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17 FUN OUTDOOR WATER GAMES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

Whether you’re planning water games for kids, adults, or the whole family, this list has plenty of ways to beat the heat! From water balloon games to sprinkler challenges, and even a water bottle flip game with a splashy twist, these ideas are perfect for a hot summer day. Try one or try them all for hours of cooling, refreshing fun!

Water Wars

Game: Water Fight Frenzy

Setup:

  1. Gather all the water weapons you can find—hoses, water guns, water balloons, cups, buckets, and anything else you can use to hold and throw water.
  2. Split the group into two teams.

How to Play:

  1. Once the teams are ready, start the water fight! Use everything at your disposal to soak the other team—whether it’s by spraying with water guns, throwing water balloons, or dousing each other with buckets or cups of water.
  2. There are no winners or points in this game. The goal is simple: get as wet as possible!

Winning:

There are no winners—everyone just gets drenched and has fun! It’s all about the splashy chaos and cooling off on a hot day.

This is the ultimate no-rules water battle that’s perfect for letting loose and enjoying a good time with friends!

Cup To Cup

ndfold everyone in the line! This makes it trickier and funnier as players fumble to pass and pour the water.

Supplies: Two buckets, plastic cups

Setup:

  1. Place a full bucket of water at the start of the line in the grass, with the first player sitting just behind it.
  2. Have the rest of the team sit in a straight line behind the first player.
  3. The last player in the line should face the opposite direction, so they’re back-to-back with the player in front of them.
  4. Place an empty bucket (either smaller or with a halfway mark) in front of the last player.

How to Play:

  1. Give the first player an empty plastic cup. They must dip the cup into the full bucket and pass it backward over their head to the next player.
  2. Each player then passes the cup over their head to the next person, continuing until it reaches the last player, who dumps the water into the empty bucket.
  3. Pass the now-empty cup back up to the first player to repeat the process.

Winning:

The first team to fill their bucket to the marked line wins!

Adult Twist:

For an added challenge, blindfold everyone in the line! This makes it trickier and funnier as players fumble to pass and pour the water.

Water Bottle Toss

Supplies: Kiddie pool (or hose), empty plastic bottles, empty plastic bucket

Setup:

  1. Fill a kiddie pool with water (or have a hose nearby).
  2. Place an empty bucket on the opposite side of the yard.
  3. Put one or several empty water bottles in the kiddie pool.

How to Play:

  1. A player fills a water bottle from the kiddie pool or hose.
  2. They then toss the filled bottle across a line of teammates, passing it down the line toward the empty bucket.
  3. Each team member should be spaced far enough apart that they have to toss the bottle with some force, causing it to spin and possibly splash water, making the game more fun and messy!
  4. The last player in line pours any remaining water from the bottle into the empty bucket and then sends the empty bottle back to the starting player to refill.

Winning:

The first team to fill their bucket to the marked line wins!

Adult Twist:

Use larger 2-liter soda bottles instead of regular water bottles, making it more challenging to throw and creating bigger splashes!

Bucket Toss

Supplies: Kiddie pool filled with water, a small bucket for each teammate, and one larger bucket for the end of each team’s line.

Setup:

  1. Have one player from each team stand in or beside the kiddie pool with a bucket.
  2. Line up the rest of their team in a straight line extending away from the kiddie pool, with each player holding a small bucket. Space them out so they need to toss water to the next person rather than simply pouring it.
  3. Place an empty large bucket at the end of each line behind the last player.

How to Play:

  1. The first player in the line scoops water from the kiddie pool using their bucket.
  2. They then toss the water to the next teammate, who catches as much as they can in their own bucket.
  3. This continues down the line until the last player pours whatever water they caught into the team’s large end bucket.
  4. The empty buckets are passed back to the starting player to refill, and the process repeats.

Winning:

The first team to fill their large bucket to the marked line wins!

