Parent Tot #2: Fun Water Activities for Toddlers and Parents

Throw a Toy and Get It

Have the child or a parent throw a toy into the water. The parent does their cueing, "1, 2, 3, Go!" and then pulls the child into their arms in the water, and into a front float. Do a front float to the toy and get it. Return to the wall, and repeat.

Ask the child to put their lips in the water before getting the toy. As they get more comfortable, ask them to put their whole face in the water before getting the toy.

Supported Front Floats

Hold the child with palms up, thumbs around the shoulders. Alternatively, hold the child like catching a football, with thumbs wrapped around the rib cage and fingers around the shoulder blades.

Help Reach for the Wall

Have the child stand on the parent's or instructor's knee. Help push them toward the wall. Start close so they can reach the wall by leaning. Move farther away so they have to jump as they get more comfortable. Eventually, have the swimmer put their face in first before reaching.

Buckethead / Bucket-Shoulder

Rules: You must say "Bucket-head" or "Bucket-shoulder." Start with the swimmer pouring the water on the parent or instructor's head. Ask, "Do you want a bucket-head or a bucket-shoulder?" Whatever they say, follow through.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Song

Sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" while doing a supported back float or glide. The song helps relax the child and makes the activity fun.

"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.

When this blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.

Then the traveller in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see where to go, If you did not twinkle so."

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

In the dark blue sky you keep,

And often through my curtains peep,

For you never shut your eye

Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark

Lights the traveller in the dark,

Though I know not what you are,

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Row Row Row your Boat

“Child in the water held by parent in BACK GLIDE position. Parent holding child in BACK GLIDE position.

Sing: “”Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream.””

On the “”row, row”” part, take child’s hands and do a back stroke with them, emphasizing pushing the water.

Walk backwards throughout and sway back and forth in a zig,zag motion during the “”merrily, merrily”” part.”

Treasure Hunt

Pile as many floating toys as you can on a kickboard.

Sail it out to sea together. Have a storm strike. Waves, splashing. Spread the toys around the pool.

Do supported front glides to collect toys and return to the kick board (boat).

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Child seated on the wall. Parent in the water.

Sing while touching your head and shoulders while you match lyrics.

ADVANCED: Do this in the water. Hold the child in a supported back hug, or in the saddle. Splash the water with the body part that is sung.

Parent Tot – Song – If you’re happy and you know it (Play 2x)

Can do this with child sitting on the side, or with the child in the parent’s arms.

If You're Happy and You Know It (Water Version)

Lyrics:

If you're happy and you know it, splash your hands If you're happy and you know it, splash your hands If you're happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you're happy and you know it, splash your hands If you're happy and you know it, splash your feet If you're happy and you know it, splash your feet If you're happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you're happy and you know it, splash your feet If you're happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you're happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you're happy and you know it If you're happy and you know it If you're happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you're happy and you know it, Kiss the water

Floating and Play on the Mat

Floating and play on the mat

Use the large yellow floating mats to play with toys or lay on your belly.

Kick the water while laying on belly with support.

Lay on your back and relax while singing Twinkle Twinkle. Sing Itsy Bitsy Spider.