Dodgeball gets a refreshing makeover with this water-soaked version that’s perfect for hot summer days! Sponge Dodgeball replaces hard rubber balls with soft, dripping sponges that create satisfying splashes when they hit their target.
Kids love this game because getting “out” actually feels good when temperatures soar. It’s active, exciting, and keeps everyone cool while running around outside.
Table of Contents
Materials Needed
- Large sponges (car washing sponges work best) or loofahs
- Scissors (for cutting larger sponges into smaller pieces)
- Buckets or containers for water
- Cones or chalk to mark boundaries
- Colored duct tape or ribbons for team identification (optional)
- Garden hose or water source
- Towels for after the game
How to Setup The Game
Find an open play area with room for running and dodging. A backyard, park, or playground work perfectly.
Use cones, rope, or chalk to create clear boundaries and a center line that divides the playing field in half.
Fill several buckets with water and place them around the outside edges of the playing area. These serve as “reloading stations” where players can re-soak their sponges.
If using large sponges, you may want to think about cutting them into smaller pieces for easier throwing.
How to Play
Start by dividing the kids up into two teams. Each team stands on one half of the field, facing each other.
You place wet sponges along the center line. When the game begins, players race to grab sponges and throw them at opponents on the other team.
If a player gets hit with a wet sponge, they’re out and must sit on the sidelines. As in traditional dodgeball, if a player catches a thrown sponge, the thrower is out.
Players can retrieve sponges that land on their side of the field and re-soak them in the water buckets as needed.
The last team with players remaining wins the round! Most groups play multiple rounds since getting “out” isn’t so bad when it means getting cooled off with a splash.
Fun Variations
Sponge Dodgeball Revival: When a player gets out, they sit on the sideline with a bucket of water. If they can splash an active player on their team, that player can bring one “out” player back into the game.
Captain Dodgeball: Each team designates a “captain” who wears a distinct marker. The game only ends when a team’s captain is hit. Captains can bring teammates back in by tagging them.
Soaked Survivor: Start with everyone for themselves instead of teams. The last dry player standing wins! This works well for smaller groups.
Towel Dodgeball: Partners hold opposite ends of a towel to launch sponges instead of throwing them by hand. This creates faster, less predictable trajectories.
Freeze Dodgeball: When hit, players must freeze in the position they’re in rather than leaving the game. They can be unfrozen if a teammate hands them a wet sponge. The game ends when all players from a single team are frozen.
Tips for Success
Be sure to use soft sponges, it makes the game far more enjoyable.
On super hot days, adding ice to the water buckets will never disappoint.
Establish solid boundaries like a “no headshots” rule to keep the game fun and safe for everyone.
For younger/smaller children, you can create a closer throwing line so they can successfully hit targets without all the frustration.
Keep extra sponges on hand – they tend to get lost in the excitement or may tear during enthusiastic play.