Outdoor Splashing Birthday Party

Just add water... and you'll have a birthday party that really makes a splash!

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Heather Weston

Pump up the playlist while kids dash and dance through a sea of sprinklers. When the music stops everyone must freeze!

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Inflatable Fun

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

Heather Weston

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

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Swim Swag

Heather Weston

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.

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Water Birthday Party

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