5 Super Simple Backyard Water Games for Kids

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Our summer has been full of adventures so far, but some of our favorite times so far are the ones that we’ve spent in the backyard. I decided this summer that instead of braving the community pool with my 2 children plus a baby, we would create our own water fun right in our own backyard. And I’ll tell you what, my kids have been pleased as punch with this arrangement.

We invested in a cheap plastic kids pool and a few other water toys that have provided hours of entertainment. I love when that happens!

Since I have two that aren’t potty trained yet, we have been using Huggies Little Swimmer swimpants (featuring Finding Dory characters!). They don’t swell in water and my favorite part is the side tabs that make changing so quick so we can get back to the fun.

While splashing around is fun in and of itself, we’ve mixed up the fun by playing some simple water games, perfect for little kids. I’m sharing them here, in case you want to mix up your backyard fun, too! And even though these are geared towards kids, they are mom and dad approved, too! It’s amazing what fun the whole family can have together with these cheap and simple ideas.

1. Water Balloon “Volleyball”

What you’ll need: water balloons, beach towels, a partner

How to play:

Grab a partner. Each person holds the opposite end of a beach towel.
Place a water balloon on the towel and on “go”, lift up the towel quickly to make the water balloon fly. Try to catch it back on the towel before it pops.
For a large group or older crowd, set up a net and play traditional volleyball using this method.

^Um, whoever invented these water balloons is a genius!

2. Pool Noodle Race

What you’ll need: pool noodle, (cut in 1/2), sand bucket or jar, flower watering can

How to play:

Fill up a large pool or bucket with water. A kiddie pool works great.
Each team will take an empty sand bucket or jar (use a jar to make it more difficult for older kids) and place the cut water noodle inside.
On “go” each team races to fill their bucket or jar with water. Water must go through the inside of the water noodle.
The first team to fill up their bucket wins.

^For little kids, a sand bucket works great!

^To make the game more challenging, put the noodle in a jar.

3. Sprinkler Relay Race

What you’ll need: hose, sprinkler attachment, kid pool

How to play:

Set up the sprinkler and kid pool.
Players must run from the pool to the sprinkler.
Add in various actions like, run backwards, crawl like a spider, fly like a bird, jump like a kangaroo, etc. to get from the pool to the sprinkler and back.

4. London Bridge is Falling Down

What you’ll need: hose

How to play:

Have one person hold the hose and sing “London Bridge is falling down”. On “down”, they lower the hose.
The players run through the hose trying not to get wet.

5. Water Darts

What you’ll need: water balloons, target

How to play:

Make a target. It can be fancy or as simple as your plastic pool!
Take turns throwing water balloons to hit the target. The person with the most hits wins.

Get outside and have some water fun! You’ll be surprised at how many fun memories can be made with these simple ideas.

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For worry-free water fun in the sun, look for Huggies Little Swimmers with new Finding Dory characters at a retailer near you, and follow this link to download a coupon for $1.50 off your first pack of Huggies Little Swimmers – for a limited time – and find other Huggies offers.

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