Sponge Toss

Supplies: Two plastic buckets, large sponges

Setup:

  1. Place a bucket full of water on one side of the yard and an empty bucket on the opposite side.
  2. Have each team line up their players between the two buckets. Once everyone is lined up, they must stay in their assigned spot and cannot move from it.
  3. The first player on each team should be next to the full bucket, and the last player should be by the empty bucket.

How to Play:

  1. The first player dunks the sponge in the full bucket, soaking up as much water as possible.
  2. They then toss the sponge to the next player, who passes it along the line until it reaches the final player by the empty bucket.
  3. The last player wrings out the sponge into the empty bucket and passes the empty sponge back up the line to start again.

Winning:

The first team to fill their bucket to the marked line wins!

Adult Twist:

Place the buckets much further apart, requiring players to toss the sponge with more force, making it harder to keep the sponge from dropping or spilling water!

Cash Or Splash

Game: Water Cup Cash

Supplies: Dixie cups, a table, tape, Sharpie (or stickers), water

Setup:

  1. Line up a row of Dixie cups on a table.
  2. Place a sticker or piece of tape on a handful of cups (about 10 out of 100 cups). On the cups with a sticker, write a dollar amount ranging from $1 to $10.
  3. Fill all of the cups with water, making sure the cups with the stickers are mixed in so that players can’t see which cups have money under them.

How to Play:

  1. Players take turns choosing one cup at a time.
  2. After choosing a cup, the player looks at the bottom of the cup.
  • If there’s money on the bottom (from the sticker or tape), they win that amount and toss the water to the side.
  • If the bottom is empty, they pour the water on their head and return to the back of the line.
  1. Continue playing until all the money has been found.

Winning:

There’s no ultimate winner in this game. The goal is simply to earn the most money by finding the cups with money underneath them! Whoever manages to collect the most cash by the end is the “richest” player.

This game is a fun, suspenseful way to get soaked while also adding a bit of competition to the mix. It’s perfect for a water-filled afternoon!

Water Balloon Volleyball 

Supplies: Water balloons, outdoor volleyball net, beach towels

Setup:

  1. Set up the volleyball net in an open outdoor space.
  2. Split your group into two even teams, one on each side of the net.
  3. Give each pair of players a beach towel, ensuring each player is holding one side of the towel.

How to Play:

  1. The game begins with one team receiving a water balloon.
  2. The team must place the water balloon in their beach towel (held by two players), and then use their arms to catapult the towel and launch the balloon over the net to the opposing team.
  3. The other team attempts to catch the water balloon in their towel and return it over the net in the same way.
  4. Play continues as teams volley the water balloon back and forth, trying to prevent it from hitting the ground or popping.
  5. If a team fails to catch the balloon or the balloon breaks when hit the ground, the other team earns a point. If a team scores an ace (the opposing team drops or breaks the balloon on the serve), they get two points.

Winning:

The first team to reach 10 points wins the game!

Adult Version:

Instead of using water balloons, use full-size balloons to make the game more challenging and reduce the chance of the balloon breaking too easily.

Sponge Run

Supplies: Two plastic buckets, large sponges (or a kiddie pool)

Setup:

  1. Place a bucket full of water (or a kiddie pool) on one side of the yard and an empty bucket on the opposite side.
  2. Give each player a sponge and have them stand by the full bucket or pool.

How to Play:

  1. Players dunk their sponges in the water to soak up as much as possible.
  2. They then place the sponge on their head and must hold it there as they run to the empty bucket, trying to keep as much water in the sponge as they can.
  3. Once they reach the empty bucket, they wring out the sponge into it, then run back to the starting point to repeat the process.

Winning:

The first person to fill their bucket to the marked line wins!

Adult Twist:

Players must balance the sponge on their head without holding it. If the sponge falls off, they must return to the starting point and try again. This adds a challenging twist to keeping the sponge steady while walking!

