Backyard Water Games for Kids

School is out and the weather is heating up. This means it is time to come up with ways to combat boredom while staying cool in the summer heat. There are a variety of creative ways to keep the kids entertained over the summer, but every parent knows that summer boredom woes set in from time to time. There is nothing worse than a hot, bored, and irritable child. So why not cool things down this summer and keep the kids happy with some backyard water games?

Water Balloon Fight

Having a water balloon fight is a classic summer water game. Generations upon generations have enjoyed having a good old-fashion water balloon fight. In fact, the students at the University of Kentucky hold an annual water balloon fight to try to break the world record for the largest water balloon fight. Water balloons are fairly inexpensive and can be found at the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Wal-Mart, Target, and other stores. Simply fill each balloon with water and let the kids loose throwing them at each other. It is a great way to cool down and provide summer memories to last a lifetime.

Just make sure that all of the balloon pieces are picked up because birds and other animals may choke on the pieces. The balloon pieces also pose a choking hazard to younger children. Having the kids pick up the pieces will also help instill in them civil responsibility.

Water Gun Fight

Another classic water game is having a water gunfight. Water guns were first patented in 1896 but the concept didn’t become truly popular until engineers in the 1980s designed pump-action water guns. Since then, each year water guns are getting bigger and better.

Regardless of the style of water gun, kids of all ages will spend hours outside in a water gunfight. Some are strategically acted out water gun fights, others are just random fun. Many adults can’t resist a good water gun fight, so this makes it a great way to have some fun together as a family.

Drip, Drop, Drench

Drip, Drop, Drench is a great game to play when you have several kids looking for something simple to beat the summer heat. This game is played much like Duck, Duck, Goose. Have the kids sit in a circle. Place a bucket of water in the center of the circle. Decide who is going to be “it” and hand them a sponge. The larger the sponge the better but any sponge will do.

The child who has the sponge will dip the water in the bucket and the walk around the outside of the circle. The child with the sponge will touch each child’s head with the sponge saying “drip, drop, drip, drop.” Once the child chooses who will be “it” next, he or she will squeeze all the water out of the sponge onto the other child’s head saying, “drench”.

The child who got drenched will then chase the person with the sponge trying to tag them before he or she gets back to the empty spot. If the child with the sponge gets to the spot first, he or she will hand the sponge to the other child and the game starts again.

There is a variety of variances of the game. It all depends upon preference. The important thing is that the kids have fun, cool off, and are active.

Water Limbo

This is an easy game using a water hose. Hold the hose up at different levels and allow the children to go under. If you do not have the time to hold the hose or do not want to risk getting wet, there are products available for children to play water limbo.

A family favorite is Water Limbo by Discovery Kids. It stands over 54 inches (137.2 cm) high. With three AAA batteries, it even comes with a music feature that sets the mood with limbo music. Not only is this great for kids, siblings, and friends, it is perfect for summer parties.

Another fun idea is using a wet sponge is Sponge Tag. Many kids like playing dodge ball or ball tag in the summer. Why not play it and cool off at the same time. Fill a bucket full of cold water. Decide who is going to be “it”. The person who is “it” will throw the wet sponge at the other players trying to eliminate them one by one. Another way to play is whoever is tagged with the wet sponge first, becomes “it” and tries to tag someone with the wet sponge.

Sprinkler Freeze Dance is a great game for kids to play with their friends. Hook up an oscillating sprinkler to the garden hose. Play music as the children dance around the sprinkler trying to avoid getting wet. At random intervals, stop the music and the children have to freeze in place. Even if the sprinkler gets them wet, they must stay frozen until the music starts again. If anyone moves, then they must sit out. Continuing playing and stopping the music until there is only one child left.

Although it is hot outside, it is important that kids get plenty of exercise. Water games are a wonderful way to allow them to cool off this summer while still staying active. There are plenty of backyard water games to play that are inexpensive to play. Whether shopping online or in-store, the summer toy department has dozens of options to choose from. But in many cases, all it takes is a house, some creativity, and time to unleash hours of fun.

Lasting summer memories will not be in short supply when you add backyard water games to your child's summer activities. It is a fun option to keep the kids fit and soak up some sun while staying cool.