Keep your gang happy in the garden this summer
Most children love to play with water. However, using a paddling pool all summer can add up to a lot of extra water usage.
Even a small pool uses about 600 litres of water – the biggest ones can use up to 5,000 litres. Filling up a paddling pool several times a week is like adding a few more people’s water use to your household – most people in the UK use around 139 litres a day.
If you’re on a water meter, using a paddling pool will make your bill cost more. Even if you’re not on a meter, padding pools can be hard work to keep clean. We’ve got some ideas together for other ways to enjoy being outdoors this summer.
(Safety note: never leave children unattended with a container of water – even a small tub can be a drowning risk.)
Ideas for summer garden fun:
- Make a blanket fort
You can make a den by putting a blanket or bedsheet over chairs or the washing line, giving your child somewhere shady to play. Even a big cardboard box can work well – add cushions and toys to make a cosy nook.
- Get spraying
A clean spray bottle helps kids cool down and have fun while using a lot less water than a paddling pool or water pistols. Your kids might like spraying each other, you, plants, patio slabs and walls.
- Play with ice blocks
Freeze a few solid plastic toys in a tub to make a fun game for your kids – they can drop it, bash it, and slush it up as it melts.
- A bowl of water
A washing up bowl can help keep young children occupied for ages. They can put hands and feet in it, do some scientific experiments to see what floats, add food colouring or give their dollies a bath.
- Get a water butt and some mini watering cans
Water butts cost around £30 and they’re easy to fit on the downpipe of a shed or your roof, giving a free source of water. It’s not clean enough to drink, but your kids might enjoy filling watering cans using it on seedlings, or filling up a container to dip their feet in.
Being water-efficient with a paddling pool
On the days you do decide to use a paddling pool, you can make the water go further. Unless it gets really dirty, the water should last several days. Adding a cover (a sheet should work) will help reduce evaporation and keep out bugs. Put the pool in the shade to protect your child from the sun.
Once you’re finished with the water, it can be used for watering your plants.