Cool off with our list of outdoor water games for kids and adults. These wet & wild activities include over 70 fun-filled water games from the basic ones for beginners to the elite games for the serious water athlete. Get ready to splash into fun!
Some of the silliest games, are the best games. Water games are brilliant for parties, gatherings or even family entertainment. Don’t just consider them to be a game for kids. Water games are great for bringing forth the inner kid in everyone. Take a look at these outside water game ideas. These games range from the basic ones for beginners to the elite games for the serious water athlete.
What are some fun water games?
Who doesn’t love a water balloon fight? Break out the inflatables and fill up those kiddie pools, because it’s time to get wet and wild! Let’s get started with the six classic games with water. Check out our favorite outdoor water games for a cooling summertime activity.
Water Balloon Toss
Water balloon games are a must. This classic game is a great way to beat the heat and have some fun with friends. All you need is a group of people and a bunch of water balloons. Form two lines facing each other, and give the first person in each line a balloon.
On the count of three, they’ll toss the balloon to the person across from them. If the balloon pops or someone drops their water bombs, they’re out! Keep going until there’s only one person left in each line, and then the two winners will face off against each other. Now, without a doubt, this is considered fun water games at home!
Sprinkler Races
This is a great game for young kids who love to run around and get wet. The hose is a great resource. Set up a sprinkler in your yard or park, and then have the kids line up at one end. On your go, they’ll race to the other end and back again. The first player to cross the finish line is the winner! You can even make this a team relay race full of challenges and obstacles.
Water Balloon Piñata
Pop! This game is a fun twist on the classic piñata. Instead of candy, fill up a water balloon piñata with water and tie it to a tree branch or other high surface like a clothesline. Then, have the kids take turns hitting it with a stick or plastic bat until it bursts open and drenches them with water! This game is must in the great outdoor water games for families list! It’s perfect for a very hot day.
Sponge Relay Races
Split everyone into teams and line them up at the start line. At the other end of the course, place a bucket filled with water. The first person in each team will dip their sponge into the bucket, run to the other end and wring it out over the next person’s head, then pass the sponge off. In this water relay, the team that finishes first is the winner!
You can twist this game up. Make it a challenge by mixing it up with some bubbles. Use Dawn, bubble bath or Johnson no-tear baby shampoo. Instead of pouring over the next player’s head, be the first team to move the most water from one bucket to the next with a sponge toss as the mode of transportation.
Squirt Gun Tag
This game is a blast for kids of all ages. One person is “it” and has to chase down the other players and tag them with their squirt gun. Once someone is tagged, they’re out. The last person standing is the winner! If you are looking for something with younger kids, this water play is a toddler approved game.
Water Obstacle Course
Sprinklers, kiddie pools, and slip and slides can bring together one amazing obstacle course with water. Gather all the water supplies you have include buckets, spray bottles, cups, t-shirts, and spray bottles. Map out your backyard as you navigate a path from one water activity to the next. Introduce as much water as you want with running sprinklers, hoses, water guns and more. You can time this DIY water course or just make it a fun challenge to master.
Where can I play water games?
Water games are perfect anywhere you can be outside. You can use these game ideas at a location or even in your own front yard. Play by a stream of water, at a large water resource or use a baby pool as your water resource.
Consider these fun places to play water games.
- Backyard
- Beach
- Lake
- Park
- Camping
- River
- Creek
- Birthday Party
- Swimming Pool
- Garden
- Driveway
- School
Games that include water are best for hot days which makes summertime or warm environments pretty ideal.
More Water Games for Outside
STOP – The fun doesn’t end here!
If those six water game ideas whet your pallet, then you are going to want to check out these additional splash-tastic water games. Enjoy 71 more outdoor water activities you can play in any body of water. Whether at the lake, pool, beach or even in your own backyard, we have a huge list of water games for adults’ and kids alike.
