The summer sun has a way of calling us outside. Get the family active and moving, while soaking up the rays! Invite the neighbors, friends, and family to enjoy a water day in your front or back yard. No need to head out to the expensive water parks this year – it’s a DIY kind of summer!
Water Balloons
An inexpensive, silly way to have fun, get wet, and cool off! Grab reusable water balloons, or rapid filling self sealing water balloons! Feeling a bit more old school? Classic water balloons come in a pack of 2,000 for less than $10! Hide filled balloons around the yard like Easter eggs. When the kids fill their pails, they can have a fight! Of course, nothing beats the free for all water balloon fights, either!
Sprinkler Splash Pads
That garden hose is good for more than just watering the flowers in the garden, and feeding the lawn! Score some splash pads that hook right up to it, or get a sprinkler tube tunnel! These inflatable sprinkler tunnels are fun and come in so many cool designs like rainbows, sharks, and so much more! And every backyard water park could use a giant inflatable unicorn sprinkler, right?
Kiddie Pools
Nothing beats just lazing around in the pool, but when you don’t have one in your backyard, you have to get creative! Score a kiddie pool, and throw in some fun diving toys, There are even doggie pools, kiddie pools with built-in shade, and larger kiddie pools with built-in slides! Set up multiple small kiddie pools in your yard and let the kids enjoy a warmer pool, a pool with bubbles in it, and a pool with diving toys!
Water Guns
Point and SQUIRT! Water guns come in tons of different options. The NERF Super Soaker is a popular choice, and for the littles, get them a sweet little animal mini squirt gun! These foam soaker blasters are unique, and you can even get water shields for backyard battles!
Slip n Slide
The classic Slip n Slide has been around since the 1960s! Wow! Since then, many other brands have created their own take on it and enhancing the fun. Some are 2-lane slip n slides to race on with sprinkler squirters along the way! Others come with bodyboards as cool accessories!
Water Tables
Water tables are a fun way to evoke creativity and hand-on play for kids. There are tons of different types with really cool accessories. This Step2 Water Table is highly rated (4.7/5 stars from over 30,000 reviewers!) and the #1 seller on Amazon!
Foam & Bubbles
Foam machines and bubble makers can add a fun ambiance to your backyard water park! You can also give the kids their own bubble wands.
More tips for creating a DIY water park at home
- Create a shady area to get a break from the sun with tents & shades
- Stock up on snacks! Water play is exhausting and hunger-inciting!
- Water misters are a great way to cool off without getting soaked
- Create a DIY car wash for cars, bikes, and tricyles by strategically lining up your sprinklers and splash pads
- Keep lots of bottled water and cooling towels close by in case anyone gets overheated
Have a great water day!
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