7 Water Games To Keep Your Young Guests Cool

Throwing a summer party with young guests? Then it's time to keep those kiddos busy. Water games are a ton of fun and will keep your crowd giggling until it's time for ice cream. Give these low prep games a try - they're perfect for the young (and the young at heart).

1. Sponge Toss: We've yet to meet a kid who doesn't love chucking something into a bucket. And if that something is a soaking wet sponge? Even better. Set up a couple of buckets, soak some clean sponges, and hand them over. Or if you really want to pull out all the stops, check out this tutorial for "sponge bombs." They're easy to make and guaranteed to delight.  

2. Water Balloon Games: There are infinite takes on this classic idea. Fill up some water balloons, set up some buckets or unbreakable cups, and have the kids start tossing. Assign point values to different buckets, or use different sizes for added difficulty. Toss the balloons back and forth to each other, or do an egg race with a small balloon and a big spoon. 

3. Sprinkler Games: There's something about a sprinkler that brings out the kid in all of us. Your guests will likely have a blast just running back and forth over a sprinkler, but if you want to take it up a notch try implementing some of the games you'll find here.

4. Kiddie Pool Toe Fishing: Fill up a kiddie pool, drop in some prizes, and encourage your guests to fish them out. The only caveat - they need to use their toes! Let them keep what they "fish," or give them the option to trade in for a bigger prize at the end. 

5. Frozen T-Shirt Race: This one is guaranteed to get everyone laughing. The night before, soak and freeze a t-shirt for each guest.. Later, hold a race to see who can get their shirt on first. Get a full rundown of how to pull this one off here.

6. Water Balloon Sports: There are lots of sports that are way more fun once water balloons get involved. Take baseball. One guest throws a balloon, the other one whacks at it with a bat. Chances are good everyone's going to get wet. Or what about dodgeball? It's about what it sounds like: kids run around chucking balloons at each other. Water balloon tennis? Sure! Water balloon golf? Why not? Water balloon croquet? We're not quite sure how that would work, but if you have an idea then go for it!

7. Water Fight: Let's face it: kids are generally pretty easy to please. They're going to love having some games laid out for them, but they're also going to be just as happy with a big pile of water balloons. Just fill up some balloons and let them have at it. All you have to do is sit back with a drink and enjoy the laughter.