Sieves and Buckets

• 1). Save back two soft plastic containers (butter dishes work well). Wash them out thoroughly.
  
  
• 2). Punch several holes in the bottom of one of the containers. This becomes a sieve for water and sand.
  
  
• 3). Punch two holes in either side of the other container. Thread a small piece of cord or rope through the holes to make a handle. This will work as a bucket.
  
  
• 4). Provide old plastic baking utensils such as plastic soup ladles to be used to stir and scoop.
  
  

Pool Basketball

• 1). Place a small (clean) trash can or empty five-gallon bucket on the side of the pool.
  
  
• 2). Weigh the trash can or bucket down with a brick or rock so that it won't get knocked over during play.
  
  
• 3). Use any medium-sized ball for your "basketball." Take turns trying to make baskets from a designated spot in the pool. You can also play this game with two baskets on either end of the pool.
  
  

Fun Sponges

• 1). Purchase several large sponges from a craft supply store. Make sure they are at least four inches square so you will have room to cut out your shapes.
  
  
• 2). Place a craft stencil in a water-related shape such as a boat or fish on top of the sponge. Use a pencil or marker to trace the shape on to the sponge.
  
  
• 3). Cut out the shape using a craft knife that has a blade long enough to go all the way through the sponge.
  
  
• 4). Use the sponges to play tossing games or to have "sponge wars."