Pool Defender

Game: Ball Transfer Challenge

Supplies: Kiddie pool, plastic balls (like those small play balls), large 5-gallon buckets, rope or something to mark a “line”

Setup:

  1. Fill a kiddie pool with water and place it at the center of a 10-foot circle perimeter (you can mark the circle with a rope or anything that marks the boundary).
  2. Set up two teams of four players, with each team having two players inside the kiddie pool and two players outside the circle.
  3. Each team outside the pool should have a large 5-gallon bucket filled with plastic balls, and each team inside the pool needs to be ready to transfer those balls into their bucket.

How to Play:

  1. The players inside the kiddie pool must scoop or toss the balls out of the pool and pass them to their teammates standing outside the circle.
  2. The outside teammates must catch the balls and try to toss them into their own large 5-gallon bucket without stepping inside the circle.
  3. Teams continue transferring balls back and forth until all the balls are out of the kiddie pool and into their bucket.
  4. You can add a twist by setting a time limit to see which team can get the most balls in their bucket before the timer runs out!

Winning:

The team with the most balls in their bucket at the end of the game (or when the timer runs out) wins!

Adult Version:

Make the challenge more difficult by increasing the distance between the pool and the bucket, or by requiring players to use only one hand to pass the balls!

This game combines teamwork, speed, and a lot of water splashing for a fun summer challenge!

Water Balloon Dodgeball

Supplies: Water balloons (auto-fill for faster filling), a large bucket, tape or plastic cones

Setup:

  1. Fill a bunch of water balloons and place them in a large bucket in the middle of the yard. Use slightly larger balloons that are likely to break on impact.
  2. Use tape or cones to divide the yard into two sides, with the bucket of balloons in the middle.
  3. Split players into two teams, each on one side of the line.

How to Play:

  1. On “Go,” players race to the bucket, grab water balloons, and retreat to their side of the yard.
  2. Players throw water balloons at each other across the line, aiming to get their opponents out. Rules:
  • A player is out if they’re hit by a water balloon that actually breaks on them (not if it just splashes on the ground).
  • If a water balloon bounces off a player without breaking, they can pick it up and continue playing, or, if you prefer, you can rule that any hit means they’re out.
  • If a player catches an unbroken water balloon, the thrower is out. The catcher may also “revive” a teammate who’s on the sideline.
  • If a player attempts to catch a balloon but it breaks on them, they’re out.

Winning:

The game continues until one team has the last player standing, making them the winning team.

Adult Twist:

To stay in the game, the water balloon must break upon impact with the player—no simply bouncing off! This makes dodging and aiming more strategic and challenging.

Water Balloon Hot Potato

Supplies: Water balloons, a way to play music

Setup:

  1. Fill up several water balloons.
  2. Have everyone sit in a circle on the grass or in an open area.
  3. Give one person in the circle a water balloon to start.

How to Play:

  1. Start playing music while the players pass the water balloon around the circle.
  2. At random intervals, stop the music (without looking at the circle to avoid knowing who has the balloon).
  3. The player holding the water balloon when the music stops must pop it above their head, and they are out of the game.
  4. If there’s confusion about who “has” the balloon when the music stops (e.g., two players are holding it, or one player threw it just after the music stopped), have those players play rock, paper, scissors to decide who is out.
  5. Continue the game until only one person remains in the circle.

Winning:

The last person left in the circle, who hasn’t been eliminated, wins!

Adult Version:

  1. Move the circle a few feet apart so that players have to toss the water balloon to the next person.
  2. If someone makes a terrible throw and the balloon doesn’t reach the next person, that person is out.
  3. If a player catches the balloon but drops it, the person who dropped the balloon is out.
  4. Keep playing until only one person remains!

Splish Splash

Game: Splash the Bucket

Supplies: Kiddie pool, small bucket, timer (or stopwatch)

Setup:

  1. Place a kiddie pool filled with water in one part of your yard.
  2. Position a small bucket about 3 feet away from the edge of the kiddie pool.
  3. Fill the small bucket halfway with water to give players a baseline to work with.

