Water Birthday Party

Inflatable Fun

A bucket of water balloons is all kids need to have a splashing good time with these game:

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Game: Pass + Pop

Have kids sit or stand in a circle and pass the balloon to their right. When the buzzer goes off, the child holding the water balloon gets to pop it.

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Game: Dodge Balloon

Divide guests into two groups, about 20 feet apart. Have kids pair up and use towels as a slingshot to shoot the water balloons into the other team's zone. Get hit and you're out! Last kid standing wins.

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Game: Water Break

Line kids up in teams and give each a water balloon. Have teammates take turns running across the lawn to sit on their balloon. The first group to pop all of them wins.

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Easy Ice Cream

Dip the edges of mini ice- cream sandwiches into bright colored sprinkles to make this DIY dessert. Add a strip of wax paper and pretty decorative tape to give kids a place to hold their treat.

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Game: Quick Draw

Give a few kids small squirt bottles to use in a game of water tag. If you're sprayed, you're it.

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Game: Ice Breaker

Have children balance a slippery, colored ice cube on a spoon and race across the lawn. First team to the other side wins!

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Towel Decor

A colorful clothesline will help set the scene and provide a place to dry towels between games.

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Swim Swag

For each party guest, personalize a pair of child-size goggles with a splash-shaped tag. $15 for 12; Partypalooza.com

Originally published in the July 2012 issue of Parents magazine.

• Download the tag template.
• Buy goggles from Partypalooza.com.

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