Just add water... and you'll have a birthday party that really makes a splash!
By Amanda Kingloff and Taryn Mohrman from Parents Magazine
Pump up the playlist while kids dash and dance through a sea of sprinklers. When the music stops everyone must freeze!
Inflatable Fun
Inflatable Fun
A bucket of water balloons is all kids need to have a splashing good time with these game:
Game: Pass + Pop
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.
Game: Dodge Balloon
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.
Game: Water Break
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.
Easy Ice Cream
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.
Game: Quick Draw
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.
Game: Ice Breaker
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!
Towel Decor
Towel Decor
A colorful clothesline will help set the scene and provide a place to dry towels between games.
Swim Swag
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.