With extreme heat in the Summer months, instead of staying indoors in air conditioning, these wildly fun water games will help you beat the heat and keep your kids cool (plus, keep them active, without overheating!)
25 Best Outdoor Water Games to Keep Cool This Summer
It feels like the minute school is out and we enter Summer break, the temperature shoots up quickly. I’m always on the prowl for active ideas to do outside (because being in nature and barefoot on the ground not only promotes overall wellbeing but calms the nervous system) and throw in water, it’s sure to be a hit!
I don’t always want to take the kids to the pool everyday, so having these creative water games, DIY water activities, and simple water crafts are great to have in your back pocket for hot days in your own backyard instead of packing up and heading to the pool.
It’s time to get outside and have some fun – but don’t forget to stay hydrated and put on sunscreen or wear sun protective clothing if you’re in the sun at peak times or for long periods of time.
Water balloons might be a part of 50% of these activities shared in this article and I highly recommend the auto-fill water ballon type.
The Best Outdoor Water Activities
Water balloon volleyball by It’s Always Autumn – who doesn’t love water balloons when it’s hot.
Build your own slip and slide by All Things Thrifty – grab your friends and neighbors
and create a giant slip and slide to cool off.
Make a giant water blob in your own backyard by Clumsy Crafter.
This is chalk full of create ideas by the Meaningful Mama to create a
water obstacle course in your own backyard.
Make a water balloon launcher just like Frugal Fun 4 Boys
If you’re crafty and have time to create this, it’d be a hit all summer long by Classy Clutter
Convert your trampoline to a water park like One She Two She
Build your own homemade sprinkler with instructions by Housing a Forest
This looks like hours and hours of entertaining water fun. How to make your own water wall by Babble Dabble Do
This may just be the most fun kids will have this summer with these DIY Mini Water Blobs via Hello, Wonderful
Active kids? Make your own water knee hockey game by Somewhat Simple
DIY Water Blasters for a blast in the sun by Momendeavors
The Best Outdoor Water Games
This makes me cold just thinking about it. A frozen t-shirt race is a great
“beat the heat” activity by A Girl and a Glue Gun
A friendly little competition with squirt guns created by All For the Boys
Your kids will have good clean fun with Milk Bottle Water Balloon Toss by Kid Friendly Things to Do
Pass the water (backwards) by A Girl and a Glue Gun
Ice Bowling created by Learn Play Imagine
Water balloon Piñata isn’t complete without a few spins and blindfold by Fireflies and Mud Pies
Water balloon colander catch! (source unknown)
Colored shaving cream twister game (source unknown)
The Best Outdoor Water Crafts
Let your kids make masterpieces with Rainbow Ice Cub Painting from Things to Share and Remember
Your sidewalk will never look so good thanks to Frozen Paint Cubes from Hands on as We Grow
Vibrant art to decorate the neighborhood sidewalks with Wet Sidewalk Chalk by Apartment Therapy
Take little imaginations outdoors with tin Foil River and Mini Ice Boats by Reading Confetti
Create a sensory bin of water, tubes, tunnels and toys and watch imagination fire up by Happy Hooligans
More Ideas for Summer Fun and Outdoor Play:
- 8 Fun Games To Play Outside At Night With Kids
- Explore the Outdoors – Sensory Scavenger Hunt for Kids (Free Printable)
- 18 Fun & Easy Outdoor Activities for Kids to Play Outside
- 50 Screen-Free Activities for Kids This Summer
- Summer I Spy Printable Game Sheets (4 Free Sheets)
- Camping with Kids: 21 Camping Games & Activities to Entertain Kids
Want even more?
Shop All Parenting Resources
Shop all of our parenting resources from self-regulation tools and managing big emotions to building self esteem and confidence. There are resources for all seasons of life!
