What with droughts and water restrictions, playing under the sprinkler in the backyard is a disappearing childhood moment where we live, but there are so many fun ways you and your kids can play with water in the backyard!
These fun water games are a great way to get everyone outside and enjoying the warm weather!
We don’t have a town water supply. We rely on rain water collection and a bore with a windmill, so we are not governed by local water restrictions. So when it rains and our tanks are full we sometimes splash out and let the kids play under the sprinkler on a warm afternoon. This simple water play activity is so much fun, and a great way to cool off on a hot day, but there are lots more fun water games you can play outside with your kids!
Fun Water Games to Play Outside.
Here are four fun water games you can play outside with your kids when the weather is warm!
Water Balloon Dodgeball
Water balloon dodgeball is a fun game that’s perfect for a hot day. Divide your family into two teams, and use water balloons instead of balls. The objective of the game is to hit players on the opposing team with water balloons, without getting hit yourself. Start off with all players wearing a dry shirt so it’s easy to see when they have been hit! The team with the last person standing wins. If you don’t want to use water balloons you can also use cups of water to toss at people as you run past!
Slip and Slide
A slip and slide is a classic summer activity that everyone will love! You can buy a commercial slip and slide set, or simply set up a long plastic sheet on the grass, and spray it down with water to create a slippery surface. Setting up on a slight slope if you have one works best, and you can add a little biodegradable dish soap if you need some extra slipperiness!
Drip Drip Drop Game!
This game is just like the classic ‘Duck Duck Goose’, but instead of saying ‘duck duck duck goose’ the player walks around the outside of the circle saying ‘drip, drip, drip drip…drop’ and dumping a cup of water on the chosen persons head! Find the rules for the drip drip drop game here.
Squirt Tag
Squirt tag is a fun twist on the classic game of tag or tiggy. Give each child a water gun or other water squirting apparatus, and choose one person to be “it.” The objective of the game is to tag other players with your water gun, while avoiding getting tagged yourself. The last player standing wins. Again starting the game with dry shirts helps everyone know when someone has been tagged. You can have the tagged/wet people sit out and the winner is the last person who is still dry!
Sprinkler Limbo
To play sprinkler limbo, you need a sprinkler that sprays water low to the ground, or you can can set up a hose to spray a stream of water. Just liker regular limbo you take turns leaning backward and try to walk under the water without getting wet. If you touch the water or fall down, you’re out. After each round, the sprinkler is lowered, making it harder. The last person left without getting wet wins!
Water Balloon Toss
To play water balloon toss, you need a bunch of filled water balloons and at least two players. Start with two people standing close and throwing the water balloon to each other. If it doesn’t break, they take a step back and toss it again. Keep stepping back and throwing for as long as you can without the water balloon braking. The last pair with an unbroken balloon wins.
There are plenty of fun water games you can play outside with your kids in the summer. These four games are just the tip of the iceberg. So, grab your swimsuits, fill up your water balloons, and get ready for some fun in the sun!
More Ways to Play Outside.
For even more fun and easy ways to get your kids playing outside, try one of these ideas:
The kids will love making magic potions from the garden.
See if you can find all the items in this Mega Huge Scavenger Hunt
Pick up an extra roll of foil when you are shopping so you can make this awesome river!
More Fun Water Activities for Kids
If your kids love playing with water, but hey are not quite ready for these structured games, try one of these fun water activities, or check out our list of easy water play ideas that are perfect for little ones.
Try one of these budget friendly alternatives to a water table.
Try this frog pond activity for an easy water play activity for inside or outside.
Try freezing some fun items into ice blocks for a cool water play idea.
Looks like awesome fun. I have fond memories of doing the same when I was wittle.
These games sound like so much fun. I have such fabulous childhood memories of playing under sprinklers.
Oh I loved the sprinker when i was little.. and the black plastic waterslide ;).. we’re on tank water too, so on the odd occasion (think a few years back!!) we’ve been able to ‘splash’ out too :)
Isn’t it strange how something we use to do as kids feels almost foreign and unnatural to our children. I dragged the spinkler out the other day and turned it on and my kids just stood there watching.