How to Play:

  1. Players stand in the kiddie pool filled with water and get ready to splash.
  2. When you say “Go,” the player must use only their hands to splash water from the pool into the small bucket.
  3. The goal is to fill the bucket as much as possible within one minute.
  4. Players can scoop or splash the water, but they cannot pick up the bucket or move it closer to the pool.
  5. If you’re playing with teams, players can take turns, with each person splashing water into the bucket until the time is up.

Winning:

  • The player (or team) who manages to get the most water in the bucket in one minute wins!
  • If playing with teams, you can tally the total amount of water each team splashed into the bucket to determine the winner.

Team Version:

If you have teams, each player can take turns, one at a time, splashing water into the bucket. The team with the most water in the bucket at the end of a set time wins.

Adult Version:

For adults, add more challenge by increasing the distance between the pool and the bucket or using a larger bucket that requires more splashing effort.

This game is a splash-filled, competitive challenge that works great for both individual and team play!

Kiddie Pool Toe Diving

Supplies: Kiddie pool, diving rings, and other small pool toys

Setup:

  1. Fill a kiddie pool with water and add a variety of small toys, diving rings, and other fun items.

How to Play:

  1. When the game begins, players must use only their toes to fish out as many items from the kiddie pool as possible.
  2. They can’t use their hands—only their feet!

Winning:

The winner can be either the first person to retrieve an item or the player who collects the most items by the end of the game.

Adult Twist:

Blindfold the players to make it even more challenging and fun!

Water Balloon Toss 

Supplies: Water balloons (auto-fill for faster filling)

Setup:

  1. Pair up all players and have them stand in two straight lines facing each other.
  2. Give each pair a water balloon (or a sponge if playing with young kids).

How to Play:

  1. Have someone count to three, and on “three,” everyone tosses their water balloon to their partner.
  2. If the partner catches the balloon or if it’s dropped but doesn’t break, they take one step back (keeping the teams in a straight line).
  3. If the balloon pops while being caught or thrown, or if it’s dropped and breaks, that team is out.
  4. Continue tossing the water balloons and taking steps back, gradually increasing the distance between partners.

Winning:

The last team remaining with an unbroken water balloon wins!

Adult Twist:

In the adult version, teams must catch the balloon without it breaking, even if it doesn’t pop. If the balloon hits the ground or is dropped, they’re out—making it harder to stay in the game!

Ultimate Water Balloon

That sounds like an amazing new game! Combining ultimate frisbee, a water balloon toss, and some added excitement is bound to create a unique and fun experience. If you have more details or specific rules for your ultimate water balloon game, I’d love to hear them! Feel free to share the link to the dedicated post, and I can help you come up with a summary or suggestions if needed.

Sprinkler Red Light Green Light 

Game: Shark and Minnows with a Sprinkler Twist

Setup:

  1. Set up a sprinkler somewhere in the yard that’s positioned to get players wet.
  2. Have kids line up on one side of the yard as “minnows” and choose one player to be the “shark,” who will start in the middle of the yard.

How to Play:

  1. The shark stands in the middle of the yard and shouts, “Swim across!” or a similar cue.
  2. The minnows must then run across the yard to the other side, trying to avoid getting tagged by the shark.
  3. If a minnow is tagged by the shark, they become a shark and join the shark in the middle for the next round.
  4. The sprinkler adds an extra layer of danger! If a minnow gets hit by the sprinkler while crossing the yard, they also become a shark and join the chase.
  5. Play continues until only one minnow remains, who becomes the next shark.

Winning:

The last minnow standing wins and becomes the shark for the next round.

This is a great way to add a little more excitement and cooling fun to a classic game!

Slide Down

Game: Slide and Splash Challenge

Supplies: Large bucket of water, plastic cups, playground slide, small bucket of water, timer

Setup:

  1. Place a large bucket of water at the bottom of the playground stairs.
  2. Put two plastic cups at the bottom of the stairs, ready for players to fill.
  3. At the bottom of the slide, set up a small empty bucket that players will need to fill with the water they carry.
  4. Mark a starting line at the base of the stairs where players will begin.

