As a dad without a pool, the scorching summer heat can make everyone in the family a little cranky. However, you don’t need a full-size pool to provide relief and entertainment for your kids. With a little creativity, you can turn your backyard into a DIY water park that’s perfect for hot summer days. In this article, we’ll give you 13 simple ideas and instructions for creating your very own backyard water park!
1. The Slip ‘N Slide
One of the most classic backyard water attractions is the Slip ‘N Slide. While you can purchase a commercial version, making your own is more affordable and can be customized to fit your backyard space.
To create your DIY Slip ‘N Slide, you’ll need a large, heavy-duty plastic sheet, some garden stakes or tent pegs, and a garden hose. Spread the plastic sheet out on a flat area of your yard and use the stakes to secure the edges. Connect your garden hose and let the water run over the plastic. Add a small amount of biodegradable dish soap to make the surface extra slippery.
Safety tip: Always make sure there are no rocks, sticks, or other debris under the plastic sheet that could cause injury.
2. DIY Splash Pad
A splash pad is another fun way to keep kids cool and entertained without needing a pool. To create a simple splash pad, follow these steps:
- Gather materials: PVC pipes, PVC connectors, pool noodles, a garden hose, and a hose connector.
- Assemble the PVC pipes and connectors to create a frame for the splash pad. Ensure the frame is large enough for your kids to play in.
- Attach the garden hose to the hose connector and secure it to the PVC frame.
- Cut pool noodles to fit the length of the PVC pipes and make slits along one side of each noodle. Slide the pool noodles over the PVC pipes to cover them.
- Turn on the water and watch as your DIY splash pad comes to life!
3. Water Balloon Games
No DIY water park is complete without some water balloon games. Start by filling up a bunch of water balloons using a Bunch O Balloons filler from Amazon.ca, which allows you to fill and tie up to 100 balloons in just 60 seconds.
Once you have a stockpile of water balloons, the possibilities are endless. Some popular water balloon games include:
- Water balloon toss
- Water balloon volleyball
- Water balloon dodgeball
4. DIY Water Table
Younger children will love a DIY water table, where they can splash and play with floating toys. You can create a simple water table by repurposing an old plastic storage container, a large plastic bin, or even a baby bathtub. Fill the container with water and add toys like rubber ducks, plastic cups, and funnels for endless entertainment.
5. Homemade Water Blob
A water blob is a large, sealed plastic sheet filled with water, creating a squishy, waterbed-like surface for kids to play on. To make your own water blob, follow these steps:
- Purchase a large, heavy-duty plastic sheet or tarp.
- Fold the sheet in half and seal the edges using a heat sealer or strong waterproof tape.
- Leave a small opening to insert a garden hose.
- Fill the water blob with water until it reaches the desired thickness.
- Remove the hose and seal the opening completely to prevent any water from leaking out.
- Place the water blob on a flat, grassy area in your backyard.
Safety tip: As with the Slip ‘N Slide, make sure there are no rocks, sticks, or other debris under the water blob that could cause injury.
6. Bucket Dump
Add an element of surprise to your DIY water park with a bucket dump. To create this fun feature, follow these steps:
- Find a large bucket or container and attach a sturdy rope to the handle.
- Hang the bucket from a tree branch or another sturdy structure in your backyard.
- Fill the bucket with water.
- When your child stands beneath the bucket, pull the rope to release the water, creating an unexpected waterfall.
7. DIY Sponge Water Bombs
Sponge water bombs are a reusable alternative to water balloons, and they’re simple to make. Here’s how:
- Purchase a few packs of colorful, absorbent sponges.
- Cut each sponge into long strips.
- Gather a few sponge strips together, making sure to mix up the colors.
- Secure the center of the bundle with a rubber band, creating a pom-pom shape.
- Soak the sponge water bombs in water and let the fun begin!
8. Water Gun Station
No backyard water park is complete without a water gun station. Fill a large plastic bin with water and stock it with an assortment of water guns, like these from Amazon.ca. Encourage your kids to engage in friendly water gun battles to stay cool and entertained.
9. DIY Tarp Water Slide
Transform your backyard into a water park with this simple DIY tarp water slide. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Large tarp or heavy-duty plastic sheet
- Garden hose
- Biodegradable dish soap
To create the slide, follow these steps:
- Lay the tarp or plastic sheet on a gentle slope in your backyard.
- Wet the tarp with the garden hose.
- Squirt some biodegradable dish soap onto the tarp and spread it evenly.
- Turn on the hose and let the water run down the slide.
- Let your kids slide down the slippery surface and enjoy the fun.
10. DIY Water Balloon Pinata
Add a twist to the classic pinata game with a DIY water balloon pinata. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Water balloons
- String
- Tree branch or sturdy overhead structure
To set up the game, follow these steps:
- Fill water balloons and tie them closed.
- Attach a length of string to each water balloon.
- Tie the other end of the string to a tree branch or overhead structure, so the balloons hang at different heights.
- Blindfold the kids and let them take turns trying to burst the water balloons with a plastic bat or pool noodle.
11. Water Balloon Toss
A classic water balloon toss is a fun and simple activity to include in your DIY water park. To set up this game, follow these steps:
- Fill a large bucket with water balloons.
- Pair up the participants and have them stand facing each other, a few feet apart.
- Each pair starts tossing a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch.
- The last pair standing with an unbroken balloon wins the game.
12. Water Cup Relay Race
This water cup relay race is a fun and engaging activity that requires teamwork and coordination. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Plastic cups
- Two large buckets of water
- Two smaller containers
To set up the race, follow these steps:
- Divide the kids into two teams and have them line up behind their respective buckets of water.
- Place the smaller containers a few feet away from each team.
- Give each team a plastic cup.
- The first player from each team fills their cup with water, races to the smaller container, and pours the water in.
- They then race back and pass the cup to the next team member, who repeats the process.
- The first team to fill their smaller container wins the race.
13. Upgrade Your Water Fun with a Feature-Packed Sprinkler
One of the best ways to elevate your backyard DIY water park is by investing in a high-quality sprinkler with multiple settings and spray patterns. These advanced sprinklers can transform your lawn into a dynamic water playground for your kids, keeping them entertained for hours on end.
Choose a sprinkler that offers a variety of spray patterns, ranging from gentle mists to powerful jets. My kids and I love the Melnor MiniMax Turbo because it’s got lots of spray types, and its actually just a great sprinkler! This allows you to customize the water experience for your children, ensuring that they’re engaged and having fun throughout the day. Look for sprinklers with adjustable nozzles, which let you control the direction and angle of the water, so you can set up engaging obstacle courses or water-based challenges for your kids to conquer.
Many feature-packed sprinklers also come with built-in timers, allowing you to set the duration of your water activities and conserve water. This not only helps the environment but also saves you money on your water bill.
By upgrading to a versatile sprinkler, you can create a unique and immersive DIY water park experience that your kids will love. A great sprinkler system can make all the difference in turning a hot, cranky day into a memorable, refreshing adventure in your very own backyard.
Summary
Creating a backyard DIY water park is a fantastic way to keep your kids entertained, cool, and happy on those hot summer days. With a little creativity and some simple supplies, you can transform your outdoor space into a fun-filled oasis that will have the whole family splashing, laughing, and making unforgettable memories together. So go ahead, put on your swimsuits, grab the sunscreen, and dive into a summer of water-filled adventures with your very own DIY water park! Be sure to check out our rainy day guide, get prepared before you’re stuck inside with nothing to do.