15 Ultimate Water Balloon Games for Backyard Summer Fun

There’s just something about water balloons that instantly turns an ordinary summer afternoon into laughter and unforgettable memories. (All you have to do is look at the smiles to know!)

These easy water balloon games bring the perfect mix of fun, competition, and soaking wet silliness. Whether you’re planning a backyard party, trying to keep the kids entertained, or just looking for an excuse to cool off, they are guaranteed to make your summer feel a little more magical.

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Note: I like using the reusable water balloons so that you don’t have to pick up bits and pieces out of the yard later. It’s a lifesaver!:)

Easy Water Balloon Games For Kids

1. Water Balloon Spoon Race

Supplies: Water balloons and large spoons

Each player races to the finish line while balancing the balloon on the spoon. If a player drops the balloon, they must return to the starting line and try again.

Note: Give younger kids a head start or a shorter distance to run. Make the older kids work for it!

2. Water Balloon Sit

*They loved this one, and it’s so simple!

Players must sit on balloons to pop them. The first one to finish wins.

Young kids can do just one or two. But give older kids a challenge with 3-4.

3. Hot Potato

1. Have everyone sit or stand in a circle outdoors.
2. Choose who will start the game by handing them the first water balloon.
3. Participants pass the water balloon around the circle as quickly as possible while the music is playing.
4. The player holding the water balloon when the music stops (or timer rings) is out of the game for that round.
5. Start a new round with the remaining participants until only one player is left.

4. Water Balloon Toss Game

1. Each team stands facing each other a short distance apart.
2. One player tosses a water balloon to their teammate. The teammate catches the balloon trying not to break it.
3. After each successful catch, both players take a step back.
4. Keep playing until the water balloon breaks. The last team with an intact balloon wins!

5. Target Practice

*So easy!

Throw balloons at a target and see who hits the most. We used a bucket, but you could use multiple buckets or make a chalk drawing on the driveway for target practice.

6. Water Balloon Treasure Hunt

This free treasure hunt is so fun! To incorporate water balloons, you could:

1. Leave a water balloon with each clue. The first one to find the clue gets to throw the water balloon at someone! (You’ll have a blast watching them scramble!)
2. Or leave a bucket of water balloons as the final “treasure.”

Grab the free pirate hunt >>

7. Water Balloon Dodge Ball

*Great for bigger groups!

1. Define a playing area with boundary markers first. The size of the area will depend on the number of players and the space available, but ensure it’s large enough for everyone to move around freely.
2. Divide the players into two teams.
3. Each team gathers on opposite sides of the playing area. Give each player several water balloons.
4. Both teams start throwing water balloons at each other while trying to avoid being hit.
5. If a player is hit by a water balloon and it bursts, they are out of the game and must leave the playing area.
6. The game continues until all players from one team are out, making the opposing team the winner of that round.
7. Players must stay within the boundaries of the playing area. If they step out, they are out of the game.
8. If a player catches a water balloon thrown by the opposing team and it doesn’t burst, the thrower is out, and the catcher can bring one of their teammates back into the game.

8. Capture the Balloon

This is exactly like capture the flag, but using a water balloon instead. To play, define your boundaries and split your group into two teams. Hide your balloons. (Mine was in plain sight, but if you are playing with older kids, each team should hide the balloon well.) Then, each team attempts to steal their opponent’s balloon while defending their own.

You can also add a “tag” element to prolong the game. If a player is tagged, they must return to their team’s base and start over looking for the balloon.

9. Water Balloon Baseball

Supplies:

• Water Balloons
• Wiffle Bat

Take turns hitting water balloons with a wiffle bat for fun batting practice! Prepare to get wet!

10. Balloon Towel Toss

• Water Balloons
• Large Towel for each person or pair

You can play this fun little game two ways! Divide your group into pairs. Have them take turns launching and catching with the towel (like in the picture). Or have each pair toss the water balloon using the towel to another pair. They try to catch the balloon with their towel. See how many tosses and catches you can get before the balloon bursts.

Optional challenge: Make this harder by throwing and catching the balloon over an object or net.

11. Over Under Relay

Divide your group into teams. Then, have them line up. Players must toss the balloon over their heads and under their legs to the person behind them. The fastest line (with the balloon still intact) wins.

Note: Younger kids should stand closer together while older kids can be a little farther apart.

12. No Hands Challenge

*Get your camera out for this one!

This easy game is hilarious to watch. Pick a start and finish line and have your players line up at the start. From there, players try to move or carry their water balloon, without using their hands, to the finish.

13. Wet Consequences

This unique idea is a twist you can use with many of the other fun summer games on the site. For each game below, play like normal. BUT when a player misses one (they run out of time or give the wrong answer), they get a water balloon thrown at them.

Try it with

• Summer 5 Second Rule Game
• Summer Family Feud
• Finish the Lyric Summer Songs
• Summer Trivia or Summer Jeopardy

(You can also play this the opposite way, and winners get to throw water balloons at everyone else.)

14. Fill the Bucket Relay

*This one keeps little kids busy for hours!

For this game, each player gets a bucket and a set of water balloons. Then, they see how quickly they can transfer water using balloons to fill a bucket. The first one to fill their bucket wins.

15. Water Balloon Piñata

Supplies: Water balloons, bat, something to hang from, blindfold

This game works well if you have an easy place to hang them, like a clothes line. Hang balloons and let kids try to burst them blindfolded.

What’s Next?

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