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Selection of outdoor water balloon games that the kids will absolutely love. These games will create a lot of backyard fun and are perfect for summer parties in the heat.
These games are suitable for all ages and groups of kids. Perfect for birthday parties or some simple summer fun.
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On a hot summer’s day there is nothing the kids like more than to get WET!
Water balloons provide not only a way to cool down, but also a whole heap of fun.
These water balloon games are perfect to use at birthday parties, pool parties or just some simple backyard fun.
Whilst water balloons provide a lot of fun, they can take a while to set up. It’s much easier if you obtain water balloons that have a self tie on them.
This will allow you to create the water balloons a lot quicker and re-stock them as you need them throughout the day.
What Games Can You Play With Water Balloons?
There are SO many water balloon games that you can play that all ages will enjoy.
This selection of games can be played with just a handful or a group of children. Adapt them as you need to suit the age and number of children you are catering for.
Check out the following 21 games to ensure that you have the best water balloon games day EVER!
1. Water Balloon Fight
This is as simple as it sounds and probably the most common water balloon game.
To play, literally fill buckets with water balloons and let the kids just throw them at each other.
No-one is out, and no-one is point scoring. It’s just a chance to run, laugh and get wet.
2. Water Balloon Toss
Stand in two separate lines facing each other. Now you simply toss a water balloon at each other. After each toss take one step backward and repeat.
3. Blind fold Water Balloon Toss
This game is played the same as the original balloon toss game, except everyone is blind folded.
It adds and extra element of fun and surprise.
4. Water Balloon Ring Toss
Place either a hula hoop on a bucket on the floor. The children have to toss the water balloons into the hoop or bucket.
The child or team that gets the most in is the winner.
5. Dodge Ball Water Balloons
You will need A LOT of water balloons to play this game.
Split the children into teams and give each team a bucket of water balloons. The children have to throw the water balloons at each other. If the child gets hit they are out.
The last child standing is the winner for their team.
6. Water Balloons V’s Water Pistols
Divide the children into two teams. One team has water balloons and the other team has water pistols.
Let them drench each other until all the water balloons are gone.
At the end of the game, let them switch so that they all have a chance to use the water pistols and the water balloons.
7. Water Balloon Tag
This is another great game for the kids to run around with. It is played exactly the same as normal “tag” but with water balloons.
To start the game, one child is “IT”. The child has to throw water balloons at the other kids. If another child gets hit, then they become “IT”.
Continue the game until you run out of water balloons.
8. Milk Jug Toss
Use large milk jugs and cut the top of. Give each child a milk jug and a water balloon.
The children need to throw the water balloons back and forth to each other, catching them in the jug.
9. Target Water Balloons
Choose something as a target which the kids will throw their water balloons at.
The simply let them enjoy throwing their balloons at the target.
This game can be played individually or in teams.
Each time the target is hit, a point is scored. The individual or team with the most points wins.
10. Balloon Stomp
This game is great for the kids that arn’t keen on having a balloon thrown at them.
Place all the balloons on the ground and let the kids stomp on them.
11. Water Balloon Foot Pass
Divide the kids into teams and have them sit in a line.
At one end of the line have a bucket filled with water balloons. At the other end of the line will be an empty bucket.
The children have to pass the water balloons to each other using only their feet. The child at the end of the line can place the balloon in the empty bucket. The team that gets the most balloons intact to the end bucket is the winner.
12. Under The Chin Water Balloon Relay
Just as you did with the water balloon foot pass, the kids need to be divided into teams and have them stand in a line.
At one end of the line have a bucket filled with water balloons and at the other end of the line will be an empty bucket.
The children have to pass the water balloons down the line under their chins. The team with the most balloons passed down to the end bucket wins.
13. Water Balloon Hot Potato
Get all the kids to sit in a circle and start playing some music. The kids pass a water balloon around the circle to each other as the music plays.
When the music stops, the child holding it has to smash it over their head.
The game continues until there is only one child left.
14. Duck, Duck Splosh
This is played exactly the same as duck duck goose, except instead of tapping the child’s head when saying goose, a water balloon is popped on their head.
Ask the children to sit in a circle and have one child go around the edge saying “duck, duck duck” to each child. The child will gently place their hand on the other child’s head as they say duck.
When they want to stop they say “Splosh” and pop the balloon on a child’s head. The child then gets up and chases the other child around the circle back to the original spot.
Then it’s the next child’s turn to walk around the circle.
Make sure every child has a turn before the game finishes.
15. Water Balloon Bowling
Stand up some empty water bottles to act as skittles. Roll the water balloons to knock as many skittles down as possible. Each skittle knocked down acts as one point.
Continue for as many rounds as you wish, and the child or the team with the most points at the end wins.
16. Water Balloon Roll
Simply have the children stand in a line and get them to roll their water balloons across the floor. The child that rolls their balloon the furthest is the winner.
17. Water Balloon Throw
Rather than rolling the water balloons along the floor, the children will be throwing them as far as they can.
However the winner is the child who threw the water balloon the furthest AND it didn’t smash.
18. Water Balloon Spoon Race
I’m sure you have heard of the egg and spoon race?
This is exactly the same game except you are using water balloons instead of eggs.
19. Water Balloon Squat Race
This is a super easy game to play that will cause a lot of laughs.
Divide the kids into teams and opposite each team place a hula hoop on the floor. In the middle of the hula hoop you will need a water balloon.
The kids need to run to the hula hoop (one at a time) and sit down on the balloon to make it pop. Run back to the rest of the team for the next child to run.
Whichever team is the fastest wins.
20. Trampoline Bounce
If you have a trampoline the kids will love this game.
Simply fill the trampoline with water balloons.
The children can either pop the balloons as they bounce, or aim to bounce the balloons off the trampoline.
21. Clean Up Race
Whilst playing with water balloons is a lot of fun, it also causes a lot of mess.
If you don’t have help, then picking up those broken pieces of balloons could take you a while. It’s easier to turn this clean up into a game.
Get the children to find as many pieces of balloon as they can. The child with the most pieces is the winner.
What About Game Prizes?
A lot of these water balloon games have individual or team winners.
This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money awarding prizes.
The children can either have the joy of simply knowing that they won, or if you wanted you could hand out a small prize such as a candy or a sticker.
Don’t get too stuck on organising lots of prizes. The kids are playing the games for the fun of it, and not for the prizes that they might win.
Do Water Balloons Hurt?
A lot of these water balloon games require the balloons to be popped on smashed onto the kids. If you have younger children you might be wondering whether the water balloons will hurt the kids.
The good news is that no they won’t!
The balloon will literally smash when the kids get hit, as the balloon is very thin. It wont hurt, but the kids will get wet!
What Can You Put In Water Balloons Besides Water?
For a bit of a twist on the water balloon games, you might like to fill the balloons with shaving cream rather than water. If you do this, ensure that you pick appropriate games that will avoid throwing balloons into any kids eyes.
This adaptation will also create a lot more mess. Ensure that the kids (and parents) are happy with this before you start the games.
The extra mess will be a lot of fun, providing that everyone is prepared for it!
Regardless of the age of your kids, there are plenty of water balloon games that they can enjoy. Pick just one or two or use lots of them for a full party of water balloon fun.
These games are perfect for the hot summer months. They allow the kids to still run around, have a lot of fun and stay cool. You won’t be disappointed with these games. Which ones are you going to try?
Need some more ideas for party games? Check out the most awesome fun party games for kids of all ages. You will have a ton of inspiration to keep the kids entertained.
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