A water party is great summer fun.
Summer usually means hot weather, and a great way to beat the heat is with a birthday party full of water activities. Swimming pools are great, but not necessary for a fun-filled birthday celebration with a luau, beach or other water theme. With a little planning and a few supplies, your water-themed birthday party can be the best party of the summer. Does this Spark an idea?
Musical Sprinkler Freeze
All you need for this simple game is a hose and sprinkler. Play some fun music, such as the Beach Boys, while participants dance and pose. When the music stops, players freeze and the sprinkler is turned on. Players must stay frozen until the music begins again and the water is turned off. Anyone who moves before then is out of the game. The last player left wins.
The Splat Game
For this game, you need a flat surface, water balloons, chalk and a measuring tape. Each player holds his balloon over his head and throws it on the flat surface. Use the chalk to outline the splash while it is still wet, then compare outlines after everyone has had a turn. Use the measuring tape for splashes close in size. The biggest splash is the winner.
Sponge Relays
Sponge relays can be played two different ways. Both versions require a big sponge and a bucket filled with water for each team. The first version also requires an empty bucket. Team members race to the full bucket, fill the sponge with water and run back to start. The first member of each team squeezes the sponge into her team's empty bucket, then passes the sponge to the next player. The first team to fill their empty bucket wins.
Alternatively, team members run to the water-filled bucket and soak the sponge with water. Then they squeeze the water onto their heads and run back to pass the sponge to the next person in line. The team that finishes first wins the game.
Spraychestra
This game takes a little more planning. Tie a rope or clothes line between two poles or trees. Hang trash can lids, plastic buckets, cups, wind chimes and other items likely to make noise when hit with a spray of water. Players use either a hose with a spray nozzle or water guns to hit the items and make "music."
Crossing the River
This is the only game that actually requires a swimming pool. Use rope to tie two parallel lines across the length of the pool. Divide the players into two teams and give each team an inflatable raft. Divide each team in half and station one half at each end of the pool. Each team member must stand in the raft and pull herself along the rope to the other side of the pool, switching places with the next team member. First team with all members crossing the pool once is declared the winner.
Tags: each team, empty bucket, with water, birthday party, flat surface