How to Play:

  1. When you say “Go,” the player must fill one of the plastic cups with water from the large bucket at the bottom of the stairs.
  2. After filling the cup, the player races up the stairs to the top of the slide.
  3. Once at the top, they must slide down the slide while holding the filled cup of water.
  4. At the bottom of the slide, the player must dump the water into the small bucket.
  5. The player continues to repeat the process: fill the cup, race up the stairs, slide down, and dump the water.

Winning:

  • The player wins if they fill the small bucket with water before one minute is up.
  • If they spill too much water during the slide, they have to try again, but every successful trip up and down gets them closer to filling the bucket.

Team Version:

  • If you’re playing with teams, have each player take turns. The team that fills the small bucket first (or with the most water) wins.

Adult Version:

For adults, increase the challenge by using larger cups, requiring the player to fill the cup to a specific level before starting, or increasing the distance they must race.

This game combines speed, precision, and a bit of water fun, making it a perfect challenge for hot days at the playground!

conclusion

These water games are the perfect way to cool off and have fun, whether you’re hosting a kids’ party, enjoying a family gathering, or just looking to add some excitement to a summer day. From classic favorites like water balloon tosses to creative new challenges like the Slide and Splash Challenge, these games will keep everyone entertained and splashed from head to toe! Whether you’re racing to fill a bucket, dodging water balloons, or splashing through sprinklers, the possibilities for fun are endless.

So grab your water guns, buckets, and balloons, gather your friends and family, and dive into these playful, competitive, and refreshing water games for hours of summer fun!

ECO-FRIENDLY SUMMER TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER SEASON

Glorious summer days spent outdoors can quickly be spoiled by pesky wasps, annoying mosquitoes, relentless ants, and painful sunburns.

But don’t worry! I’ve gathered some super smart summer hacks to help you tackle all these nuisances quickly and effectively, including:

DIY WASP TRAP

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to keep wasps out of the garden when you have lovely, sweet-smelling fruit trees that attract them.

If wasps become a problem, you might need to create a DIY wasp trap. However, only set it up if you’re dealing with an infestation, as it can attract even more wasps to your garden. If you just want to eliminate a few wasps, try this DIY wasp spray instead.

Making this trap is simple:

  1. Take a large plastic bottle.
  2. Cut off the neck of the bottle.
  3. Invert the neck and place it inside the bottle to create a funnel.
  4. Poke handle holes on either side of the bottle using a screwdriver.
  5. Remove the funnel and add your wasp bait (see below).
  6. Reinsert the funnel and tie string through the holes to create a handle.
  7. Hang the trap on the opposite side of the garden from where you want to relax!

Wasp Trap Bait

Different baits work best at various times of the year:

  • Spring: Combine cooked meat fat, water, and a little dish soap. The meat fat attracts wasps during their breeding season.
  • Mid to Late Summer: As fruit ripens, use fruit juice or pieces of ripe fruit mixed with dish soap. The dish soap suffocates the wasps, preventing them from flying so they become trapped.

Caution: Be very careful when emptying the trap, as there may be live wasps inside.

Tip: To safely block the funnel overnight, quickly place a tennis ball on top of the trap. The wasps will be dead by morning, and you can then flush them away.

Wasp Sting Remedies

If you do get stung by a wasp, use these quick home remedies to relieve pain fast.

WASP REPELLENT PLANTS

Plants that repel wasps can effectively help keep these pests away from your garden, patio areas, and dining spaces. Here are some effective wasp-repellent plants:

  • Rue
  • Lemongrass
  • Citronella
  • Eucalyptus
  • Pennyroyal
  • Marigolds
  • Thyme
  • Lemon Balm
  • Basil
  • Cucumbers
  • Spearmint
  • Peppermint

RUE

Rue is a semi-woody perennial herb characterized by its yellow flowers and growth height of 2-3 feet. This herb is effective at repelling stinging wasps.

You can plant rue alongside fruit trees to deter wasps, or use large pots of rue around patios to help keep these pests at bay. Its aromatic foliage not only serves as a natural repellent but also adds beauty to your garden space.

