Another fun thing we do is let the girls play with water in the kitchen sink. They just love to fill up containers and cups and pour them out, over and over and over. To do this with a minimum of mess I always lay a bath towel on the floor before they start. Then bring in our all wood chairs from the dining room and turn them so the backs are against the cupboards, all the way in so their fingers won’t get pinched accidentally. They each get their chair so they don’t push each other off. And I always take their shirts off because as hard as I try they are going to get wet. Also I make sure there’s no knives or other sharp or breakable dishes within reach.
Then all you have to do is turn the water on low and let them have at it. The two rules in our house is try and keep the water in the sink, ie. no taking cups out water and putting them on the counter where they can get knocked over. And no touching the sprayer.
It can get a bit messy sometimes, but it is just water after all! Very easy to clean up and they say playing with sand and water helps kids with math. Don’t know how but that’s what the experts say. ;P And while they are occupied you can make dinner, or empty your dishwasher, or make a phone call, or sweep the floors, or read a book, you get the idea.