Name Practice Water Game

Is the weather warming up where you are? Summer will be here soon and it’s the perfect time to head outside for some water games. Add some learning to your water games with this name practice activity.

Name Practice Water Game

You’ll need a few supplies before you head outside and two more once you get out there.

• Cups {same number as letters in your child’s name}
• Masking tape
• Permanent marker
• Table or ledge for the cups {the ground may also work}
• Water hose with spray nozzle

Setup and How to Play:

1. Choose an amount of cups equal to the number of letters in your child’s name. {We have a collection of plastic cups from a local pizza restaurant that seemed perfect for this activity.} 
2. Add a piece of masking tape to each cup.
3. Write one letter of your child’s name on each cup.
4. Line the cups up on a table or ledge. {Be sure to line them up in the correct order.}
5. Have your child spray the cups one letter at a time. The goal is to knock the cups over.
6. Have your child help you line the cups back up.

Talk to your child about the letters on the cup. Does he recognize what it spells? Spell the letters with him.
A-I-D-E-N spells Aiden.

Let’s knock over the cups. Spray the letter A first. What letter is next?

You may need to help your child hold the water hose and point it in the correct direction. If the cups blow over because of the wind, add some water to them. {Talk about the letters as your child fills up the cups with water.}

Line the cups back up with the help of your child. Let’s spell your name again. Which letter do we need first? It helped Aiden to see all of the letter choices. Then, he placed the cups in order himself.

More Water Games and Outside Play Ideas

• Try this simple water play with buckets, measuring cups, and funnels. There’s also over 50 more ways to play with water in this post.
• Explore density and water flow outside.
• Chalk is another outside summer favorite. Check out more than 40 ways to play with chalk outside.
• For even more water games and outside play ideas, check out my Summer Activities for Kids Pinterest board.

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This post was originally published on July 8, 2013.