LEMONGRASS

Lemongrass is another effective wasp-repelling plant that grows to a height of 2-3 feet. Its tall, dense growth makes it an excellent choice for bordering backyards, gardens, and patios. In addition to repelling wasps, lemongrass adds a fresh scent to your outdoor spaces and can be used in culinary dishes.

CITRONELLA

Citronella is a delightful plant with purple flowers and a scent that both wasps and mosquitoes dislike. Growing up to 2 feet tall, citronella can be effectively added to mixed borders to help repel wasps. Its aromatic properties not only keep pests away but also enhance the overall ambiance of your garden.

EUCALYPTUS

The beautiful eucalyptus tree is an elegant option for repelling wasps. It can be grown as a tall tree or, with proper pruning, maintained as a graceful shrub. Eucalyptus not only enhances the aesthetic of your garden but also emits a scent that deters wasps, making it a functional and attractive addition to your outdoor space.

PENNYROYAL

Pennyroyal is a charming flowering plant recognized for its ability to repel wasps and mosquitoes. However, it’s important to note that pennyroyal is toxic if ingested, so it’s best to avoid planting it near edible herbs to prevent any confusion. Its pleasant appearance can still enhance your garden while providing pest-repelling benefits.

MARIGOLDS

Golden marigolds are a vibrant addition to any garden, effectively deterring various pests, including mosquitoes, slugs, snails, and wasps. These hardy flowers are easy to grow in patio pots and can also be used to beautify garden tables, helping to keep wasps away from your food. Their colorful blooms not only enhance the aesthetic of your outdoor space but also serve a practical purpose in pest control.

THYME

Thyme is incredibly easy to grow, making it a great choice for both small patio pots and as a charming edging hedge. This fragrant herb not only adds beauty to your outdoor space but also helps repel annoying wasps. Its compact growth and low maintenance requirements make thyme an ideal addition to any garden or patio area.

LEMON BALM

Lemon balm adds a delightful fragrance to the garden and is effective at repelling wasps. It looks beautiful in patio pots and can also enhance mixed borders and be planted around fruit trees.

BASIL

Basil is a simple-to-grow natural antibiotic that serves as an excellent wasp repellent, making it a perfect addition to any herb garden.

SPEARMINT

Place pots of wasp-repellent spearmint on your patio or porch to deter wasps while you relax or enjoy a meal. Plus, with fresh spearmint on hand, you can easily make a variety of recipes, including a deliciously refreshing spearmint iced tea—perfect for those long summer days spent on the porch!

PEPPERMINT

Peppermint is another easy-to-grow mint that effectively keeps wasps at bay. Having fresh peppermint in the garden is fantastic for whipping up delicious dishes like mint salad, mint sorbet, or the perfect mint mojitos!

CUCUMBER

Last summer, I grew wasp-repellent cucumbers for the first time, and they turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable and easy gardening project. Cucumbers thrive in pots, allowing you to use them as a wasp-repellent plant on your patio or porch, as well as in your vegetable garden.

For additional tips, check out this guide to wasp-repellent plants from Five Spot Green Living.

WASP REPELLENT SPRAY

A simple DIY wasp repellent spray can also help keep wasps at bay. You can carefully spray it on yourself and around tables and doorways.

Many common herbs repel wasps, so you can create a DIY wasp spray using an infusion of any of the following herbs found in your kitchen:

  • Rosemary
  • Chamomile
  • Sage
  • Mint
  • Lavender
  • Thyme
  • Aniseed
  • Fennel seed
  • Cloves

While cloves are excellent at repelling wasps and flies, you might want to avoid spraying them directly on yourself!

To make the spray, combine equal parts of your herbal infusion (essentially a herb tea) with witch hazel in a small spray bottle.

Alternatively, if you’re a fan of essential oils, you can make this DIY wasp spray from Five Spot Green Living using clove, geranium, and lemongrass oils.

