The weather has been hot, hot, hot this summer. We are always looking for fun ways to keep cool outside. We don’t want to simply hide away inside when the weather turns hot…instead we want to find ways to safely enjoy ourselves and might as well squeeze in some summer learning too. That’s what makes this a great summer STEM activity for the kids!
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There are plenty of ways to play with water and keep cool…even if you don’t have a pool. On a hot summer day, the kids can get pretty tired and sweaty. So, we created a super silly water squirter math game to play in the backyard. I love finding ways to combine playing, learning and getting outdoors.
This game is totally flexible and can be made more challenging for older kids. Simply increase the difficulty in the math questions being asked. Grab the spray bottles and get ready to have some fun!
Water Squirter Math Game for Kids
6 toilet paper rolls
clear packing tape
colourful markers
water squirters/spray bottles and water
table
scrap paper or chalk
First, collect and decorate 6 toilet paper rolls for each participant…you could totally use more toilet paper rolls, depending on how many questions you want to ask. The kids can decorate the roll however they like. This is just a little creative crafting part of the game. After the paper rolls are decorated it’s time to wrap the rolls with clear packing tape….this will make the rolls waterproof.
Next, line up the rolls on a couple of outdoor tables and fill the water squirters. We use water sprayers that are typically used to mist plants. When you adjust the sprayer, they shoot a straight stream of water…I’m not a huge fan of water guns. A good tip when you’re working with water squirters is to label them. Labelling the sprayers means the bottles are only used for water – no one adds anything else to the bottles. Better safe than sorry.
How do you play the water squirter math game?
The kids take turns answering simple math questions, that you ask them. I asked my eldest daughter multiplication questions and my younger daughter addition questions.
For instance,
2 x 3 = 6
14 + 9 = 23
If the girls answered correctly, they’d win a point and try and spray down one of their own toilet paper rolls. If they answered incorrectly, their opponent could spray them. The first one to knock over all of their toilet paper rolls wins the game. Get the answer correct = score a point. Get the answer incorrect = get sprayed!
Let the kids work the answers out on an outdoor chalkboard…you could have scrap paper available or let them use sidewalk chalk to work out the answers.
In the end, the game might digress into a full-on water fight… which is always a great way to stay cool and have some fun. The kids will be looking forward to giving this game a try again and again…all summer long. 
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Looks like a perfect way to cool off.
That looks great fun. Thanks for linking up to our Parenting Pin-it Party.
A perfect example of how to make learning fun! Don’t forget to link back at Country Kids
Thanks so much for sharing this at Stress-Free Sunday last week. I know my son would LOVE your water squirter math game! In fact, it’s on our list of things to try before summer is over. I’m featuring this post today! 🙂
I cannot even tell you how much my son would enjoy this! Thank you for coming up (and sharing) with such a great way to enjoy the summer sun while keeping math skills sharp! I’m featuring this tomorrow at the After School Linky Party. Stop by to check it out and share more of your amazing ideas!
Thanks so much. It really is a lot of fun! I’ll be sure to stop by.
Thanks for featuring our hopscotch! The kids are loving it….they’ve been out there every day!
Love the water squirter math game (and the water fight afterwards). Just lovely! Thank you for sharing it at the Kids CoOp. So thrilled to be featuring this post as part of invitations to play with water roundup. xo Pauline
Love it, we have plenty of spray bottles and I like how you got a bit of learning in their too.