Water balloon games are good, clean, fun with just a hint of treachery. Water Balloon Hot Potato cranks up the suspense as players pass a water balloon from hand-to-hand until the music stops. What happens next is up to the person holding the bag – of water.
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
Number of Players: five to two dozen
Rules for Water Balloon Hot Potato
Arrange players in a circle not too far apart. When the music starts give one player a water balloon to pass to her neighbor. Players continue passing the balloon in the same direction as long as the music is playing.
1. If a player pops the balloon or drops it, the player must leave the circle.
2. When the music stops the player holding the balloon is “out” and must leave the circle – unless she can lob the balloon at another player and hit him.
3. The player who gets hit must leave the circle. If the balloon misses, then the thrower is “out.”
4. The game continues until only two players are left. At this point give each player a water balloon, have them count off ten paces, turn and FIRE! Players can keep lobbing balloons until one is hit.
Set Up
No real set up is necessary, just an open space to play and willing players.
Preparation
Before the event make sure kids know water balloon games are on the agenda, dress appropriately and bring towels.
At least an hour before the game grab a few helpers and start making as many water balloons as possible. Float the balloons in a tub of water. Splurge a little and buy several water balloon nozzles.
Variation:
Try winding up the game by inviting everyone back to the circle and giving water balloons to all but one player. When the music stops, anyone not holding a balloon is out. Anyone who breaks a balloon during play is also out.
When it’s all over, let kids grab balloons and stage all-out war!
Cross-Talk
Transition to lesson time with a few questions: What makes a water balloon so refreshing on a hot summer day? Would a soda pop balloon or a chocolate milk balloon be as fun as water balloons? Why or why not? Why do you suppose Jesus offered his followers living water instead of wine, soda or milk?
