8mo–20mo10 minBath timeFree playFamily time
Splash & Measure Pour Play
A supervised water-play mini-experiment using household containers to explore full/empty, more/less, and how different shapes hold different amounts—through simple talk, pausing, and playful repetition.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a shallow basin/bowl or sink with a small amount of water
- 3 containers of different sizes/shapes (e.g., cup, small bowl, plastic bottle, measuring cup)
- a spoon or small scoop
- a towel (for hands and spills)
Nice to have
- a waterproof mat or extra towel under the basin
- a plastic ladle or small jug
- a couple of floating bath toys
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneEnjoys filling and emptying containers.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneActs from knowledge of propertiesMind· 16mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses objects functionallyMind· 10mo–15mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneParticipates in hygiene routinesBody· 15mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide different sizes and shapes of containers in water play, so that children can experiment with quantities and measures.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)