15 Squirt Gun Hacks for an Epic Summer

 

1. Attach Alka-Seltzer tablets to yarn necklaces and squirt an opponent until their tablet fizzes up and falls off.

 

2. Use a string, a balloon, and a straw for squirt-gun tug of war.

Pierce the tied-off end of a balloon with a piece of a straw, and push string through the straw (get more directions here). The objective is to squirt the balloon to your opponent’s side. It’s not as easy as it looks!

 

3. Reuse water bottles by turning them into squirt guns.

Poke a hole in the cap and squirt away.

 

 

4. Fill a squirt gun with paint and water, and shoot to make art.

 

5. Create an obstacle course.

String, duct tape, and plastic cups can go a long way.

 

6. Knock down empty bottles—bowling style.

 

7. Play shoot and splash with containers filled with water on top of cones.

 

Related: 19 Clever Ways to Organize Toys

 

8. Sneak in a learning game with squirt-gun phonics.

Write random letters, numbers, or words on a fence or driveway, and have your child “shoot” the characters that you call out.

 

9. Turn a tennis ball into a squirt gun by cutting a slit in it.

 

 

10. Use ping pong balls for target practice.

You’ll need a foam block, some golf tees, and ping pong balls.

 

11. Turn PVC pipes into a homemade squirt gun.

To get started you’ll need 2 PVC pieces: a 1-inch one, that fits inside a 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe. Follow these instructions, which require simple sanding, gluing, and drilling.

 

12. Squirt vinegar at “volcanoes” made of baking soda with food-coloring lava hidden underneath.

This is a good way to teach preschool-aged kids about chemical reactions. Make sure they have on protective eyewear and follow this tutorial.

 

13. See who can fill the cup the fastest with squirt gun target practice.

 

14. Squirt at pots, pans, and other metal objects to create different sounds.

The different shapes of various kitchen items will create fun sounds as water bounces off each of them.

 

15. Have a paint war.

 

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