5 Types of Water Play Equipment for Your Park

Water play equipment adds a splash of fun to your park and attracts visitors. It can help boost attendance and keep families entertained for hours at a time.

Water toys also foster an interest in science and math. Watching items float and sink, filling containers, and learning about cause and effect are just some of the lessons kids learn through water play.

1. Water Tables

For toddlers and preschoolers, water tables are a surefire way to spend hours of outdoor play. In addition to improving fine motor skills by pouring, scooping and dumping water, kids can learn about water science while playing with bubbling fountains, spinning wheels and squirting slides.

If you don’t have the space for a water table or are looking for an inexpensive alternative, Vox Media senior product manager and mom of two kindergartners Christine Short recommends filling up a shallow tub with a few inches of water and tossing in some plastic toys. Add a handful of water beads and you have an instant sensory activity that kids can’t seem to get enough of.

For more immersive outdoor play, look for a water table that includes fun accessories like working pumps or a waterfall feature. Or try a newer design like this two-sided table from Step2 that offers a mix of water and sand, with spaces for accessories on both sides. The upper section even has a waterfall effect that allows multiple children to play together.

2. Splash Pads

Splash pads are interactive water playgrounds water play equipment that offer fun for all ages and abilities. Unlike traditional water parks, they have no standing water and require less maintenance and supervision. They can be themed and provide inclusive considerations like distinct bays for different age groups and genders.

They feature ground level nozzles that spray water upward, and/or equipment water play equipment like dumping buckets or flower showers that are activated by motion sensors. Using clean city potable water, splash pads are safer than pools with little to no risk of drowning.

Adding water play to your commercial property can help you attract and retain customers. Whether you are a hotel, retail or municipal park, water play is an excellent way to increase revenue and add value to your site. Themed splash pads also increase brand loyalty and create a memorable experience for families.

3. Water Balls

A popular sensory item for florists, water beads are also fun for kids. They are round gel-like polymers that expand as they soak up water. Kids enjoy squeezing, jigging and bouncing the beads. They are non-toxic and biodegradable but should not be put in the mouth. They are a good choice for kids who have outgrown the choking risks of play dough or slime.

They have very little friction on the water and can skip, bounce and glide for a long distance. Water beads are great for encouraging science exploration, sorting and learning counting skills. They are also a great tool for exploring surface tension. Kids can test the limits of the material by pounding or squishing it to see how much pressure is needed to break the surface tension.

Combine them with a water table for even more fun or try them in a DIY water bead pit. Fill a shallow pool or large bin with water beads and add toys, containers and other items for pretend play. This is an excellent way to make a sensory experience extra special for a birthday party. Hide objects or packed sweets among the beads and have children search for them.

5. Dunk Tank

Dunk Tank is a classic attraction that is popular at school carnivals, company picnics, birthday parties and fundraiser events. This large 350-gallon tank features a see-through window to make the dunk even more fun. Just throw the ball at the target and if you hit it right, your friends will get dunked.

The dunk tank consists of a large tank of water over which a dunk seat is suspended. When a ball is thrown at the target, it makes the seat collapse and dunks whoever is sitting on the seat. It’s a great way to get back at the boss or just dunk your friend!

The dunk tank is easy to use and provides hours of safe, cool and exciting water play. It’s the perfect addition to any backyard party, block party, picnic or corporate event. Dunk tanks can also be rented for church and community events, school carnivals and even night clubs and bars.