Supplies 2 or more empty buckets 1 (or more) bucket(s) of pre-made water balloons Hula hoop, or some other "marker" for each team Setup 1. Designate a starting area. 2. Place a hula hoop or other such marker on the ground to serve as the starting point for each team. 3. Set the bucket of water balloons in an easy access area for each team. (If you like you may use one bucket of water balloons per team, in which case it is suggested that you just place the bucket in each team's hula hoop). 4. Place an empty bucket directly across from each team's starting hoop (as far as you can - 20 to 30 feet is great, but not necessary, it's just as fun with 10 feet if need be). How to Play 1. Divide kids into teams and have them line up one behind the other behind (not in) their hula hoop/marker. 2. On "go," the first person from each team grabs a water balloon and places it under their chin. 3. Without using their hands, they must make their way to their empty team bucket and release the water balloon into the bucket. If along the way, they drop their water balloon and it pops they run back to their team and tag the next person. If it doesn't pop, they may pick up the balloon, put it under their chin and continue to the bucket. 4. Once the balloon has been delivered to the bucket (or has popped along the way) the person runs back to their line and tags the next person. 5. Once tagged, the next person may go. 6. Play continues until everyone has gone. When the team is finished they should sit down so the leaders will know they are done. 7. Count up the number of safely delivered balloons (balloons that have broken in the bucket count as delivered - however, the balloon pieces must be in the bucket, not right next to it). The team with the most balloons wins. Variations 1. NON-COMPETITIVE version: set up one receiving bucket only and have kids work for the goal of seeing how many total balloons they can deliver as a group. Make it more about individual achievement and actually making it to the bucket. 2. Choose a delivery system other than under the chin: use elbows only, or the under arm, try between the knees (as in penguin waddle) 3. To make it a bit tougher you can require the balloon to be delivered to the bucket - meaning that if the balloon is dropped and popped the player must run back and get a new water balloon (and keep doing so until they have delivered the balloon safely). Penguin Variation: instead of putting the balloon under your chin, put it between your knees and waddle around! Tips 1. Make sure you have plenty of water balloons. 2. Make sure that only the player whose turn it is has a water balloon (otherwise chaos will ensue) 3. To help with clean up after the game, issue a challenge! See who can pick up the most broken balloon pieces in 30 seconds. Stats Activity Length 15 - 30 minutes Age Preschool School-age Tween Teen Adult Senior Competitiveness Either/or (can be played either way) Difficulty Easy peasy (fun and simple) Indoor/Outdoor Outdoors Mess Factor Get the push brooms Noise Level Rowdy Number of Players 1 2 3 to 4 5 to 10 10 to 20 20+ Prep Time 10 - 20 minutes Team Division Every man for himself (individual players) Teamwork! (divide into teams) All together now! (everyone works together)
