Beach Ball Games For Your Children!

Game 1 – Greased Watermelon Polo
Required: Pool, watermelon, jar of petroleum jelly or shortening
Players: Small to large groups

The object of the game is to get the greased watermelon to opposing team’s end Wall. “Grease up” a full-size watermelon (and 1 or 2 more for backup or to add a twist) with petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or shortening (like Crisco) by spreading it all over the entire watermelon. Divide the group into two teams. Have teams start along “their wall” opposite each other, a rectangular pool works best. Drop, don't throw, the watermelon into the center of the pool. At the referee’s signal or when the watermelon hits the water, the teams move to get the watermelon. Players attempt to move the watermelon, without lifting it out of the water, to the opposing team’s wall/side. They can push it, grab and swim/run with it or propel it through the water. They may not lift it out of the water! If a player lifts the watermelon out of the water it is a foul, play stops and the “fouling” team goes back to their wall. The other team maintains possession of the watermelon where the foul was committed and play resumes. Players grapple for position and possession of watermelon, but may not choke, kick, bite, or strike other players. They may however “wrestle” the watermelon out of opposing players arms. Remember at this point that the watermelon will be quite slippery, and after 5 minutes the players will be too! If one team gets the watermelon to touch the opposing team’s wall they score a point. If a point is scored, replace the watermelon with another that is greased-up or grease-up existing watermelon for the next round. Play to whatever score you choose.

Variation: -Add a watermelon or two.

It’s a great game, though it can be tiring! Watch out for the big jocks who like to show off, they might hurt someone! Make up your own variations, and then eat the watermelon afterwards!

Game 2 – Hole In The Bucket
Required: One large trash can or 30 gallon tub, two receiving buckets, water source and two large coffee cans
Players: Small to large groups

Punch several holes into the bottom and the sides of your cans using a hammer and large nail. Large juice or bean cans will work also. Do this from the outside go into the can to prevent sharp edges on the outside. Make sure there are no sharp edges around the top of can, you can do this by hammering around the inside edge while against a hard surface. You can spray paint your cans with car paint ahead of time for different colored teams. Fill up a large clean container of water at starting point. At the other end of play field have a receiving bucket the same size for each team. Divide into teams and have one person at a time from each team do relay. Each person is to go to the large container, dip their can into it, put the can on their head or carry it in front of them, go down the field to their teams receiving bucket and pour what water is left into the bucket. Once they have done this they can run back to starting point and give the next person the can to do the same. The first team to fill their receiving bucket is the winner!

Two simple games for your children at the beach! Find out more games at my Beach Ball website!