubble Play: If you’re looking for more ways to have fun with bubbles this summer, check out this post with 10 Bubble Activities for Toddlers
#4 Toddler splash pad
Bring the fun of a playground splash pad to your very own backyard! Toddler splash pads are the perfect outdoor water toy to change things up. They are also a fun addition to any summer parties or backyard BBQ’s you might be hosting. Toddlers and big kids are sure to love the splash pads!
#5 Toddler sprinkler
When I think back to my childhood summers, I am pretty sure you can sum it up with a backyard sprinkler. So many summer days were spent in the sprinkler and the memories made were priceless. There is something about the joy that children have running through a sprinkler that just can’t be measured! You can find some sprinklers that move and spin making it extra fun for kids too!
#6 Melissa and Doug Sprinkler
Melissa and Doug sprinklers are bright and colorful making it super kid friendly! Something about a fun looking sprinkler just makes it extra exciting for kids. My kids can spend all day running back and forth through a sprinkler! It never gets old listening to them squeal each time the water catches them.
#7 Toddler Pool
A small wading pool in your backyard is perfect to introduce your toddler to water play and get them comfortable in a pool. Toddlers love to splash and play in water and a small pool is such a fun way for them to play and stay cool. I have a small wading pool with just enough water for my toddler to enjoy, and a larger one for the older kids to swim around in. A backyard pool is even nice for mom to stick her feet in and stay cool too.
#8 Backyard slides for toddlers
One of my kids favorite things to do is add a small slide to their pool. They love being able to slide down and splash into the water and they never seem to get tired of it. Adding a small slide to your toddler pool is one of the best decisions you can make! You pretty much are making a free water park in your back yard which makes you the best parent ever!
#9 Best water gun for toddlers
There are so many different choices when it comes to water guns for toddlers. The shooter water guns happen to be one of my favorites. They are easy to fill up, easy to use, and are good for any age. Just be prepared to get soaked if you’re within reach!
#10 Sprinkle and Splash Play-mat
This sprinkle and splash play-mat is perfect for younger toddlers who aren’t quite confident in the water yet. These play-mats offer a carefree way for your littlest toddler to enjoy fun in the water, while still offering enjoyment for older kids too! Because my two year old tends to be a little timid in the pool with his older siblings, the play-mat near by lets him have fun where he is confident!
Backyard water toys are a great way to keep toddlers busy! Most water toys you can find very inexpensive. Before you know it, you will have plenty fun toys for kids to enjoy summer to its fullest!
