Your kitchen sink can become a wonderful creative play area for your curious toddler.
Toddlers love playing in the water but often the only chance they get to do that is during bath time. You can add a new element of fun to your day by allowing your toddler to get into a little clean fun at the kitchen sink. Clean up is relatively easy because even if they do get the water everywhere, it is only water. You do not need expensive toys or equipment to create a fun water play environment. Simple kitchen tools and some creativity are all your toddler needs.
What You Need
A kitchen sink full of water
A small sturdy stool for your toddler to stand on
Optional Supplies
A few cups
Measuring cups
Plastic spoons
A whisk
Non-toxic dish soap
Small bowls
Waterproof plastic toys
What To Do
Help your toddler climb up on a sturdy stool so that they can easily reach the sink. You may want to place a dishtowel on the stool to prevent slipping if your toddler splashes water on the stool. Use a tiny bit of water to dampen the towel so it won’t slide around on the stood.
Fill the kitchen sink with clean water. Be sure that you have washed any chemicals from your sink that may have left a residue. Give your toddler a collection of plastic kitchen tools such as small cups, bowls, plastic spoons and other fun kitchen utensils. Measuring cups are fun for toddlers to pour water out of. If you want to, add a few drops of non-toxic dish soap to the water to create some bubbles. Be sure that whatever soap you choose will not irritate your toddler’s skin. Toddlers with eczema should stick with playing in the clean water to prevent a flair up. A small wisk is fun for toddlers to play with in the soapy water. Show your toddler how a slight movement of their hand can help to create many more bubbles.
Small, waterproof plastic toys or bath toys are fun for your toddler to add to their water play activity. Be creative when choosing water toys for your toddler to play with.
Toddler Science
You can easily turn your toddler’s water play into an educational activity by helping them learn how different objects react to water. Give your toddler an empty paper towel roll and let them experiment with what happens when they put it in the water. Make sure you supervise this experiment well, especially if you have a toddler who likes to put things in their mouth.
Give your toddler a small amount of sugar and salt and let them see what happens when they pour it into the water.
Your toddler will love the sensory experience they get during creative water play. This simple activity will create many wonderful memories for you and your toddler and is easy to set up and clean.
