Dry, Dry, Water

Name:
Wet, Wet, Water
Dry, Dry, Water
Duck, Duck, Water

Recommended number of Participants:
min 5 - max 25

Required material:
A large bucket of water /or a near by water source
A plastic cup (one with a handle makes the game easier for younger ages) or sponge
An open area, large enough for children to run around.

Overview:
This game is a simple, yet effective variation of 'Duck, Duck, Goose' on hot summer days. The children will get wet, make sure you inform them at the start of the game to prevent anyone from getting upset.

Objective:
Get wet!

Rules:

• Children sit in a circle
• One child starts the game (see below) by tapping each person's head (softly) stating the word "Wet"
• The child should finally dump the cup of water on a child's head and say "Water"
• The wet child must get up, chase the child that dumped the water around the circle.
• If the child that dumped the water completes a full rotation around the circle before getting tagged and sits in the open space he/she is safe.
• If the wet child catches and tags the child that dumped the water before a full rotation is complete, the wet child gets to fill up the cup and slowly dump it on the child he/she just caught. Regardless, the child standing gets to be the next dumper.
• The game continues... until everyone is soaked...

Basic Instructions and things of note:

1. Fill large bucket with water and place it in an open area. If the children are younger, you may want to keep the bucket near you, so they don't run up and dump the bucket on themselves.
2. Have the children make a circle around the bucket. (create a ring for children to run around).
3. Fill the plastic cup with water from bucket. Again, for younger children a light cup with handle is good. Young children may throw the cup or bump the head of the person they are dumping on. The handle helps them to hold onto the cup and hopefully prevents them from accidentally dropping it. If you are not comfortable using a cup with your group, a sponge also works well.
4. To start the game, explain the rules (see above), walk around the circle and dump the water on one of the children. To choose a child, tell them to imitate a, ' Duck call' with the most entertaining one getting picked. It is fun to play this up a little to set the mood.
5. Unlike Duck, Duck, Goose, no one ends in the middle. If a child is caught they get a cup of water, slowly dumped on them. Gauge your group with this, if children don't see this part as fun, have the adult dump the water on the person in the middle.
6. Re-fill the cup and continue the game.

1. It is recommended that children wear shoes during this game. Grass gets slick when wet.
2. Children will learn quickly that if they get caught they will get water dumped on them. If this stops them from trying to get around the circle simply reverse the rule. If you make it back to the seat you get a cup dumped on you.
3. Set a clear running path around the circle or children may run in strange directions.
4. If you have children that want to play but don't want to get wet, tell them to place their hands on their head to indicate they don't want to get wet. To encourage children to include these kids allow the person dumping the water to dump it on an adult instead of the child that doesn't want to get wet.

Variation:

1. Don't use water - Duck, Duck, Goose
2. Sit in the middle of the circle with cup of water, call out an animal sound, the child that you splash must make the sound of that animal, then everyone else must imitate that behavior. "Monkey See, Monkey Do". A strategically timed splash of water can make the noises and movements hilarious.
3. Slow motion - if you are inside, have the children play slow motion style (if they move too fast, they have to turn around in a circle before they can continue) and use confetti instead of water.

Any and every game, simple or complex is only as fun as you make it. If you are excited about the game, get involved and play, the children will model your enthusiasm. Normally the only compliant you get on a hot summer day from children is they are not wet enough. If you end the game, before everyone is wet, have enough water to dump a cup on each dry child.  Some children may want to dry off and/or change clothes after the game, so be prepared for this.

Don't forget this game is loud and fun. Set clear expectations of behavior at the beginning of the activity, but let the kids have fun.

This game idea if for informational purposes only and should be played with all safety considerations possible. A game is not fun if someone gets hurt.

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