Water-Saving Guide for Summertime Fun

Saving water and having fun in the summer doesn’t seem like two ideas that go hand in hand. But in reality, there are numerous ways you can enjoy summer and conserve water at the same time.

With a little creativity and time, you can easily create some fun activities that your kids will love.

Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:

Run Through the Sprinkler

This may seem like the most basic idea, but it actually ends up being the most fun. Running through the sprinkler is a simple activity that perfectly embodies the carefree spirit of summer.

Think back to your favorite summer memories as a kid; running through the sprinkler in your skivvies is probably one of your top memories.

Your kids will also appreciate running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day. At the same time, your lawn will get some much-needed moisture, making this activity twice as good!

Hose Games: Splash Fun and Water Conservation

In addition to spraying each other, you can create some interesting games using a functional outdoor hose. One of our favorites is hose limbo, where you put a spin on a traditional limbo game by using the stream of water from the hose as the “limbo stick.”

In this version, getting hit by the “stick” results in getting soaked, so you may notice more participants messing up on purpose!

You can also create your own personal splash pad at home by attaching some PVC piping to the hose. Drill strategic holes in the PVC and configure it any way your imagination takes you for a dynamic creation.

Create a DIY Slip and Slide

Slip and slides are fun no matter which way you look at them. You can easily create your own slip and slide setup in your yard with the following steps:

1. Get a painter’s tarp or tape together some heavy-duty garbage bags.
2. Find a spot in your yard without any rocks or sharp edges and place the tarp or garbage bags on the ground.
3. Squirt a small amount of dish soap on the plastic.
4. Use a few buckets of water to get the surface wet and enjoy your afternoon of slipping and sliding!

One Word: Sponges

One of the most versatile products for summer fun is a sponge. You can use them in a variety of ways that promote water conservation while also turning up the fun. Some of our favorite ways to use sponges outside include:

1. Sponge Fights: Hand out some colorful sponges and place a few buckets of water around your yard for a great alternative to the traditional water balloon fight. Normal water balloons can only be used once but a sponge can be thrown and re-soaked an infinite number of times!
2. Minute-to-Win-It Games: Take a full bucket and an empty bucket and place them at a distance from each other. Participants of this team will need to transfer water from one bucket to the other using only a sponge. The key is to go as quickly as possible without spilling any water, which, as you will find out, is almost impossible.