Minute to Win It Water Games
If you’re looking for quick and fun outdoor water games, then these 16 Water Minute to Win it Games are for you! They are super easy games to do outdoors and kids always love them. These games are great as ice breakers. These 60 second challenges are movers and shakers meaning if you are bored of one game, you move on to the next. Some of the games included are Pass the Water, Spray Off, and the Sponge Relay.
- Pop the Balloons
- Pass the Water
- Spray Off
- Squirt Gun Car Race
- Sponge Relay
- Puddle Jumper
- Nose Mover
- Ka-Broom
- T-Shirt Party
- Defy Gravity
- Quarter Stuck in Teeth
- Suck it Up
- Water Bottle Toss
- Water Balloon Game Toss
- Penny Drop
- Bottle Toss
Lake Games
Headed to the lake? While boating is always fun, there are time you want to enjoy activities and games along the waterline. These 19 Lake Games are perfect for a beach or grassy area near the lake. Fill a bucket of water or kiddie pool with lake water and let the games begin. These family friendly games are kind of like your own family Olympics. Play them at a family reunion!
- Face the Cookie
- Spoons
- Fire Tender
- Pass the Water
- Bottle Flip
- Sardines
- 3 Flies Up
- Frisbee Golf
- Water Bottle Toss
- Flick & Sticks
- Puddle Jumper
- Snack Cap
- Sponge Relay
- Sleeping Bag Races
- Flashlight Tag
- 20 Questions
- I’m Going to the Lake House
- Marshmallow Pong
- Water Bomb Catch
Pool Games
If you don’t own your own pool, headed to a community pool or neighborhood swimming pool. These 18 Pool Party Games are ideal for a crowd. Excellent for a pool birthday party or teen youth group. There are classic games like wet shirt relay (the clean version) and Marco Polo or twist it up with unique games like the greasy watermelon (you will love this one!)
- Invisi-bottle
- Sea Horse Relay
- Joust
- Bottom Dwellers
- Ball Squirt
- The Greasy Watermelon
- Hungry Hippos
- Numbers Crunch
- So You Think You Can Dance?
- Pool Noodle Relay
- Sharks and Minnows
- Octopus Pool Tag
- Duck Push
- Pick-Up Sticks Relay
- Marco Polo
- Balloon Collector
- Sponge Relay
- Wet Shirt Relay
Beach Games
If you’re near a shore, there are plenty of 17 Beach Water Games you can play! Try building a sandcastle, playing frisbee, or going for a swim. If you have a ball, you can also play water polo or beach volleyball. Just make sure to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade often to avoid getting too sunburned. Grab a towel and enjoy the fun.
- Mini Golf
- Squirt Ball Relay
- Beach Towel Parachute
- Musical Towels
- Beach Bowling
- Shell Shuffle
- Five Hole Sand Hole
- Flick n Sticks
- Frisbee Golf
- Water Bucket Relay
- Beach Blow
- Hot Potato
- Sponge Relay
- Beach Theme Scavenger Hunt
- Beach Ball Relay
- Pass the Water
- Wet Shirt Relay
Trampoline Games
Have you ever put a sprinkler under the trampoline. If not, you are missing out on some fun! The trampoline is a perfect place for backyard water games. These 16 Trampoline Games include a water balloon toss.
- Rock Paper Scissors (with your body!)
- Bombs Away
- Pirate Leg Stand
- Gaga Ball
- Castle Attack
- Bum Wars
- Dodge Ball
- Air Ball
- Telephone
- Crack the Egg
- Birds in the Nest
- Lava Ball (Poison Ball)
- Freeze Bounce
- Keep It Up
- Reverse Limbo
- Rope Snake
All of these printables include what you need to organize water games. These printable water games come with easy to understand water game instructions and a supply list so you are easily prepared. Just pick the game set that fits your environment and download and print.
Summertime is the perfect time to get outside and have some fun in the sun with these outdoor water games. So, grab your friends and family, get ready for water toys, and get ready to cool off! These outdoor water games for families and friends are a huge hit.
Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your outside water games ideas for teens, adults and young kids. Leave a comment here or on Pinterest! Let us know your favorites!
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.
