As the summer sun blazes down, there’s nothing quite like the joy of splashing around in the backyard. For parents looking to keep their little ones entertained and cool, backyard water fun for kids is the perfect solution.
It provides an excellent way to beat the heat and encourages outdoor play, creativity, and bonding time with family and friends.
It is the middle of the summer, and in my part of the country, it is hot outside. Did I mention it has been over 100 degrees hot? If you want to spend time outside, water must be involved in this kind of weather.
Whether you have a sprawling garden or a cozy patio, you can transform your outdoor space into a water wonderland.
From DIY splash pads to inflatable pools and exciting water games, we’ve curated a list of the best ideas for backyard water fun for kids. Get ready to dive into a summer filled with laughter, adventure, and unforgettable memories that will make this season one for the books!
DIY Water Activities
Marble Run Water Slide
This activity from Mama Papa Bubba involves creating a thrilling water slide for marbles, providing endless entertainment and excitement as they race down the winding track.
Make a Water Wall for Summer STEM
This summer backyard activity from Little Bins for Little Hands involves constructing a DIY water wall, offering a stimulating and interactive sensory experience for children during summer water play with random found items you're sure to have around the house.
Water Fun with Squirt Gun Targets
This summer activity involves setting up an exhilarating squirt gun target challenge, where participants can test their aim and precision by shooting at a variety of creatively designed targets. From stacking cups to hanging plastic bottles, the targets provide an exciting opportunity for both kids and adults to cool off and engage in friendly competition while enjoying the refreshing splash of water on a hot summer day.
DIY Backyard Fishing Activity
This summertime project involves creating a delightful DIY backyard fishing experience, where kids can indulge in the excitement of catching fish right in their own outdoor space. Using simple materials like pool noodles, magnets, and paper clips, children can craft their own fishing rods and bait, transforming their backyard into a mini fishing pond. With the magnetic attraction between the rods and the paperclip fish, kids can enjoy the thrill of reeling in their catches and practicing their coordination and patience.
DIY Water Blob Tutorial
This backyard project involves creating a fascinating water blob that promises hours of fun and entertainment for kids and adults alike. By sealing together plastic sheets and filling it with water, a giant, squishy blob is formed. Whether it's lounging and relaxing on its cool surface, engaging in slippery sliding adventures, or even incorporating watercolors for a unique artistic experience, the water blob provides a unique sensory play opportunity.
Sponge Water Bombs
These sponge water bombs are a safe and fun alternative to traditional water balloons. By cutting sponges into strips and tying them together, these reusable water bombs can be soaked in water and thrown to create a refreshing splash during hot summer days. Perfect for backyard water fights or poolside fun, the sponge water bombs offer a mess-free and eco-friendly option that doesn't require picking up balloon remnants.
How to Make a DIY Splash Pad in 30 Minutes
By using materials like a tarp, sprinklers, and pool noodles, you can design a customized splash pad for endless hours of outdoor fun. With water jets and sprinklers strategically placed, it offers a range of water play options, from gentle sprays to exciting bursts of water. Whether it's jumping through the sprinklers, sliding on the wet tarp, or simply enjoying the sensation of the water splashing around, this DIY splash pad guarantees endless hours of outdoor fun and laughter for the whole family.
How to build a HUGE Slip 'n Slide
This summer activity involves constructing a massive slip 'n slide, creating an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for people of all ages. By using plastic sheeting, water, and a gentle slope, you can create a thrilling slide that stretches across your backyard. With its generous size, the slip 'n slide offers plenty of room for endless sliding adventures and laughter. Whether it's racing friends and family down the slippery surface, performing daring jumps and twists, or simply gliding along the cool water, this DIY slip 'n slide guarantees hours of fun and excitement on hot summer days.
DIY Soda Bottle Sprinkler
This summer activity involves transforming a soda bottle into a homemade sprinkler, offering a creative and refreshing way to cool off and have fun outdoors. By making small holes in the bottle and attaching it to a hose, you can create a sprinkler that sprays water in all directions. This DIY soda bottle sprinkler provides a budget-friendly and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought sprinklers, allowing children to exercise their imagination and resourcefulness.
DIY Water Blasters
This summer backyard fun involves creating DIY water blasters that double as a kiddie sprinkler, providing a delightful and refreshing playtime experience. By repurposing plastic bottles and attaching them to a hose, kids can enjoy the thrill of squirting water and cooling off while running through the gentle sprinkler spray. With their customized water blasters in hand, children can engage in imaginative water battles, challenging their friends or simply enjoying the refreshing sensation of the water.
FAQs – You Have Questions We Have Answers
How does a backyard splash pad differ from an inflatable pool regarding setup and maintenance?
When it comes to backyard water fun for kids, both splash pads and inflatable pools offer fantastic options, each with unique benefits and challenges.
Setting up a backyard splash pad typically involves laying out a flat, durable mat that can be connected to a garden hose.
This setup is generally quick and straightforward, often requiring just a few minutes. Maintenance involves ensuring the mat is debris-free and occasionally checking for leaks or tears.
In contrast, setting up an inflatable pool requires more effort and time. You’ll need to inflate the pool, which can be done manually or using an air pump, and then fill it with water.
This process can take significantly longer, depending on the pool’s size. Maintenance for inflatable pools is also more intensive, involving regular water changes, cleaning to prevent algae buildup, and ensuring the inflatable structure remains puncture-free.
While both options promise endless hours of backyard water fun for kids, the choice between a splash pad and an inflatable pool will depend on your available time for setup and maintenance, as well as your space and budget considerations.
Are there any eco-friendly alternatives to traditional sprinklers for water play?
Traditional sprinklers can be fun but often lead to significant water waste.
Fortunately, several eco-friendly alternatives provide just as much excitement for backyard water fun for kids.
One popular option is using a rain barrel to collect rainwater, which can be repurposed for water play.
Attach a hose to the barrel and let the kids enjoy water games without impacting your water bill or the environment. Another great idea is to create a DIY drip irrigation system with reclaimed materials. Set up a series of plastic bottles with small holes and connect them to a low-flow water source.
This setup uses less water and can be a fun project for the kids to help assemble. Additionally, consider using a soaker hose designed to minimize water waste by delivering water directly to the ground.
Lay the hose out in creative patterns or zigzags for children to run through, turning it into a playful and eco-friendly sprinkler alternative. Lastly, explore using hand or foot pumps to power small water features, encouraging physical activity while conserving water. These sustainable methods ensure that backyard water fun for kids is enjoyable and kind to the planet.
How can I create a safe and fun environment for a backyard water balloon fight?
A backyard water balloon fight is a thrilling way for kids to enjoy some backyard water fun, but safety is paramount to ensure everyone has a blast without any mishaps.
First, choose a soft, grassy area to minimize the risk of falls and injuries.
Clear the area of any sharp objects or debris that could pose a hazard. To make clean-up easier and more eco-friendly, use biodegradable water balloons.
Designate clear boundaries for the play zone and establish some basic rules, such as not aiming for the face and maintaining a safe distance from others.
Have a few buckets or containers filled with pre-made water balloons to keep the action going without constant refills.
Providing safety goggles can protect kids’ eyes from potential water balloon fragments. To structure the chaos, encourage teamwork, and strategize fun, lighthearted games like Capture the Flag or team-based competitions.
Remember to have towels and a first-aid kit nearby in case of slips or minor scrapes. With these precautions, your backyard water balloon fight will be an enjoyable and safe activity for kids of all ages.
I hope this gives you ideas on getting outside and having backyard water fun while keeping safe.
