Beat the Heat! Water Games to Keep Cool 

It’s hot, the kids are restless, and you’ve got a party to host. Try water games such as ice cube toss, sprinkler freeze, or bucket obstacle course. These activities—great for summer birthday parties, July 4 celebrations, and family reunions—prove that soggy isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Ice Cubes and Balloons

• Ice Cube Melt. Line up several kids into two teams and place an ice cube in the hands of the first player on each team. The first player rubs the cube until his hands become too cold and then passes the cube to player two. Continue passing the cube until it melts. The first team to melt the cube wins.
• Ice Cube Toss. Have two teams sit on both sides of a filled wading pool, facing each other. Empty a tray or two of ice cubes into the pool and instruct the kids to toss out the ice cubes using only their toes or feet. Use a timer to set a time limit so that you can count the cubes before they melt. When the timer rings, the team that has removed the most ice cubes wins.
• Target Practice. Have two teams face off within a measured-off space. The first player on each team holds a trash can lid or other deflector while an opposing team player tries to hit her with three water balloons. If the player is hit on the body, the opposing team receives a point. If the player deflects the balloons with the trash can lid, her team receives a point. Each pair takes a turn. The team with the most points is the winner.

Garden Hose Games

• Sprinkler Freeze. Have the kids in their swimsuits dance around the sprinkler. Designate one player to control the on and off positions of the sprinkler from a spot that cannot be seen by the other players. When the sprinkler starts, the dancers must freeze in place—and get soaked in the process. Anyone still dancing when the sprinkler starts is out. When the sprinkler stops, the kids dance around the sprinkler again. They should take turns controlling the sprinkler. The last person is the winner.
• Sprinkler Catch. Position your kids around an oscillating or impact sprinkler. When the spray of water passes by, players try to fill plastic cups without moving their feet. If a player takes a step, she must dump the water in the cup over her head. The first one to fill a cup is the winner.
• Jumping the Hose. One child holds the hose and directs a stream of water close to the ground. The other players jump over the stream of water. Gradually, the player holding the hose raises the stream. If a player touches the stream while jumping over it, he is out. The last person is the winner.

Bucket Game

• Bucket Obstacle Course. Arrange an obstacle course using lawn chairs or outdoor furniture. Place two buckets filled to the brim with water at each end of the course.  The first racer on each team carries a full bucket to the end of the course, trying not to spill any water. At the end of the course, the runner picks up the second bucket and returns to the starting point. Continue this series until every team member has had a turn. The team with the most water left in the two buckets is the winner.

Have fun, but remember that whatever type of water games you and your kids play, your first priority is safety.

Reprinted with permission from 50 Plus One Fun Things to Do with Kids During Summer by Ann Kepler (Encouragement Press, 2007).

June 2009