Summer Outdoor Games for Kids: Water Balloon Golf

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by twid via Flickr.com

It's hot outside, but the kids are bored with nothing to do. As a mom and former nanny, I've had to be creative in similar situations numerous times. Playing some sports can quickly make the kids even more hot and tired - and cranky too. Not fun at all! One way to solve that problem is to add a variation to the sports that allows for some cooling off. Water Balloon Golf can keep the kids busy for a while without the summer sun ruining the fun. This is basically a more active version of golf.

Materials
children's golf clubs, tees, and balls (enough for all kids who will play)
garden spade
small plastic cups
water balloons

Game Setup
Before game play, someone will need to set up the golf course. This can easily be done in the backyard or at a local park. Map out the course and dig a hole the size of the cup bottoms for each golf-ball hole. Stick the cups into the holes. If this is done at a local park, you will need plastic holes for the golf balls, instead of the garden spade and cups. This is just because you don't want to be digging up property that isn't yours.

How to Play Water Balloon Golf
This game of golf is played almost the same as a regular game of golf or miniature golf, depending on preference and skill level of the kids. Each kid needs to have a golf club and ball. It helps if each child has a particular color ball and all colors are different. This way there are no disagreements over which belongs to whom. You also may wish to take a permanent marker or strip of tape and use it to mark each golf club. If possible, match the tees to the balls as well. This helps avoid some of the arguments.

Once the kids are all setup, the first player can start by hitting his or her ball to make an attempt at the first hole. Anytime the player does not get a hole-in-one, someone will throw a water balloon at that player. The player can choose to run to try to avoid it, but if it's extra hot outside, they may readily welcome it. Only one balloon is allowed for each try by a player. If the water balloon lands on the ground without breaking, the player can pick it up and throw it at someone else. This can be repeated until the balloon breaks open.

Also, if that player misses the hole-in-one, once the balloon throwing is finished, it is the next player's turn. Game play continues until each player has completed the golf course. Be sure to have enough water balloons to allow for several missed tries for each player. If there are extra water balloons after the kids play Water balloon Golf, the kids can continue throwing water balloons at each each other.

*Remember to tell kids not to throw too hard and also not to throw at faces or deliberately try to hurt each other.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network