There has been a new appreciation for getting outside and getting active in the last year. Similarly, many of us have reignited the joy and gratitude that comes from spending quality time with our loved ones. Nevertheless, we are all dreaming about holidays and outdoor activities, so it is the perfect time to start planning family fun activities with water. Read on for some age-appropriate ways to get you and your kids active, engaged, and off their electronics.
Babies and preschoolers
Almost all kids love water, and this innate quality is all the more apparent when playing with babies and toddlers. You’ll be amazed how much time can be spent playing with different water-based activities; just be sure to slather on the sunscreen before you get started. Purchasing an inflatable baby pool will give you hours of fun, and it can be used indoors throughout the year to keep toys in one place.
Here are some of our favorite activities that little ones, which even older siblings, will love to do:
Pouring games – This is a free activity that never seems to get old. Grab your plastic measuring cups, scoops, jugs, bits of clean pipe, and the like and let the children pour away. Show them how to do this from different heights or from one container to the next. Tea strainers or colanders are also great for showing them the properties of water.
Mixing colors – Older toddlers will love experimenting with different colors and start their STEM education off with primary colors. Make colored ice cubes in advance for a hot day, and kids will can see the patterns develop as they melt.
Create a car wash – Kid friendly soap and sponges can be made into your very own car wash. Grab all of your kids’ washable trucks and cars and let them wash away. The bonus is that kids often come out cleaner than how they started!
Older kids
As your kids get older, two things are inevitable: they will want to eat all the time and they will want to undertake more adventurous activities.
Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) – This is one of those activities that has taken off in the last decade since it is a low-intensity workout that a variety of people can enjoy. Often, families have younger children on parents’ boards as teenagers venture on their own
Kayaking – Whether you live close to a river, lake, pond, or the ocean, kayaking can be an excellent outdoor activity for the whole family. Kids from about eight years of age can generally maneuver their own paddle; however, we still recommend double kayaks so that kids can be paired with an adult until they are teenagers.
Wakeboarding – Combining the elements of snowboarding, water skiing, and surfing, nothing looks cooler to do in the summer than wakeboarding. Teenagers will want the best wakeboard equipment and gear, and there are lots of camps available where they can improve their skills, learn water safety, and meet like-minded kids.
Creating family memories is what being on the water is all about, but getting fit and enjoying nature is undoubtedly a bonus. Teach your kids about water safety and how to swim from an early age, so they will have a lifetime of enjoyment whichever activity they choose.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
