Summer is a magical time filled with sunshine, warm evenings, and countless adventures with our little ones. However, we understand the challenge of keeping kids entertained throughout the season. To ensure you and your children have a memorable summer, we've handpicked five exciting water activities that will not only captivate their imaginations but also help beat the heat. From creating musical water xylophones to playing water darts with sponges, these activities are guaranteed to keep them cool and entertained all summer long. Take a look at our curated list below, and don't forget to slip into your HAPARI swimsuit before heading outdoors with your kids. Let the summer fun begin!

5. Water STEM Activity: Rainbow Water Xylophone

Let's kick off with an exciting project: creating a rainbow water xylophone! This engaging STEM activity brings together the wonders of science, math, art, and music, making it perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged kids. The best part? You can easily craft this colorful instrument using everyday materials found right in your own home. Get ready to embark on a creative journey that will delight your little ones while nurturing their curiosity and imagination. Let's dive in and discover the joy of making a rainbow water xylophone with items at your fingertips!

What you’ll need:

• 6 glass cups
• 1 pack of red, blue, and yellow coloring
• Water
• Measuring cups
• Stick

Directions:
To make your rainbow Xylophone, start by having your child fill each of the 6 cups with varying amounts of water. Use the measuring cups to help differentiate the amount poured in each cup. Next, add 1-2 drops of food coloring to each cup. Start by doing the red, blue, and yellow drops individually. Then use those primary colors to mix together to create the other colors of the rainbow like green, orange, yellow, pink and purple! Mix each jar with your stick and that’s it! Let your kid experiment softly hitting the side of each jar with the stick to hear the different tones and pitches made with the different amounts of water in each one.

4. Elementary and Middle Schooler Activity: Stick Raft Building Contest

Now, let's move on to an exciting event at the {insert your family's name} house—the highly anticipated inaugural raft building contest! This thrilling activity is not only a great way to bond as a family but can also become a cherished summer tradition. Gather your elementary and middle school-aged kids as they put their skills and dexterity to the test to construct their very own rafts. The goal? To see whose creation can withstand the waters the longest. Get ready for some friendly competition and a lot of splashing as you embark on this unforgettable adventure together.

What you’ll need:

• Sticks (either buy a pack of popsicle sticks or have the kids gather their own to amp up the competition)
• Scissors
• Glue
• String
• Paper

Directions:
The directions for this craft are pretty simple—show your kids the tools they have to build their raft (sticks, scissors, glue, string, etc), then give them a time limit and then start the competition! Let them know that after the time limit ends, each raft will be raced to see which one makes it to a certain point or the farthest. Find a nearby river or creek to race your rafts, or if you don’t have one nearby a bathtub or plastic bin will work too!

Image courtesy: https://www.beafunmum.com/2015/03/stick-raft-boats/

3. PVC Water Pipe Channels

Up next, we have a fascinating DIY project: creating water pipe channels using cut-up PVC pipes and connectors. This engaging activity pays homage to the fun of building blocks with the creativity of Legos, allowing kids to construct and experiment with their very own water draining system. Perfect for elementary-aged children, this hands-on experience offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the physics of water movement. They'll discover how to keep the water flowing, redirect its path, control its speed, and unravel the secrets behind its captivating motion. Get ready for a thrilling and educational adventure that will leave your little ones with a deeper understanding of the wonders of water while providing endless fun along the way.

What you’ll need:

• 2-3 PVC pipes cut to various lengths
• PVC pipe connectors
• Kitchen funnels
• Pipes/tubes
• Water (hose or via a water bottle)

Directions:
Show the materials to your kiddos and explain the goal to make their own water pipe system. Show them how to connect pieces together and create different pathways for the water to go. Once they have a solid pipe system created, let them experiment pouring water into the pipes and seeing where the water goes.

Image courtesy: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/pvc-pipe-heart-engineering-project-kids/

2. Water Balloon Golf 

Are you and your partner avid golfers who enjoy playing in the summer? Why not involve your kids and introduce them to the joys of swinging a club with a unique twist on the classic water balloon activity? Say hello to Water Balloon Golf—an exciting game where water balloons replace traditional golf balls, resulting in satisfying explosions with each swing. This delightful activity provides a safe and entertaining way for older elementary and middle school kids to learn the fundamentals of golf during the summer. Guide them in mastering the proper swing technique, honing control, and generating enough power to make the water balloons burst with excitement. Get ready for a splashingly fun experience that combines skill-building with exhilarating moments on the "course"!

What you’ll need:

• A pack of water balloons
• Water
• Golf club(s)
  

Directions:
Set the water balloons on the ground like a golf ball, then have your kids practice swinging and hitting the water balloons. Try different clubs or angles to get the balloons to explode. Or, see how far they can hit the water balloon before it lands and pops!

1. Sponge Dart Game

Our final game is a delightful twist on darts that guarantees loads of fun. This unique version involves using sponges and chalk to challenge each other in hitting the bullseye and racking up the highest score. Perfect for the entire family, this game is enjoyed by kids of all ages, from preschoolers to elementary and middle schoolers. The best part is its simplicity—minimal setup is required. Just grab some chalk, draw a dartboard on the sidewalk or pavement, moisten your sponges, and you're all set to embark on a thrilling round of sponge darts. Get ready to test your aim, unleash your competitive spirit, and create cherished memories together. Let the laughter and friendly competition commence!

What you’ll need:

• Different colored sponges (grab some from the dollar store)
• A bucket of water
• Chalk

Directions:
Start by drawing different sized circles with the chalk on the ground, making a dart board. Then add in points to each circle with the smallest circle having the most points and the biggest circle having the least amount of points. Then let each kid have a sponge. Dunk it in water and then see who can throw their sponge into the circles to get bullseye and the most points!

Image courtesy: https://www.wcccwellesley.org/asp/play-a-fun-sponge-bullseye-game/

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