This is one of those beautifully simple activities that can keep little hands busy and engaged. It’s especially great for toddlers who love playing with water and exploring with their hands.
All you need to do is set up some container and give your child a sponge or two. Their mission? Transfer the water from each container to the other using only the sponge!
It’s a satisfying activity that builds hand strength, coordination, and concentration. You can easily do this outside or on a towel...
Fill a big bowl with water (add colour if you’d like).
Place an empty bowl next to it or some small ones inside it.
Set everything on a towel or tray to catch spills.
Show your child how to dip the sponge in the full bowl, squeeze it, then transfer the water to the empty bowl.
Let them repeat as much as they want. You can time it, race it, or just let them enjoy the rhythm of it as a mindful activity.
Toy wash: Drop a few toys into the water and let them “scrub” and transfer.
Measurement play: Mark water levels on a bowl and see how high they can get the water.
Rainbow sponge: Add drops of different food colouring to the sponge and watch the water change colour as they transfer.