Essentials for Water Gun Wars

Water gun fights are a classic summer pastime, and can be fun for the whole family. Players can divide up into teams, or simply have a free-for-all as they attempt to soak each other with water guns. You can play until one person is left dry, or simply play for fun until everyone gets tired.

  1. Water

    • Water is the most important element in a water gun war. Set up buckets of water around the area so players can refill on the run. Have several hoses available so more than one person can refill his water gun at the same time. In addition, be sure to have some drinking water available; it's important to stay hydrated when running around in the sun.

    Water Guns and Toys

    • Provide a wide range of water guns and toys for players to use. Water guns range from inexpensive trigger-based pistols to pressure-powered super soakers. To keep things fair, have the players trade guns periodically, or provide the same water gun for all players. Add things like water balloons, hoses and buckets of water for a surprise element.

    Space

    • Water gun wars involve a lot of running, so you'll want an open space for players. Ensure that the ground is fairly even and free of debris to lower the risk of tripping. If players will be barefoot, make sure to clear away all harmful materials, like glass or metal. Set up barriers for players to hide behind to add a tactical element to your water gun war.

    Teams

    • Decide if you're going to play on teams, or have a free-for-all. Free-for-all style is more chaotic, so use caution if small children will participate to ensure they don't get hurt. Be creative when choosing your teams; you could do boys-versus-girls, adults-versus-kids or family-versus-family. You could also add a challenge element to team-based play, like capture the flag or freeze tag.