Want a unique way to cool off on a hot day? Try our Water Balloon Piñata! String up a bunch of water balloons and let the kids whack away at the wiggly, jiggly pods. Although there may not be any candy involved in these piñatas, the treat of getting wet is just as sweet!
Age
Preschool, School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
1, 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 10, 10 to 20Prep Time
10 - 20 minutesTime Length
5 - 15 minutesDifficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor/Outdoor
OutdoorsSpace Needed
Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage), Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
Semi-rambunctiousMess Factor
Dustpan, pleaseSupplies
Setup
1. Tie your rope between two strong points (to make a clothesline), about 2 to 3 feet higher than the average height of your players.
2. Fill your balloons with water one at a time. You want to fill them to about ¾ their normal air-filled size.
3. Instead of tying off the balloon, tie the balloon directly to the rope (this both seals the balloon and secures it to the rope at the same time).
4. Continue filling and tying balloons -- as many as you like, or as many as the rope can bear.
How to Play
1. Line up the players about 10 feet back from the balloons (to protect players from the swinging bat).
2. Hand the first player a bat and have them stand under the balloons. If you wish, you can blindfold the player, then lead them to the balloons.
3. Have the player use the bat to hit the water balloons. If you have enough balloons for each player, then you can let a player swing until they burst a balloon, or if you like, just set a number of swings per player (between 1 and 3 swings).
Variations
1. Use smaller water balloon type balloons. Tie each one to its own string or balloon ribbon and hang from tree branches all around the playing area. Give your players an opened paper clip, toothpick, or pencil and let them pop as many balloons as they can. Hang the balloons at varying heights so they have to jump! Please note: players should be instructed to be careful whenever using a pointy object. They should never run while holding something sharp.
2. Tie your 9-inch balloon to a rope and throw the rope over a tree branch so that you can raise and lower the balloon when players are swinging the bat.
Tips
1. When everyone has had a turn, and all the balloons are popped, give the players a challenge to see how quickly they can pick up the balloon pieces.
2. Always have an adult present to keep the children back and away from the swinging bat.
3. If you have a jungle gym, you can tie the balloons directly to the rungs.
4. You can also use a paper clip to help hang your balloons. A slightly opened paper clip can act as a hook, or the paper clip can be clipped back onto the ribbon to form a loop, as shown in the photo.
