Cool Water Games

Water Balloon Games

• For a water balloon relay race, mark a starting line and finish line about 20 feet apart. Have the children line up at the starting line and place a large bucket of water balloons between the two teams. When you say "Go," the first two players in each team line have to grab a water balloon and run to the finish line. They have to sit on the balloon to pop it and then run to tag the next player in line. The first team to finish wins the game.

  Another game to play with water balloons is water dodge ball. Divide the players into two teams and give each team a bucket of water balloons. Place a rope in the middle of the play area to divide the sides. If a water balloon hits a player, he is out of the game. When all the balloons are gone, the team with the most players left wins the game.

Splash Ball Games

• Use splash balls, which are available at most retail and pool supply stores, to create cool water games. Select one player to be "it" and place two or three splash balls in a bucket of water. "It" must use the splash balls to toss at other players to tag them. When a splash ball hits a player, he is the new "it."

  Another splash ball idea is to draw a large target on a fence or wall using sidewalk chalk. Draw rings around the target and write a point value in each ring. Players must stand behind a line and throw the splash balls at the target to earn points. The player who earns the most points wins the game.

Water Gun Games

• Mark two lines about 10 feet apart and have each player stand on a line. Give each player a large toy water gun filled with water. Place an inflated beach ball in the middle of the players. The object of the game is to use the water gun to "shoot" the ball past your opponent. The ball must go past your opponent to win the game, but players can only use the water from their guns to make the ball move.

  For another water gun game, place several empty cans in a pyramid shape on a table and have the players try to shoot them off using a water gun. The player who knocks down the most cans wins the game.

Water Bucket Games

• Poke two or three holes in the bottom of a milk jug using a hammer and a large nail. Divide the players into two teams and give each team a plastic cup. Place a large bucket of water at the starting line and have the teams use the plastic cups to fill up the milk jugs. The holes in the jug will make it harder for the teams to fill up, so they must fill the jug fast. The first team to fill up the milk jug with water wins the race. Another idea is to have the players do this race individually and the player who fills her jug first wins the race.