Montessori Water Play: 6 Easy Sensory Activities for Toddlers

Water play is one of the simplest and most Montessori-aligned ways to engage your toddler’s senses while building fine motor skills and independence. Bonus: it’s also a perfect activity for warm summer days!

According to the Montessori method, sensory activities should be purposeful, hands-on, and rooted in real-world experiences. Water checks all the boxes: it's calming, endlessly fascinating, and naturally encourages concentration and coordination.

Here are six easy Montessori-style water activities for toddlers:

1. Pouring Practice: Offer two small pitchers (one filled with water) and let your child pour back and forth. Great for motor control!

2. Scooping and Transferring: Use cups, ladles, or spoons to move water between bowls or containers.

3. Washing Vegetables: Give your toddler a bowl of water and soft produce to rinse. It’s real work they can do.

4. Floating and Sinking: Test natural items (leaves, stones, sticks) to learn early science concepts.

5. Sponge Transfer: Have your child soak up water with a sponge and squeeze it into another bowl. Excellent for strengthening hands!

6. Window Washing: Give a spray bottle and cloth (with water only) and let them “clean.” It’s practical life disguised as fun.

Always supervise closely, even with small amounts of water. A toddler tower like The Perch can bring your child safely to sink height for many of these activities.

Water play is more than a way to stay cool—it’s a meaningful, sensory-rich learning experience, Montessori-style.