“It’s a Splash!”
Party Ideas
Summer is coming. Which means barbeques, birthdays and
beautiful days. Why not take advantage by splashing on some
excitement? My family and I always have a wonderful time with our friends, but large get-togethers or even impromptu play dates always seem more fun with some loosely planned out activities. Here are just a few ideas to help you as you brainstorm...
Supplies List
(Most items can be
found at a local dollar store)
·
Goggles (enough for each participant)
·
Water Balloons
·
Water Guns (enough for each participant)
·
Sponges
·
Plastic Cups
·
Inexpensive Kiddie Pool
·
Small plastic toys (toy spiders, bracelets,
etc.)
·
Paper
·
Plastic Colanders
·
Buckets
Snack Ideas
(In keeping with the
theme)
·
Watermelon
·
Blue finger gelatin
·
Blue popsicles
·
Goldfish Puffs
·
Blue Punch
Activity Ideas
(All activities should
be supervised by an adult. Goggles should be worn during all activities)
Water Balloon Toss
(Back and forth
between two partners. One person announces when to toss. All teams toss at the
same time. Players take one step back between each toss. If the balloon breaks,
they are out. Last team standing wins!)
Basket Catch
(Everyone is divided
into equal teams. To keep score, one adult should supervise each team. One
person per team will hold a colander on their head. Remaining team members each
get a water balloon. Each member of the team takes turns tossing the water
balloon into the colander. The team scores each time the water balloon hits the
inside of the colander-weather the balloon breaks or not. The game continues by
rotating team members, allowing each teammate a turn to catch the balloons with
the colander. The team with the most points wins!)
Dive for Treasure
(Divide the group into
equal teams. Fill a kiddie pool with water. Place small plastic toys, enough
for each team, into the kiddie pool. Give each team a list of –treasure-items
to find. Teammates take turns-one teammate at a time, relay style- searching in
the kiddie pool for the items on the list. The team who finds all of the items
on the list first-wins!)
Soggy Relay
(Divide group into
equal teams. One player is selected to hold a plastic cup on their head. This
player steps away from the team at least ten paces. Other teammates form a line
behind a bucket, filled with water and a sponge. Teammate take turns soaking up
water into the sponge then running to the person with the cup on his/her head
and squeezing the water from the sponge into the cup. The team who fills the
cup with water the soonest wins! This game can be repeated, allowing each
teammate a turn to hold the cup over their head.)
Scavenger Hunt
(Here is where you can
really let your creative juices fly! Create a set of clues that the group can
follow to complete a scavenger hunt. I recommend you tell the group to imagine
that they are in an underwater adventure. Or, if you prefer, search for or
borrow different water sport items and leave them around the area for the hunt.
For instance, you could have an oar resting on the corner of a house. The clue
could read “You wouldn’t want to find yourself up a creek without me”. The
treasure at the end of the scavenger hunt could be a water gun for each attendee).
Good, Old-Fashioned
Water Fight
(Set clear boundaries
before the fight is to begin. Set up tents, tarps and other obstacles to make
it more interesting. Leave buckets of water balloons around for extra ammo. Use
a whistle or other device as a start/stop signal and have at it! For older
kids, this activity could be included in a game of “capture the flag”.)
I hope that as a result of this post, some creative wheels
are spinning. Clearly, some of the above are not my original ideas, but I have included them because they have stood the test of time. I have arranged this post to read as an agenda if a reader were looking for an entire party plan. Feel free to glean whatever you like in planning your own aquatic adventure. Remember, safety first and have a
splash!
