LET IT SLIDE
To make a backyard water slide, all you need is a grassy hill and about 30 feet (9 meters) of thick plastic sheeting. (Do not use plastic garbage bags. Plastic sheeting thicker than a garbage bag is available at hardware stores.)

First make sure there are no rocks or sharp objects on the hill. Then position the plastic, securing the corners and sides with U-shaped plastic garden stakes. Adjust the sprinkler so it sprays on the sheeting and slide away. If you do this with friends, always slide a safe distance apart.

SQUIRT FOOTBALL
Here's a wet variation of a traditional touch football game. Divide kids into two teams. Each player carries a squirt gun. Players tag each other by squirting. The longer you play, the wetter you get and the harder it is to hold onto the football.

CRASH COURSE
Set up an obstacle course using lawn chairs. Fill four buckets to the top with water. Put two full buckets at each end of the course. Divide a group of kids into two teams. At the word "go," the first racer on each team picks up a bucket and runs to the end of the course, trying not to spill the water or bump into the other runner. Then the runners each grab a second bucket and run back to the starting point. The next runner on each team grabs the two buckets and runs the course. The team with the most water left in the buckets wins.

SELF-PORTRAIT
Wearing a bathing suit, use washable finger paints to make colorful designs on your arms and legs. (Keep paint away from your eyes!) When you're finished painting your "masterpiece," hose off or run through the sprinkler.

WASH-A-THON
One way to make money and stay cool is to water your neighbors' gardens, hose down patios, or wash cars. Make sure you have the right equipment, then put up signs in your neighborhood to advertise your services.

Caution: Water can make certain surfaces slippery. Be careful!

Text by Julie Vosburgh Agnone
Art by Rick Stromoski

TRY MORE FUN ACTIVITIES >>