The Best Water Blaster Games for Kids

Summer afternoons call for water, and a water blaster makes everything more fun. But after a few rounds of spraying each other, kids are often ready for a new challenge. These three Water Blaster Games give them a goal to work toward, and they’re easy to set up with supplies you probably already have at home.

Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a backyard playdate, or just looking for a way to keep the kids cool and entertained, these games are simple to prepare and packed with fun.

Why You’ll Love These Water Blaster Games

These easy water blaster games are just as fun for adults to set up as they are for kids to play. Whether you’re hosting a backyard playdate, planning a birthday party, or looking for a way to cool off on a hot afternoon, these activities are always a crowd-pleaser.

They’re budget-friendly, too. Inexpensive dollar store water blasters work perfectly, and each game requires just a few simple supplies you may already have at home. The games are also flexible enough for any group size, whether two kids are playing together or a whole class or party wants to join in.

With a mix of competitive and cooperative challenges, there’s something for every personality. Kids who love to race can compete for the fastest time, while others may prefer working together in the Ping-Pong Ball Float challenge. Along the way, they’ll stay active by running, aiming, and laughing together as they burn off energy outdoors.

Best of all, these games are suitable for ages 4 and up. Younger children can join in with a little assistance, while older kids can enjoy the added excitement of friendly competition.

What You Need

For all three games, you’ll need one water blaster per player. Inexpensive dollar store versions work great, especially if you’re on a budget. If you’re hosting a larger group, consider purchasing a bulk pack so everyone can join in the fun.

The 3 Best Water Blaster Games for Kids

One game is competitive, one is cooperative, and one is pure chaos! Read through the instructions before you start so you can gather all of the supplies you’ll need ahead of time.

1. Dot Blaster Wars

What you need: Water blasters, washable paint, a round sponge brush

This fast-paced, competitive game is easy for kids to learn and even more fun to play. Before the game begins, use a round sponge brush to dab washable paint onto each child’s shirt, giving each player 5 to 10 bright-colored dots.

Once play starts, kids use their water blasters to wash the paint dots off one another’s shirts. When a player loses all of their dots, they’re out. The last player with at least one dot remaining is the winner.

Tip: Stick to one or two paint colors per player so it’s easy to tell the dots apart. If kids are playing on teams, choose contrasting colors to make them easier to identify.

2. Ping-Pong Ball Float

What you need: Water blasters, a ping-pong ball, a bucket, a pitcher

This is the only cooperative game of the bunch, and it may be the trickiest. Fill a bucket partway with water and place a ping-pong ball in the bottom of an empty pitcher nearby.

Players work together by using their water blasters to transfer water from the bucket into the pitcher. Their goal is to add enough water to make the ping-pong ball float up and out of the pitcher.

It sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly challenging. The teamwork, anticipation, and excitement of watching the ball slowly rise make this game a favorite with kids of all ages.

Tip: Adjust the difficulty by moving the bucket closer to or farther from the pitcher. For younger children, use a wider pitcher so it fills more quickly.

3. Bun Blasters

What you need: Water blasters, stale hamburger buns, twine or string, two trees (or posts)

This is the chaotic, messy game that kids absolutely love! String a piece of twine between two trees like a clothesline, then thread one stale hamburger bun onto the line for each player.

On “go,” players use their water blasters to soak their bun until it falls off the string. The first player to blast their bun to the ground wins.

Stale buns work better than fresh ones because they hold their shape longer before breaking apart. As the buns become soaked, they get softer, messier, and even more fun to blast.

Tip: Space the buns a few feet apart so players aren’t accidentally soaking one another’s targets. This game is especially entertaining with a larger group, where the excitement—and the chaos—quickly builds!

Extension Ideas

Once kids have played through all three games, try these variations to keep things fresh:

• Relay version of Ping-Pong Ball Float – Split into two teams, each with their own pitcher and ball. First team to float their ball wins.
• Dot Blaster Teams – Divide kids into two teams and assign each team a color. Work together to protect your teammates’ dots while targeting the other team.
• Bun Blaster Tournament – Run a bracket-style tournament with multiple rounds of Bun Blasters. Winner of each round advances.
• Add a time limit – Set a timer for Dot Blaster Wars so the game has a defined endpoint — great for parties when you need to keep things moving.
• Squirt painting follow-up – After games are done and kids are soaked, set up a squirt painting activity to extend the outdoor water play. The blasters do double duty!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about playing water blaster games with kids.

More Summer Fun

Keep the outdoor fun going all season long! Try a game of Water Balloon Bash for your next backyard party, or browse all of our summer activities for kids for more ideas.