WASP KILLER SPRAY

I try to avoid killing bugs unless absolutely necessary, but sometimes you have to take action if wasps get inside the house. You need to be cautious when dealing with them, as it’s easy to get stung. However, if they land on a hard surface, I use my quick DIY fly spray to handle the situation.

NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT HACKS

I live on one of London’s old marshes, where there’s an underground river at the end of the street, so come summer, mosquitoes are everywhere. Fortunately, I have some super easy hacks to keep them away and prevent them from breeding:

  • Burn Scents They Dislike: Use rosemary or sage on BBQs, or burn candles, incense sticks, or infusers with these scents.
  • Spray Yourself: Apply scents they hate, such as lavender or mint.
  • DIY Fly Trap Jars: Set up quick fly traps to catch them.
  • Avoid Standing Water: Eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Keep Pond Water Moving: Use an aerator or bubbler to keep pond water circulating.
  • Use a Fan: Set up a fan on outdoor tables and by your back door to create a breeze that deters mosquitoes.
  • Cook Garlic on the BBQ: The smell of cooking garlic is something they dislike.
  • Drink Mint Tea: Enjoying mint tea helps you smell minty, which mosquitoes find unappealing.
  • Hang Lace Curtains: Just like grandma used to, hang old-fashioned lace curtains for an added barrier.
  • Plant Unwanted Flowers and Herbs: Incorporate flowers and herbs that repel mosquitoes in your garden.

For more information, check out tips below on making your own mosquito repellent candles, DIY bug spray, and bug balm. If you’re facing significant mosquito issues, take a look at this comprehensive guide to repelling mosquitoes.

MOSQUITO REPELLENT CANDLES

Mosquito repellent candles are a fantastic hack for summer evenings, but you don’t have to spend a lot to get them. You can easily make your own using just:

  • Empty jars
  • Tealights
  • Any mosquito-repellent herbs you have on hand

I grow mint and rosemary in my herb garden, so I often use those. You can also incorporate basil, as suggested in these DIY instructions from The Country Chic Cottage.

You can also add lemon that’s leftover from your drinks or, if you have it, a few drops of citronella oil, as seen in these versions from Bunch of Posies. This will enhance the mosquito-repelling properties of your candles!

DIY BUG SPRAY

A simple DIY bug spray is an essential hack for keeping bugs away in the backyard, while camping, or anywhere your kids are having fun outdoors. To make your own, all you need is:

  • A small spray bottle
  • Witch hazel (which also works as a natural treatment for blackheads!)
  • Any combination of essential oils that bugs dislike or herbal tea

For some fantastic tips on how to make bug spray with essential oils, check out One Essential Community.

I make mine with a quick infusion of lavender, rosemary, and mint:

  1. Steep a handful of herbs in boiled water for 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Let it cool (you can speed up the process by putting it in the fridge if you’re short on time).
  3. Combine the infusion in a spray bottle with equal parts of witch hazel.
  4. Shake well to mix everything together.

You can then spray it all over, but be sure to keep it away from your eyes!

NATURAL BUG BALM

If you really struggle with bug bites, you can make your own bug balm. The simplest trick is to add a few drops of essential oils with scents that bugs dislike to a big dollop of sunscreen in your hands. Lightly rub them together to combine, then apply to bare arms and legs—but avoid your face.

While I’m not a huge fan of essential oils—since many can be a bit of a con—there are a few that are worth having, like tea tree oil for head lice, athlete’s foot, and dandruff, plus lavender for bug spray and balm.

If you’re interested in making simple potions, check out this quick bug balm recipe from Wendy Polisi.

MOSQUITO BITE TREATMENTS

If you do get bitten, there are plenty of natural mosquito bite remedies in your kitchen for quick relief. Ice cubes and honey are among the best treatments, but you can also use everything from lemon juice to raw potato or banana peel!

If you’re going camping, hiking, or heading out on an outdoor adventure, be sure to take aloe vera gel or witch hazel with you.

For a comprehensive list of bug bite remedies, check out this bug bite treatment guide.

