1. Water Balloon Toss Game
Overview:
All you need for this game are water balloons and the ability to throw and catch.
How To Play:
First, stand across from your partner and try to toss and catch the water balloon.
Then, take a step back between each turn, and see how far you can make it!
For each successful catch, you get a point as a team.
If you break it, grab a new balloon and start over!
Variations:
You can play with two people for a personal challenge, or you can play against other teams of two. Whichever team can throw it the farther, wins.
2. Water Balloon Musical Chairs (AKA Hot Potato)
Overview:
ItWho doesn’t love a rousing round of musical chairs?
And it’s even more fun with water balloons!
How to play:
First, have the kids sit in a circle.
Next, turn on your favorite party song. Have them pass the water balloon to the next player, around and around the circle, until the music stops.
When the music stops, whoever is left holding the water balloon is out.
(And, they have to break the water balloon over their head! It’s all part of the fun.)
Keep playing until you have just one person left – that’s the winner!
Fill up a giant bucket of water balloons for hours of backyard summer fun!
3. Water Balloon Squat Race
Overview:
This game will delight all ages because it’s so silly and easy to play. All you need are water balloons and a hula hoop (or something that can create a circle on the ground).
How To Play:
Split into teams, or, if you only have a few people, it’s every person for themselves. Each player races to the goal (i.e. a hula hoop laying on the ground) and sits on the water balloon to pop it, then runs back.
Whoever does it faster – individually or part of a relay team – wins!
4. Water Balloon Back-to-Back Challenge
Overview:
This partner challenge is one of the most fun water balloon games, especially for birthday parties. It required players to work together towards a common goal. This is a great way to team build between siblings or friend groups.
How To Play:
First set up a course. It can be very simple such as “across the yard and back” or more complicated involving cones, zig-zags, obstacles, etc.
Then, have two team members try to hold a water balloon between their backs and get to the finish line without popping it. If the balloon pops, you have to go back to the starting line. The first team that gets to the finish line without popping the water balloon is the winning team.
Variations:
If you have enough people, you can turn this into a relay race!
5. Fill the Bucket
Overview:
This might be the simplest water balloon game on the list. All you need are a ton of water balloons and a few buckets or containers.
How To Play:
Assign a bucket to each player. Draw a mark on the bucket, or decide where it needs to be filled up to.
On the count of three, each person breaks open their water balloons to fill up their bucket. Whoever fills up the bucket first wins. Simplest water game ever!
Variations:
Make it a team effort! Work together to fill up one bucket and time yourselves. Then, do it again, and try to beat your time.
6. How Far Can You Throw?
Overview:
This game take a surprising amount of skill. It’s not just about who can throw it farthest, but rather, who can throw it the farthest without breaking the water balloon!
How To Play:
First, have all players line up at the start line. The first player tosses it as far as they can without popping it. Then everyone else takes a turn. Whoever can throw their balloon the farthest without popping it, wins!
You can play several rounds, and you can even make it into a tournament!
7. Water Balloon Easter Egg Hunt
Overview:
It doesn’t need to be springtime for a water balloon Easter Egg Hunt. Summer is the perfect time for an egg hunt – with filled water balloons, of course!
How To Play:
First, hide different color balloons all around your yard, like an Easter Egg Hunt.
Then, let everyone go find as many as they are able to. Once they are all claimed, yell “GO!” and the water balloon fight can begin!
Variations:
Have kids turn in their water balloons for prizes. Or, try to hide prizes inside of the water balloons.
8. Water Balloon Target Practice
Overview:
How accurate is your aim? Find out with water balloon target practice!
How To Play:
First, choose something to be your target. For example, you can use masking tape or chalk to draw a target on the driveway, a tree trunk, etc. Or, you can set up a soda can or bottle on a ledge.
Next, have each player try to throw the balloon as close to the target as they can. You can earn a point for each time you hit the target, or compete to see who can get closer to the target in each round.
Variation:
Water Balloon Number Target Practice: For younger kids, you can write different numbers with side walk chalk. Ask them to try to hit a certain number. This is good number practice for preschoolers!
9. Water Balloon Towel Toss
Overview:
If you have at least four players and two towels, you can easily play this fun variation of a water balloon toss.
How to Play:
Two players hold a large towel tight at the ends, and place the balloon onto the towel. The other two players stand a few feet away from the first team with their own towel stretched between them.
The first team throws the water balloon up into the air with their towel, towards the other team, who try to catch the balloon with their towel.
10. Water Balloon Clean Up Race
Overview:
After your epic water balloon game day, there are sure to be lots of little pieces laying around your yard or space. These can be choking hazards for wildlife, and you’ll probably want your yard back to looking presentable.
How To Play:
Make the cleanup process into a game! Tell everyone they get a point for every balloon piece they pick up. Offer a small prize to the winner!