Comments on: The Easy Way to Add Running Water to your Backyard Play Space

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 14:22:35 +0000

In reply to Cathy. Yay! I'm so glad you came across this post!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 16:06:12 +0000

Oh, this is TOTALLY going to happen! I have two camping jugs in the garage! Thank you for the suggestion!!!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 16:30:22 +0000

In reply to Line. Love your idea!

By: Line

Line — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 12:53:22 +0000

that’s a great idea. however, in my classroom, I use an empty laundry detergent container (you know the large one with the spout) with a basin underneath. it’s great for washing hands and paint brushes, etc. the only thing is they can’s drink that water.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:29:21 +0000

In reply to Melissa. Brilliant!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 08:51:58 +0000

I used a Costco laundry detergent bottle that was empty for our backyard play water. Its alao great for refilling squirt guns which are always empty and usually need mom to refill frequently. The perk of the soap container is it has a push button instead of a lever! Great post!

By: Trisha

Trisha — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 19:50:14 +0000

I’m glad I have others to be “resourceful thinkers” for me. It never even dawned on me to do this. This is great…thanks!

By: Viviana

Viviana — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:23:26 +0000

I have always used well washed laundry bottles full of water in stock for emergencies. But never thought of useing them as a water play resource! This coud be a good combo with water table 🙂

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:39:51 +0000

In reply to Marcy.

I think it’s a super idea as long as it’s well washed – maybe give it a rinse with some hot vinegar water after you’re sure all the soap is gone. It will help to get rid of any residue.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:51:59 +0000

What are your thoughts about using a laundry detergent bottle with a push button spigot that has been thoroughly cleaned out? We have access to water on our playground, but our hose does not stay out all the time. This would be a great way to give sandy hands a rinse.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 05:47:07 +0000

In reply to Pixie. Well, that is just a brilliant suggestion, Pixie! Thank you! One of my best friends is married to a vet. I'm going to check with him!

By: Pixie

Pixie — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:38:59 +0000

My mother works as a vet nurse. Vet clinics that do surgeries can go through barrels of distilled water once a week or less. As a consequence I was able to source an easy half dozen or more -clean- 20L water barrels for water play all year ’round. As the toddlers and babies would often struggle with the tap I could set it on the tiniest trickle which would minimise water waste and create this beautiful calm aesthetic.

The first time I put a water barrel out in the sandpit there was a cluster of about 8 preschoolers and toddlers around it, carefully filling containers and waiting turns with -zero- conflict. When our director had the barrels put away after a parent complaint about water play over winter (this made me rather angry as it was a poorly informed and weak choice) my mud pie kitchen went from having most children spending 20minutes + (often up to an hour) in that playspace with water, to having maybe 3 children spend 10 minutes in it without water.

So check at vet clinics and hospitals and dental surgeries. They’re bound to have clean barrels they’d otherwise just throw. And that’s absolutely free.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:13:24 +0000

I got out our camping water carrier today and my daughter was very pleased, I couldn’t believe how quick she emptied it though! Mainly on the floor “watering the plants” (grass)!