Check out this awesome backyard water party for summer!
Shaving cream pool, colored ice cubes, water balloon pinatas, and more.
Great for Memorial Day, 4th of July, summer birthday parties, Labor Day, or just a relaxing day outside together with friends and family.
See all the details below!
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We never dreamed this post from a hot, frugal birthday party years ago would still be making its rounds on the interwebs,
but it’s been a pleasure sharing this special memory and popular water balloon piñata idea with so many of you.
Thanks for stopping in!
When our first son turned five, we invited several families to a local park for a low-key treasure hunt party.
Our house wasn’t big so we decided outdoor space would accommodate guests better.
Then for our second son’s big number five,
the pressure was on to host another spectacular outdoor party.
And by spectacular, I mean carve aside $50 and get creative!
Seriously, this wet and wildly fun birthday bash cost all of fifty dollars on my shoestring budget.
But the memories are priceless.
Here’s how we hosted ten kiddos and their mamas for an unforgettable backyard water party.
Knowing July would be brutally hot outside,
we decided a WATER party in our own backyard was the perfect way to save money AND stay cool.
And that we did.
The ten kids had so much fun together.
Surprisingly, they didn’t even complain about the heat and actually begged to stay longer.
Although, I can’t say the same for the moms, ha ha!
I can’t blame them, though, as the temps neared 100 degrees that day!
Maybe we need squirt bottles next time to keep the moms cool.
Thank goodness for a shade tree where adults congregated in comfy chairs while the kids ran around like crazy people.
The party lasted two hours, just enough time for a bunch of kindergartners to wear themselves out.
Here are tips and ideas from the party with convenient affiliate links below.
We hope this helps you have a blast in your own backyard, too!
BACKYARD WATER PARTY IDEAS
Cute invitations kicked off the festivities. We sent them to our ten little friends.
When the children arrived, they were all greeted with their very own pair of goggles marked in Sharpie with their names.
These kids always vie for goggles at the pool why not kick things off with everyone getting their very own.
I thought they’d want them especially for…
the irresistibly messy shaving cream pool!
But alas, they did just fine without the goggles. Thankfully, no burning eyes.
Make sure you have a can of shaving cream for each kiddo because they will certainly go through it all.
The kids absolutely loved this and covered themselves over and over.
Shaving cream, rinse, repeat!
Once they were covered in shaving cream,
they headed to the sprinkler for a fun, splashy rinse.
The kiddos also enjoyed blowing bubbles to their hearts content.
No worries of sticky, soapy skin. Sprinklers and slip-n-slides had us covered for clean-up.
And while we were getting messy, why not a little finger mural painting for our aspiring Picasos.
It was easy peasy to tape up some long paper on the fence.
Just keep the very serious art station away from the water fun.
When the kiddos are done creating, the sprinkler and slip-n-slide clean the paint right off the kids.
First, the kiddos teamed up for some water balloon toss.
Which team could keep passing their balloon back and forth the longest without it breaking?
My hubby had them move further and further apart as the game went along.
This is a great way to not have all the balloons broken within seconds, ha ha.
And while the kiddos don’t like losing, they can’t help but enjoy the water balloon breaking and getting wet.
Next, once the toss game got old…
we let them break into an all out water balloon fight, of course!
WATER PARTY FINGER FOODS
Watermelon wedges, finger PBJ’s, and potato chips were served for snacks.
Perhaps use sunflower seed butter if there are peanut allergies to consider.
Be sure to ask the moms if these snacks are safe for their children.
For drinks, we made colored Kool-Aid ice cubes ahead of time.
And the kids enjoyed cups of water cooled with the colored cubes.
Milk-free and egg-free cupcake cones were the highlight treat.
I decorated them with light blue icing topped with gummy Lifesavers for rafts.
Kids always love cake in a cone, and we didn’t need one single utensil for this party!
Thoughtful gifts from family and friends were opened outside.
And my personal favorite, the water balloon piñatas made for a bright, cheery decoration in the backyard.
WATER BALLOON PINATAS
We broke the colorful piñatas as the grand finale.
And of course the kids loved this part the best!
Consider latex-free balloons if someone has a latex allergy.
Use actual balloons, not small water balloons. These make the best water balloon piñatas!
Use plenty of caution with water balloon piñatas:
- Have kids go one at a time, keeping the wait line far back.
- Have plenty of adult supervision, especially with hitting balloons
- Don’t blindfold the kids, it’s way too hard
- Consider using a plastic bat for hitting the balloons
There were enough water balloon piñatas for each kiddo to break one.
Nobody could miss out on the excitement of whacking a hanging water balloon with a stick!
However, we did have the kiddos line up and take turns.
One flying stick at a time, safety first!
These kiddos were about age five and blindfolds weren’t necessary.
It was challenge enough to break the water balloons with a broom stick, eyes wide open.
And trust me, the fun of getting splashed with a hanging water balloon left no kid wishing for candy instead.
FAVORS FOR A WATER PARTY
However, we did hand out allergy-friendly Swedish Fish as the little guests left.
They were cutely packaged in small see-through cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon.
The perfect way to say thanks for coming to our party.
Plus, the kids also got to take their goggles home as a fun souvenir.
I just love practical party favors! Don’t you?
- gummy Lifesavers
- gummy fish
- swim goggles
Undoubtedly, this was a day our family won’t ever forget.
My little guy still talks about it with his friends nearly a decade later. He’s not so little anymore.
And we moms still laugh about how darn hot it got.
I hope you get to beat the heat with your own backyard water party, complete with water balloon piñatas, very soon!
You can save this water party on Pinterest for later.
MORE BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS
THANKS FOR SHARING
A big thank-you to so many who’ve shared our fun water party over the years.
We are so glad you like it!
Originally posted on July 19, 2012.
k
Tuesday 3rd of May 2022
Wow! I was searching the web for ideas to keep my granddaughter entertained this summer. these ideas are awesome and are way more than i ever imagined. can’t wait to try them! tyfs!!
Jamie Kaufmann
Thursday 5th of May 2022
Hi K! We are so glad you're inspired. You sound like an amazing grandmother! Have fun!
Susan K Inman
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
I can't even believe what a TERRIFIC birthday planner you are! I read & thought well this is a cute idea, but then I had to keep reading & reading bec you had soooo many fun games & activities to do...good on ya..and yes the kids DO remember...and then try & do the same fr their kids. PS..after 19 yrs, I'm going to be a grandma again...hmm..maybe I'll save this!
Jamie Kaufmann
Friday 29th of April 2022
Aw Susan, thanks so much. Your kind words made my day.
Penney
Friday 17th of April 2020
Was the piñata episode like normal ? Or did Each kid get to hit one and get wet ?
Michelle
Wednesday 15th of April 2020
You should definitely consider using eco friendly balloons. Alot of ppl don't realize they're a thing. Loved all the ideas. We will def check these out!
Jamie Kaufmann
Thursday 16th of April 2020
Great idea, Michelle! I'd be all for that. This party was 7 years ago, and we sure did pick up all the pieces. I'm excited to look for an eco friendly option!
Vicki Piper
Friday 23rd of March 2018
I don't understand what the shaving cream was for. Do kids like rolling around in it?
Jamie Kaufmann
Saturday 24th of March 2018
Vicki, yes, they just love playing in it. Ha ha!