With summer in full gear, water games are the perfect excuse to get the little ones out and about. The next time you are at home with a house full of children, here are some fun water games to keep in mind. Get ready to get a little wet and have a lot of fun!
1. Homemade Slip And Slide
This classic water game is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer’s day. Get the kids out of the house and have them help you set up a slip and slide. With their popularity, you can get one under ten bucks at your local Walmart or even cheaper online on sites like Amazon. If you don’t want to spend the extra bucks, all you really need is a modestly sized hill and a long piece of tarp. Setting it up is easy, and having fun is even easier.
Pro Tip:
Add an extra dose of fun to this popular water game by using tear-free shampoo or soap. This will make your ride down the slip and slide a lot more fun. If you have a kiddie pool nearby, consider putting it at the end of your slip and slide for a safe and fun crash landing.
2. Water Gun Fight
This next idea is one of the most classic water games to play when the sun in out. You are going to want to head over to your local dollar store for this outdoor water activity. Grab your kids, nieces and nephews, and local neighborhood kids for an evening of absolute fun. Have a free for all water gun fight or get a little more organized and split into teams.
For the parents who don’t mind getting a little dirty, try this fun twist on the classic water game. Coordinate all the kiddos so that they are wearing white tee-shirts. (Preferably one they don’t mind getting dirty). Mix a concentrated solution of food coloring and water. (You will want to have two or more different colored water sets dependant on the number of teams you want to create).
Split the kids up into designated teams with each team assigned a specific color. Then, fire away. After five or ten minute rounds, the team that is soaked the most in one particular color is the winner. Throw in obstacles they can hide behind, and the kids are sure to have fun for hours.
Pro Tip:
Save money on one of the most popular water games. Buy your water guns in bulk, especially if you will be entertaining a lot of children. It’s always good to have an extra one or two water guns on the side in case a child has issues with theirs.
Water Balloon Games Galore
You can’t have summer without having water balloons on the itinerary list of your water games. The magical thing about water games is that you can have endless amounts of fun. Here are some of the top water balloon water games that are an absolute must this summer.
3. Water Balloon Hot Potato
This next water game is a classic twist on the hot potato game. Have teammates toss a small water balloon to each other. Whoever pops the balloon instead of catching is the loser! For an added dose of competition, turn this water balloon game into a challenge. Have teammates stand toe to toe when they are first beginning. Each time both players make a successful toss, have them take a step backward.
Pro Tip:
Pair teammates up with kids that are their own size, ability, or age so that all is fun and fair.
4. Water Balloon Fight
Need I say more? Split the kids up into teams and watch them have fun with one of the most iconic water games. This is the perfect game to involve the whole family in as well. For a dose of fun on one of the best water games, pair parents against the children and watch the fun explode!
Pro tip:
Ditch filling up the water balloons one by one. Invest in a Bunch O Balloons kit and easily fill a hundred water balloons in under one minute. These means less prep time and more play time!
5. Guess The Color
This next water game is one of the best water games to keep you cool and guessing – literally. You will need water balloons (dark colors preferably, not white or clear). You will also need to get your hands on two different food coloring dyes for coloring the water. And finally, players will need to sport a white shirt. (preferably one they don’t care about getting dirty).
To put this water game together, you will need to fill up the dark-colored water balloons with a couple of drops of food coloring so that it is very well concentrated. Be sure that you are unable to distinguish the color that is inside the balloon. Once the prep work is done, split the kids up into teams. Take turns guessing what color the balloon will be when it pops. The catch is, the only way it will pop is after you have thrown it at your opposing team’s chest. The team with the correct guesses wins!
Pro Tip:
Parents, be sure to lead the game and take on the role of commentary. Build up the suspense before the kiddos throw the balloons and watch the fun compound.
6. Water Balloon Relay Race
Get ready to get your butt wet with one the best relay race water games. The prep work for this water balloon relay race is fairly simple. Get two chairs and split the players up into two teams. Set a water balloon on each chair. On your count, players will run to the chair, sit on the balloon, and try to pop it. The team who has popped the most balloons in one minute is the winner.
Pro tip:
Have a spotter next to each chair. This can be a parent or a child. The spotter will be responsible for counting the number of popped balloons as well as reloading the chair with another balloon.
7. Visit The Water Park
If you are not in the mood to create and facilitate water balloon games, then consider spending a day at the water park. Not only will the kids be super entertained, but as the parent, you will get a chance to enjoy and relax yourself. If the water park is the way to go, remember to make the most out of it because it can get pricey.
Be sure to arrive early when the sun is at its peak moment. Stay until the kids are well and worn out, or you know they have had enough to last them through the rest of the week. As always, whenever you are around a body of water, be sure to pay close attention to the kiddos you have brought with you. Fun is the goal, but safety is the priority.
Pro Tip:
If you are traveling to your local water park, try to book tickets in advance or online to score a good deal. There are often discounted rates if purchases are made this way. Finally, don’t forget to bring along a nice picnic or assortments of snacks for the kiddos when it is time to take a break.
Final Thoughts
You don’t realize the many different ways you can have fun when you incorporate water games into the mix. This summer, be the cool parent on the block by trying out some of the water games listed here. As with all water games, the more, the merrier. So gather around as many kids as you can, and get to soaking!
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