Growing up water balloons were a summer must have. We spent so many hours playing different water balloon games for kids. Somehow my daughter made it to the age of four without ever playing with water balloons. We’re going to remedy that this summer! After I tossed a pack of water balloons into our cart at the store recently and told her what they were, her eyes sparkled with excitement. I know she’s going to love them, so I want to have a lot of ideas to keep us playing throughout the summer. Whether you’re looking for water balloon games to play for an end of the year part, summer camp, family reunion or just lazy summer days at home, you’re sure to find some fun water balloon activities in this massive collection.
Water Balloon Games for Kids
Explore: Give kids (especially younger kids and those who’ve never used water balloons) some time to freely explore filled water balloons. They’ll probably have more fun than you might think just playing with them for a while. They might:
- Feel the surface of the balloon
- Compare the weight of a balloon full of water and a balloon full of air
- Push on the balloon to see how it changes shape slightly
- Try to carry them around
- See what happens when you drop them
Fill It Up: Let the kids help you fill up the balloons and turn it into a game. You could:
- Set a timer and see how many balloons each kid could fill up in a certain time frame
- See who can fill the largest balloon without popping it.
Catch: Try many variations of catch. Kids could:
- Toss the balloon into the air and try to catch it themselves
- Play catch with a friend
- Play hot potato with a group
- Put soap or shaving cream on their hands and try to play catch
![DSC00842[4]](https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC008424.jpg)
Water Balloon Yo-Yo: Make a simple yo-yo from Preschool Alphabet. I bet my kids will have a lot of fun trying these out!
Water Balloon Hunt: Hide water balloons like an Easter egg hunt. See how many each person can find and place in their buckets without breaking them
Water Balloon Fight: Of course there will be a water balloon fight at some point! Trust me when I say it’s totally worth it to buy easy fill water balloons (affiliate). Just remember to use them right after you fill them. We learned that the hard way!
Water Balloon Parachute: Make your own water balloon parachute. Then test it out.
Water Balloon Launcher: Make this DIY balloon launcher featured on Waterworks Canada (Site no longer active. Try this YouTube tutorial instead.). Use it for play or try to see who can launch a water balloon the longest distance.
Water Balloon Painting: Use water balloon with paint in them to make a large mural and enjoy a little active play at the same time. For a great visual example, check out this paint and play post from Growing a Jeweled Rose.
Play Water Balloon Sports: Use water balloons instead of balls to play your favorite sports. Try water balloon basketball, volley ball, or this water balloon baseball idea from Spoonful.
Experiments: You know we love our science experiments, so I can’t wait to try these water balloon experiments from Train Up a Child. All three of them look awesome, but I think we’ll have to try the water balloon eruptions experiment first!
Play and Learn: Add a little learning to playtime with these water balloon math ideas from No Time for Flashcards or this water balloon number target practice from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas.
Practice name recognition with this name game for preschoolers.
Practice sight words with water balloons with this video idea from No Time for Flash Cards.
Help big kids learn their doubles math facts with this game.
If you are still looking for more water balloon inspiration, check out these collections of water balloon games and play ideas.
Super Fun Water Balloon Games from Family Fun in Omaha
20 Water Balloon Games from Local Fun for Kids
These are just a few of the ideas that come to mind when I think of water balloon games, but I would love to hear some more more suggestions in the comments. What are your favorite water balloon games for kids?
jeanine
My comments a year late but I can relate: my youngest is FIVE & 2014 was her first time EVER using a water balloon!! We’ve now done everything accept catch with paper plates which I LOVE the idea of!! We even had a Bowling with Water Balloon Painting night down our front yard ‘hill’ or ‘slope’ with four neighbourhood kids and the biggest paper you can imagine!! We’ve also done Vinegar & Water Filled Water Balloons, which we threw up in air ABOVE our Squirted on Liquid SideWalk Chalk writings –recipe for that is also via GrowingAJewelledRose.com 😀 TY SOO Much for commenters and your added ideas! 😉 HappySummer
Molly
These are great ideas one of my favourites is to play catch but rather than using your hands to catch the water balloon you use a paper plate, this makes the game harder but a lot more fun, try it! 🙂
Shaunna
Oooh, that is a fun idea, Molly! A great way to keep it challenging for older kids (and grown-ups, too!). Thanks for sharing!
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
So many fun ideas here! I’m featuring this on this week’s Sunday Showcase – thanks for sharing with us.
Shaunna
Thanks so much for featuring this post!
Beth
So many creative, fun ideas!! can’t wait for our weather to warm up enough to try some =)
I featured this at TGIF this week {http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/06/tgif-linky-party-79.html} Thanks for linking up and sharing your creativity with the rest of us! I hope to see you linked up again later this week!
Have a great weekend,
Beth =)
Rachel
Such a fabulous post!!! Thanks so much for putting together this great collection! AND… Thanks for sharing at For the Kids Fridays over at SunScholars. I am featuring you at this week’s link party!!
Shaunna
I’m so glad you like the ideas. Thanks so much for featuring the post.
iGameMom
Great list. We will for sure try some this summer. I will be featuring this on mom’s library on iGameMom. http://wp.me/p2t50R-1B9 it will be live around 12 mid-night. Thanks for sharing!
Shaunna
Thanks so much! I hope you have fun trying some of the ideas out!
Ashley
Featured you on Mom’s Library this week!
Shaunna
Awesome! Thanks!
Allison
Thank you for sharing our water balloon experiments!
katepickle
All your fab Northern Hemisphere bloggers really need to stop posting such awesome summer ideas!! I so want a giant water fight right now but it is freezing cold and raining down here!
Shaunna
Haha! Now you know how I felt all winter seeing your fun summer posts! I seem to remember a particularly adorable picture of a little one living it up in the paddle pool mid-January when we were freezing. Guess it’s nice to have summer reminders all year long! 🙂
Kirstylee
These ideas came at the perfect time. I have been planning a family reunion and was just thinking I needed some fun games to play with water balloons. This post is amazing! Thank you.
Shaunna
I’m so glad these ideas are helpful! I hope your family enjoys trying some of these ideas. Have a great reunion!
Julie @ Family Fun in Omaha
Love all of your ideas! We are so excited for summer so we can try them all. Thank you also for linking back – I will also add your link to my list! Have a great summer!
Shaunna
Thanks! Your ideas are great…so glad to be able to share them. I appreciate you adding the link to your list.