ANT REPELLING HACKS

Nothing ruins a summer morning quite like an army of ants marching across your kitchen! I still have nightmares about it years later. The problem is that many ant poisons are toxic to other wildlife and pets.

However, a few simple natural hacks can help keep them at bay:

  • Act Fast: Address the problem as soon as you see them inside.
  • Squish Any You See: This helps reduce their numbers right away.
  • Thoroughly Clean: Use dish soap to clean the areas where you see them entering.
  • Wipe Down with Vinegar: After cleaning, wipe the surfaces with vinegar and let them dry.
  • Create a Barrier: Make a barrier line at the entry points using:
  • Diatomaceous earth
  • Baking soda (bicarbonate)
  • Cornflour or cornmeal
  • Crumbled chalk

You can strengthen the barrier by mixing in these repellents:

  • Cinnamon
  • Ground cloves
  • Pepper
  • Paprika

Once you’ve stopped the ants from coming inside, tackle the source outside. For simple, practical tips on getting rid of ants naturally, check out this guide!

NATURAL SUNBURN TREATMENTS

It’s easy to get sunburned in the summer, even when we take precautions. Interestingly, cooler breezy days can be the most dangerous, as we often underestimate the sun’s strength. Fortunately, many common kitchen ingredients can effectively soothe pain and help prevent blisters naturally.

I have a long list of natural remedies for sunburn, but my favorite for severe burns is an oat milk bath. My super pale Scotch-Irish skin tends to burn easily, but a cool oat milk bath provides quick relief from the pain.

Here’s how I make it:

  1. Blend a few tablespoons of oats with a cup of tepid water until smooth.
  2. Pour the mixture into a cool or tepid bath deep enough to submerge the affected area.
  3. Relax in the bath for about 15 minutes.

For extra soothing benefits, you can enhance the oat milk mix by adding chamomile and lavender, as suggested by Shaken Together Life.

OUTDOOR FUN FOR KIDS

I love these summer hacks for outdoor play for kids! They’re not only super fun but also incredibly easy to make, allowing older kids to enjoy the process of creating them before diving into playtime. It’s a win-win situation!

DIY GARDEN HOSE SPRINKLER

This DIY garden hose sprinkler from Housing A Forest is a fantastic way to entertain the whole family! It can be assembled quickly and easily, making it perfect for spontaneous summer fun without any prior planning.

BUBBLE SNAKES

These bubble snakes are also super simple but super fun.

To make the bubble snake, you’ll need:

Materials:

  • A plastic bottle
  • An old sock
  • An elastic band
  • Dish soap bubble mixture

Instructions:

  1. Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle.
  2. Pull the sock tightly over the cut end of the bottle.
  3. Secure it in place with the elastic band.
  4. Dunk the bottle into the bubble mixture.
  5. Blow hard through the neck of the bottle.

Watch as your bubble snake wiggles through the bottom!

TIC TAC TOE STONES

These DIY tic-tac-toe stones from Taryn Whiteaker are a wonderful project for making something with kids that they can enjoy outdoors all summer long. They’re not only fun to create but also provide endless hours of play!

And they couldn’t be easier to make! Just collect some stones during a hike or at the beach, and spend an afternoon painting them however you like. Older kids can get creative and artistic, while even little ones can leave their mark.

NATURAL PAINT BRUSHES

These delightful natural paintbrushes from Messy Little Monster are another fantastic no-prep activity that kids of all ages can create and enjoy using. They’re a great way to inspire creativity and make art in the great outdoors!

Simply head outside to your backyard, a park, or the woods to:

  1. Gather leaves, grasses, and flowers.
  2. Collect a bundle of twigs.
  3. Attach everything together with rubber bands.

Then, it’s time to paint away! Enjoy your creative outdoor fun!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these easy and fun DIY activities provide fantastic opportunities for kids to engage creatively with nature. From making bubble snakes and tic-tac-toe stones to crafting natural paintbrushes, each project encourages exploration and artistic expression without requiring extensive preparation. So, gather your materials, head outside, and enjoy the summer by creating lasting memories with your children!