With 6 grandkids who love to play outside, I've invented countless ways to keep the fun going even when it's hot. Let me tell you, these DIY Sponge Bombs are top of the list! They take all the mess out of a water balloon fight, plus you can reuse them over and over again at no extra cost.
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🎉 Why You’ll Love These Sponge Bombs
Prep Time: 10 minutes • Play Time: Endlessly fun!
After decades of crafting and creating with my family, I’ve learned that the best summer days start with a tub of water and a few clever ideas.
With a pack of sponges and some playful energy, DIY sponge bombs are our favorite way to turn an ordinary afternoon into an epic water balloon fight. No filling the balloons or messy plastic bits left in the yard!
Have the kids help you make DIY Sponge Bombs! They're a reusable water toy and loaded by just dunking them in a bucket of water. Plus, they are inexpensive, colorful, and easy to make.
This is a win-win-win craft!
Fun Activity Ahead: Water Balloon Fight!
The grandkids are coming this weekend and our pond is too low for swimming. I know that we’ll want water fun alternatives if it’s a hot day!
We’re going to have epic water balloon fight fun with these easy DIY Sponge Bombs. You’ll see how easy they are to make in the pictures and video below. I’ve made 5 for the post and will have them help me make more. 6 kids need a pile of sponge bombs.
They're reusable so we’ll set out a tub of water to “load them up” then let the throwing begin. The best thing is there will be no balloon pieces left in the yard!
🌈 Supplies You’ll Need
You don’t need much to bring these cute DIY sponge water bombs to life!
- A few kitchen sponges- Get the inexpensive multi-color sponges without the scrub side.
- Scissors- You'll need your crafting scissors.
- Elastic hair ties, rubber bands, or twine- I recommend elastic hair ties for bundling the sponges.
- A bucket or tub- Set out a large bucket or tub filled with water to load the sponges.
🌀 How to Make Your Sponge Bombs
Ready to get started? Whip up some sponges (and a full-on water fight) in 6 easy steps:
- Cut each sponge into 4 long strips.
- Bundle about 10-16 strips together in a colorful mix.
- Wrap the sponge strips tightly with a elastic hair tie or rubber band at the center.
- Fluff it out into a pom-pom shape, widen the ends until it looks ball-like.
- Soak it in water and gently squeeze out the extra water. Your sponge bomb is ready!
- Final splash- Gather the kids, grab the sponge bombs, and let the laughter begin!
💦 Game On!
Here are a few game ideas for water fight fun!
- Classic water fight: Toss the water balls at your friends and get soaked!
- Bucket challenge: Stand back and aim- who can land theirs in the bucket?
- Target toss: Use chalk to draw a bullseye on the fence or sidewalk and see who gets the highest score.
🔧 Tips from My Experience
These tips can help making sponge bombs even easier:
- Cutting the sponges: Cut the sponge in half longwise first, then cut those halves in half again longwise. This makes 4 even pieces.
- Tightly stretched elastic hair ties: Tight bands prevent sponge bomb pieces from falling apart during your water fight.
- Safety note: Skip zip ties. The rubber bands are safer and still tough enough to play hard.
- Dry completely: Don’t store the sponges wet or they may smell (or grow mold).
- Storing: After drying completely, I recommend storing in a box or bag. Don't have one already? Learn How to Make Tote Bag 2 Ways with an old t-shirt!
📌 Craft Variations
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this sponge water bombs:
- Softness twist: Use kitchen sponges without the rough side to keep hits from your sponge water balls soft.
- Color-coded play: Make the sponge bomb from one color sponge. Assign each kid a color sponge bomb to track who “wins.”
- Compact sets: Use just 6 strips for smaller hands or little kids.
- Twine: Twine does work for tying the sponges together if you don't have hair ties.
🙋FAQ
This post tells and shows you how to make sponge bombs (also called a sponge ball). Cut sponges into 4 long pieces. Gather 10-16 pieces and tie them in the center with an elastic hair band. Fluff up, dip in water, and start a water balloon fight! With no water balloons!
What is a sponge bomb? A sponge bomb is a water balloon option with no filling or plastic pieces on the yard. These "water balloons" are made from sponges and are reusable, filled by dipping in water, colorful, and inexpensive to make. See this post for details.
How to make sponge water bombs? If you're tired of filling water balloons and picking up elastic pieces afterwards you'll want to learn how to make sponge water bombs. Make a sponge bomb by cutting sponges into strips and tying them together with hair ties. That's it! Just dip them in a bucket of water and you're ready to go. Reusable, inexpensive, and colorful.
☀️More Summer Activity Ideas
Looking for more easy summer activities to try? Here are a few of our favorites:
💬 Come Join the Fun!
Tried this craft activity? Leave a comment, share your photos with #WelcometoNanas #CreativeBombFights, and spread the joyful, mess-free fun!
Crafted with love, creativity, and tons of summer water- just how Nana likes it! 😊
Epic Water Balloon Fights with DIY Sponge Bombs!
Equipment
- none needed
Items Required
- nexpensive multi-color sponges without the scrub side
- crafting scissors
- elastic hair ties Elastic hair ties, rubber bands, or twine
- large bucket or tub to hold water for the water balloon fight
Instructions
- Cut each sponge into 4 long strips.
- Bundle about 10-16 strips together in a colorful mix.
- Wrap the sponge strips tightly with a elastic hair tie or rubber band at the center.
- Fluff it out into a pom-pom shape, widen the ends until it looks ball-like.
- Soak it in water and gently squeeze out the extra water. Your sponge bomb is ready!
- Final splash- Gather the kids, grab the sponge bombs, and let the laughter begin!
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