Best Backyard Water Games for Kids to Play in the Summer

May 9, 2023 / By Drew

Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to cool off with some fun water games! Whether you have a big backyard or a small one, you can have fun with these 7 water games for kids. Get ready to make a splash!

Water balloon toss

Water balloon toss is a classic game that kids and adults alike love to play during hot summer days. It's a simple game that involves throwing a water balloon back and forth between two people without breaking it. But you can make the game even more fun by adding some creative twists! Here are some ideas to make your water balloon toss game even more exciting:

  • Add a distance challenge: Instead of standing close to each other, have the players move further apart after each successful catch. The farther the players get, the more challenging the game becomes.
  • Incorporate obstacles: Set up obstacles such as cones or chairs in between the players, and have them navigate through them while tossing the water balloon.
  • Use a timer: Set a timer for a certain amount of time, and see how many successful catches the players can make before the timer goes off.
  • Play with teams: Divide players into teams and have them compete against each other. The team with the most successful catches wins.
  • Add a twist: Have players do a silly action before throwing the balloon, such as spinning around or hopping on one foot.
  • Play at night: Use glow-in-the-dark water balloons or add glow sticks inside regular balloons for a fun nighttime game.
  • Target practice: Set up a target, such as a hula hoop or bucket, and have players try to toss the water balloon into the target.

Slip 'n' slide

Slip 'n' slides are an awesome summertime activity that can provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike. The best part? You can easily make your own DIY slip 'n' slide right in your own backyard with just a few simple materials.

First, you'll need a large plastic tarp, preferably one that is at least 10 feet wide and 25 feet long. Lay the tarp out on a flat area of grass and secure the edges with stakes or heavy objects to prevent it from shifting around.

Next, you'll want to add a water source to make the slide slippery. You can use a hose to wet down the tarp, or you can set up a sprinkler or two to provide a constant stream of water. Make sure the water is flowing down the slide and not pooling at the bottom.

Once the tarp is wet, it's time to start sliding! You can use a variety of items to slide on, such as inner tubes, boogie boards, or even just your own body. Make sure to take turns and play safely, and have a few adults around to supervise the fun.

One fun idea is to create a "slip 'n' slide race" by dividing kids into teams and timing each team as they slide down the tarp. The team with the fastest time wins a prize!

Remember, safety should always come first when playing on a slip 'n' slide. Make sure the area around the slide is clear of any hazards, and always supervise children while they play. 

Water gun fight

Grab some water guns and let the battle begin! Water gun fights are always a blast, but turning it into a game can add even more excitement to the mix. Here are some fun ideas to make your water gun fight more interesting:

Capture the Flag: Divide into two teams and place a flag or object on either end of the playing field. The objective of the game is to capture the other team's flag and bring it back to your side without getting tagged with a water gun. If you get hit, you have to return to your side before continuing to play.

Last One Standing: In this game, all players stand in a circle and try to squirt each other with their water guns. The last person standing, who has not been squirted, is the winner.

Target Practice: Set up different targets like cups or balloons around the playing area and have players try to hit them with their water guns. The person who hits the most targets wins.

To add more fun to your water gun fight, try using different types of water guns like water blasters, squirt guns, or even water balloons. Just make sure everyone is having fun and stays safe!

Want to build your own water gun? Have a blast with our Splash Blasters!

Water balloon piñata

Water balloon piñata is a fun and splash-tastic game that will make a big "splash" at any summer party. It's a refreshing twist on the classic pinata game, and the best part is that you get to cool down while you play!

To set up the game, you'll need some water balloons, a rope or string, and a sturdy tree branch or pole. Simply tie the rope to the tree branch or pole, and then tie the water balloons to the rope at different heights, just like a regular piñata.

When it's time to play, gather your players around the water balloon piñata, and give each player a turn to try and burst a balloon with a water gun, squirt bottle, or even a bat. To make it more challenging, you can blindfold the players or have them spin around before they try to hit the balloon.

As the balloons burst, water will splatter everywhere, creating a refreshing mist on a hot day. And when the last balloon is popped, everyone can cool off and have a good laugh.

Sponge race

The Sponge Race is a fun and wet game that is perfect for a hot summer day. To play this game, you will need a few sponges, a bucket of water, and two teams of players. Each team will need to stand in a line with their backs facing the starting line. The first player on each team will be given a wet sponge. On the signal to go, the players will turn around and start passing the sponge over their heads to the next person in line. The last person in line will then run to the front of the line and the process will continue until one team reaches the finish line.

To add some extra fun to the game, you can make it a "Sponge Relay-race". Set up a relay-race style course with obstacles that the players must maneuver around while holding the sponge. For example, you could set up cones or pool noodles that players must weave in and out of, or you could have players jump over a sprinkler or a small kiddie pool. You can even add some water-based challenges such as a water gun station where players have to shoot targets before moving on to the next obstacle.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some sponges, fill up a bucket of water, and let the fun begin!

Water balloon baseball

Water balloon baseball is a great game to play with friends and family on a hot day! It's just like regular baseball, but instead of using a ball, you use a water balloon! The person who is up to bat tries to hit the water balloon with a bat, and everyone else on the field tries to catch the water balloon before it hits the ground.

To set up the game, you'll need a large open space, such as a backyard or park, and a plastic bat. You'll also need plenty of water balloons, so make sure to stock up!

To play, divide into two teams - one team will be the batters and the other will be the fielders. The batters will take turns hitting the water balloon with the bat, and the fielders will try to catch it before it hits the ground. If a fielder catches the water balloon, the batter is out. If the water balloon hits the ground before it's caught, the batter is safe.

So, get ready to make a big splash with water balloon baseball! It's a fun and exciting game that will keep you cool and entertained on those hot summer days!

Water limbo

Water limbo is a fun game to play on a hot summer day! It's just like regular limbo, but with a fun water twist. You'll need a hose or sprinkler to create a stream of water for everyone to limbo under.

To play, turn on the water and adjust the stream so that it's about waist-high for the players. One person holds the hose, while the other players line up to limbo under the stream. As each player takes their turn, the person with the hose lowers the water stream little by little, making it harder and harder to get under.

And if someone accidentally touches the water stream while limboing, they're out! The last person standing wins!

These are just a few fun water games that kids can play in the backyard. They're easy to set up, and best of all, they'll keep you cool and entertained on a hot summer day. So, grab your swimsuit and get ready for some water fun!


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