Kickball is one of those games as a kid where you get your first real taste of competition. Kickball and maybe dodgeball in my experience…. but with kickball; I look back on elementary games with fondness and almost a reverence for the great game that taught me how to compete. Okay, dramatic entrance over. Ultimately, we love kickball. Cassidy has played in on a few competition teams in college winning a coveted t-shirt a few times, and Merek saw Cassidy’s athleticism on display not only once, or twice, but three times as she caught his fly ball kicks at a local church activity. It’s almost a staple of our relationship at this point!
For the 4th of July a few years ago, we decided that we wanted to do something fun and exciting just after the parade, but before our evening barbecue. Thus, we broke out all of our supplies we had been gathering for an ultimate game of water kickball.
Not much is needed, which makes this a great and affordable outdoor activity in the summer when you want to include a lot of people!
Supplies Needed for Water Kickball
- 3 Kiddie Pools – $20.00 on Amazon
- Painters Tarp – $13.00 on Amazon (we purchased ours at Home Depot)
- Soap – $5.00 (we used a simple Dawn dish soap, but could use any type of slippery soap assistance)
- Kickball – $25.00 on Amazon
- Buckets for refilling pool (we used some old 10 gallon Home Depot type buckets)
- Hose – there are a million hose options, we have this 100ft hose so we could go around the entire house and have liked it!
Total Cost: Around $60
Time to Create: 10 minutes!
Water Kickball Set Up
The steps to “create” are simply setting up your kickball game. This can be as quick as a 10 minute set up to place the pools at a first, second and third base, and then place the painters tarp into home plate. If you would like, you can place painters tarp to each base as well, but we felt it made for better competition to have it only going into home base.
Water Kickball Rules
You can follow the same rules as original kickball for water kickball. As a reminder, here are the rules for kickball:
Kickball is played between two teams, ideally with a mix of wannabe MVPs and those just here for the post-game snacks. Teams typically have 8 to 11 players, but hey, as long as you have enough for a fun, competitive group, you’re good to go.
The game starts with a pitcher rolling the ball towards the kicker at home plate. The kicker’s job is to channel their inner Ronaldo and send the ball soaring. The pitcher will be from your team. 2 “strikes” (attempts) to kick the ball are allowed. If the pitches are lame, or you kick foul balls each time, you are out!
Once the ball is kicked, the kicker becomes a runner, sprinting (or trotting, or power-walking) to first base. The goal is to make it around all four bases and back to home plate without getting out. Runners may stop at any base along the way, and advanced strategies include waving frantically for teammates to run faster. The only variation here is that we required all going into home base to have to slide in dramatically on the painters tarp/slip and slide, no matter what.
There are several ways to get out in kickball:
- Caught Ball: If a fielder catches the ball before it hits the ground, the kicker is out. Cue the dramatic slow-motion replay.
- Thrown Out: If a fielder retrieves the ball and throws it to the base the runner is heading to before they get there, the runner is out. This often results in spectacular slides and grass-stained clothes.
- Tagged Out: If a fielder tags the runner with the ball, the runner is out. Expect to see some Matrix-level dodging attempts.
- Hit by the Ball: In some versions, if the ball is thrown and hits the runner, they’re out. This is where your dodgeball skills come into play. Or your lack thereof. We would suggest adding a head rule in – if you are hit in the head, that does not count. (Incentivizes throw that are below the neck.)
Water Sources to Use for Water Kickball
When we have played in the past, we are able to tap into some local park water in order to play. If that is not available, having a kind neighbor allow you to use a hose or transporting your own water to the field will be necessary. Typically if you are able to fill up the kiddie pools initially, and then wet down the painters tarp, having a couple of extra buckets to refill as needed should be enough to get you through a game.
Strategies for Winning Kickball
- Bunting: Gently tapping the ball instead of kicking it hard can throw the fielders off, leading to hilarious scrambles and accidental somersaults.
- Outfield Acrobatics: Fielders should be ready for anything. Whether it’s diving catches or epic fails, every play is a potential viral video moment.
- Trash Talk: Lighthearted banter and mind games are part of the fun. Just keep it friendly, and remember, karma’s a kicker.
How to Win in Water Kickball
At the end of the day, the team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. Winning in water kickball isn’t just about having the best kick or the fastest feet; it’s about mastering the wet and wild conditions, employing clever strategies, and keeping your cool (and your balance) under pressure. Celebrate every run, catch, and slide. Keeping the team spirit high will make the experience memorable and boost your chances of winning.
Remember, it’s not whether you win or lose, but how much fun you have getting drenched.
Did you like this DIY game idea? Check out more Backyard Games and Outdoor Activities here!
