Myth 2: Kids Shouldn't Get Wet
Last month we extolled the virtues of sand play. Sand gets a bad rap, but at Living Playgrounds we believe in the infinite possibilities of this malleable and natural resource. What do we love more than sand? Sand and water together! Picture the endless runs a child makes to the ocean, lake, faucet or hose to scoop up water for building or just to fill buckets. Here are five things we are talking about these days when it comes to water play.
Water play doesn’t need to happen only in the summer.
In some parts of the country, play spaces that incorporate both sand and water can be year-round wonderlands for young children. Even if water does freeze in the winter, the new properties of the "water" can provide countless interesting experiences for the children.
Water play doesn’t need to be confined to the sandbox.
A Water Table or an intentional landscape design lets children watch how water cascades. Children especially love to experiment with starting and stopping water and using materials that are provided to dam up the water or finding things in nature or on the playground to do the job.
Water doesn’t have to come from the ocean. Or a hose.
Young children love pumping water. There is something about bringing up water from the ground that feels mystical and magical. Where did that water come from? It wasn’t there before and with a little effort (or a lot) it’s suddenly there. Once they have mastered the skill, watch it become a communal activity as one child teaches the next how to “find” the water.
Water play doesn't need to be wasteful.
Water is precious. Like sand, water is a natural resource and we want our children to know where it comes from - and how we can use it responsibly. We love including rain chains, rain gardens, and cisterns in our play spaces to introduce this concept at an early age. These devices are practical but also beautiful.
Water play doesn’t need to be expensive.
Yes, there are some expensive gizmos and gadgets out there but water play doesn’t need to be expensive. Take a look at the examples on the next page. Or just let the children splash in the puddles for endless entertainment.
Kids love playing in water, so let them. Besides, we have it on good authority that they won't melt!