Just add (a little) water: Watercare’s five family-friendly gift ideas for a waterwise Christmas

In these scorching summer temperatures, it can be tempting to spend hours outside cooling off under the hose. But there are a lot of other ways to have fun with water without using quite so much of this precious resource, says Watercare's head of water Sharon Danks.

“As part of our ‘Every Drop Counts’ water efficiency campaign, we’re sharing some family-friendly holiday gift ideas that guarantee a whole lot of fun with just a little bit of water,” she says.

“Big jumps in water usage over summer can put pressure on our treatment plants and water networks – and that extra water is mostly being used outdoors. We want people to be able to enjoy water, and there are lots of ways to do that without using too much of this precious resource.”

Watercare’s top five waterwise gift ideas this Christmas

Crochet water balloons: These reusable water balloons are so much better than their plastic counterparts for loads of reasons. For starters, you don’t have to fill them up AND you don’t have to clean up tiny little bits of plastic from around the yard. Just get a couple of buckets of water, plonk the crochet balloons in, and you and your whānau are in for an epic water fight. You can buy these in toy stores, or you might spot homemade crochet water balloons in a local market this summer. Or if you’re a dab hand at crochet, DIY with instructions online.

Water pistols: A great way to cool off, water pistols keep the kids entertained without using heaps of water. There are even recycled plastic options available online – a much better option than leaving the sprinkler running!

Trigger nozzle: Struggling for a Secret Santa idea this Christmas? Consider buying a trigger nozzle attachment for the hose. They make watering the garden and cleaning the car much easier. Plus, there’s no wastage while you’re between tasks. We think it’s a must have – perfect for the avid gardener in your life, or just that person who’s really hard to buy for.

Seed-growing kit: The wonder of water can really be seen when you’re growing a seed from scratch. It’s a great option for kids, who’ll love taking care of their seedlings with just a little bit of water and watching them grow. Go a step further by buying a magic bean kit that grows leaves with your loved one’s name imprinted on them! And they actually work!

Water play table: Preschoolers will have hours of fun with a water play table or outdoor kitchen. Most only use about a bucket of water, and they’ll have your little ones squealing in delight.

Watercare is currently running a giveaway of a hamper packed with sustainable, water-related prizes. Visit Watercare’s Facebook page to learn more and enter the draw.