Splash Battleship

Name and Purpose

• Splash Battleship builds teamwork and spatial awareness through a fun water-based strategy game.
• Players practise communication, aim, and tactical positioning while staying cool.

a.k.a.

• Balloon Volley, Over the Net

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 16-40 players | 20-30 minutes | Large outdoor grass field or court with a net or rope divider

Materials

• Reusable rubber water balloons, minimum 30 (refillable; do not use single-use latex balloons as the only option)
• Volleyball net, rope, or two adults holding a bedsheet as a divider
• Boundary cones
• Large tubs or buckets for balloon storage
• Towels
• Trash bags for balloon debris cleanup at the end

Quick-Run Card

1. Fill and store balloons in tubs. Mark team zones with cones.
2. Hang sheet or net at shoulder height between the two zones.
3. Each team secretly places 4-6 players lying flat in their field zone.
4. Standing players throw balloons over the net aiming near lying players.
5. A neutral spotter calls hits. Hit players join the throwing crew. Rotate roles each round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Two equal rectangular zones separated by a net or hanging sheet
• Cones mark outer edges of each zone
• Signal: 1 whistle blast = pause; 2 blasts = stop and gather
• Check the ground for holes, rocks, or slippery patches before play
• Choose a shaded or partly shaded area to reduce sun exposure

How to Play

1. Fill reusable balloons and keep them in shared tubs, one per team side.
2. Each team secretly decides which players will lie flat in their zone (4-6 players) and which will throw.
3. On the start signal, standing players throw balloons over the net, trying to land them near the lying players on the opposite side.
4. A neutral spotter (staff) watches each side and calls when a lying player is hit.
5. A hit player stands up and joins their team’s throwing crew.
6. The round ends when one team has no lying players remaining. That team completes a fun challenge (three jumping jacks, a team cheer).
7. Rotate roles and play 2-3 rounds. There is no losing team. The challenge at the end is the reward.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Throw balloons or lie flat as a target player
• S (Support): Serve as spotter or balloon re-filler, keeping the game running smoothly
• Q (Quiet): Stand near the tubs and pass balloons to throwers without entering the throwing zone
• O (Observer): Watch from outside the boundary cones, choose when to rotate in

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to be a lying target can join the throwing crew or support role from the start
• Seated throwing option: players can throw from a seated position on a low chair or blanket if needed

Stewardship Moment

• All balloon pieces are collected immediately after each round. Assign two players per side as Cleanup Crew with a trash bag.
• Reflection: “We used water and rubber today. How do we take care of the space we played in? What would this field look like if everyone left their pieces behind?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves lying on the ground and having water balloons land near you. For those not comfortable lying flat or being targeted, there are throwing and support roles that are just as important.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, pause and ask players to show thumbs up, sideways, or down. Adjust roles if needed.
• Opt-out and re-entry: Any player can raise both hands and move to a support role at any time. Rejoin by letting a staff member know.

Risks and Mitigation

• Balloon fragments left on ground (slip and litter hazard): assign Cleanup Crew; do not proceed to next round until zone is clear
• Overarm throws hitting lying players hard: remind throwers to lob (arc) balloons rather than throw them hard; demonstrate the arc
• Sun exposure during setup or extended play: move to shade where possible; keep water available; take a drink break between rounds
• Lying players raising heads and getting hit in the face: brief lying players to keep heads turned to the side and covered with forearms

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Balloon Greeting”: each player carries a filled balloon and must greet three other players by name before the game starts, practising gentle handling
• “Toss and Catch”: partners stand 2m apart and toss one balloon back and forth three times, getting comfortable with the weight and feel

Debrief Questions

• What? “What happened when a player on your team stood up and joined the throwing crew? How did that change things?”
• So What? “What did your team do to work together? What would you do differently next time?”
• Now What? “When do you need to adapt your role on a team in real life? What does that feel like?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Both Cleanup Crews collect all balloon pieces into trash bags immediately after play
• Empty tubs and return them to storage
• Check the field for any remaining fragments, wet patches, or hazards before the next activity
• Return cones and net equipment