Hand Pumps put liquid in motion, bringing a new dimension to water play. In doing so, they spark heavy work and an interest in STEM play and exploration.

They can be used in many ways in play environments. One of my favorites is portable pump stations like the ones below that I build over the years. The pumps, installed on platforms, pull water from the tubs. These stations can be easily relocated as needed and don’t require the financial expenditure of digging a well or hard plumbing a hand pump on your playground.

More examples below. I’ve seen many hand pumps on public playgrounds across Australia, usually near beaches. Public playground water play isn’t something I’ve stumbled upon much in the United States or Canada.

Another inexpensive option is portable hand pumps (affiliate link). There are two examples in the following photos. They’re not as durable as their cast iron cousins, but they can be decent alternatives and spark a lot of play.

Hand Pumps At Play

Contribute content to Playvolution HQ
Brought to you by Explorations Early Learning

Browse Trainings