Teaching Kids About Plumbing

Teaching kids about plumbing is a great way for little ones and older children to learn helpful skills like conserving water and other responsible behaviors.

Following these tips from your friends at Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter will help prevent plumbing issues in the future.

And, bonus, we’ve included some fun activities at the end of the blog that will keep kids entertained and engaged!

Let’s get to it!

Young Kids

At an early age kids are fascinated with water, toilets, and everything else they can get their hands on. Teach them what is okay and not okay to do in the bathroom so you don’t run into problems later.

They should know not to flush:

• Toys — While it’s okay for bath time, it’s not okay to give them a bath in the toilet.
• Wipes — Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and “flushable” wipes.
• Q-Tips — They are small, but can cause an obstruction in the pipes.
• Dental Floss — Floss can snag onto something and cause blockage.
• Hair — Whether its from the shower drain or a hair brush it should go in the trash.
• Diapers — Kids who are learning to potty train may think that it’s okay to take off their diaper and put it in the toilet. That’s a BIG no no.

Extra tip: As kids brush their teeth, make sure they keep the water off until they’re ready to rinse. Doing this helps conserves water resources and keeps the utility bill lower.

Kids Old Enough To Do Dishes

Helping out can be fun and instills good habits early on. If they help you around the house make sure they:

• Know what NOT to put down the garbage disposal (bones, grease, pasta, veggies).
• Know how to properly clean the dishes before loading them into the dish washer.
• Know to only run the dishwasher when full. Same goes for the washing machine. This helps saves water.

Kids Old Enough To Be Home Alone

Giving children independence also means giving them responsibility. When they are home alone make sure they know how to:

• Shut the water off to the entire house in case there is an emergency leak.
• Know how to shut off a specific valve, like under a sink if a faucet is dripping or in the bathroom for when a toilet keeps running.
• Plunge the toilet if they come across a clog.
• Plunge the sink if it backs up.

Teaching kids to be independent, strong and able to handle simple plumbing issues will be helpful for you both now and in the future. And, armed with a little knowledge, kids can do their part to keep common plumbing problems from becoming much worse before the professionals arrive.

Bonus Materials

Ok, time to let the younger kids have some fun (while still learning about plumbing, of course!).

Online Games and Puzzles

Free Plumbing Word Search Puzzle

Find 18 plumbing terms and PNW-centric words in this kid-friendly word search puzzle. (And create your own puzzles with Discovery Education’s puzzlemaker!)

Plumber Game by Math is Fun

A puzzle game where kids rotate pipes to ensure water flows correctly.

Daisy’s Plumber Puzzle on ABCya!

Children rearrange pipes to guide water to a flower before time runs out.

Plumber Pipe Out on CrazyGames

A challenging game where players act as plumbers, connecting pipes to allow proper water flow.

Physical Activities to Help Teach Kids About Plumbing

PVC Pipe Water Play (Easy)

Provide children with various PVC pipes and connectors to build their own water systems. This hands-on activity encourages creativity and understanding of water flow.

You’ll need the following from your local hardware store (approx. $20-$25 in cost):

Ten feet of 1⁄2 inch PVC pipe
Connectors
Pipe Cutters

1. Buy a wide array of connectors.
2. Cut the PVC pipe into different sizes and lengths.
3. Gather a funnel and plastic pitcher for pouring water
4. Place all of the parts into a wading pool that’s filled half way with water.
5. Have fun!

Plumbing Wall Activity (Intermediate/Advanced)

This is a fantastic way for kids in a class environment or after school program to learn hands-on how water flows in our everyday lives.

Children assemble a simple drain system using precut PVC pipes and fittings attached to a small, prefabricated wall. The piping can be put together and taken apart again and again (everybody gets a turn!). This introduces kids to basic plumbing concepts in a safe environment.

Wrapping Up

We hope you’ve enjoyed our practical advice and suggested activities with respect to teaching kids about plumbing. Children love to learn, and love to assist their elders — from being allowed to turn a wrench or hold a set of pliers to knowing that they are doing their part to help the family conserve water.

Lastly, when play time is over and there is a real plumbing or sewer issue to solve, you can always count on us at Bob Oates to be one call or click away. Reach out to us anytime — we are here for you 24/7/365!