The Best Water Balloons

Buying Guide

On a hot summer day, when the sun is shining and the kids are out of school, there’s nothing quite like getting into a water balloon fight in the back yard. Whether you play hot potato with water balloons or use them for target practice, be sure to get the right kind of balloons that pop when you need them.

While you can still fill a regular air balloon with water, they don’t quite have the same effect as a proper water balloon. Balloons made for air and helium are typically larger than water balloons, and they are made from thicker material. This means that they won’t pop as easily if thrown — which is a crucial element of a water balloon fight. However, while you want the water balloon material to be thin enough to pop, you need to check that it’s not too thin — otherwise, the balloons will tear when you’re trying to fill them up.

Water balloon fun begins when you start getting ready to fill them up. Before you fill a water balloon up with water, it’s best to stretch it out. Blow the water balloon up with air, but only as much as you would fill it water. If you stretch it too much, the balloon won’t pop when thrown. Then you can let out the air.

Next, stretch the neck of the balloon gently. This way, it won’t tear when you stretch it over the nozzle or faucet. Some water balloon kits come with a custom nozzle attachment that’s made specifically for those balloons. For others, you can just fill them directly from the faucet or hose. Don’t fill the balloon up all the way. You’ll want to leave some space so you can easily tie it off.

Place your water balloons in a large container or tub so they don’t roll around on the grass before you’re ready to use them. When it’s warm outside, it’s nice to fill them up with cold water to help cool people down as they play.

• When you’re looking to buy water balloons, decide how you’re going to be using them. Are you going to have a water balloon fight with lots of people, or will just one or two kids be playing with the balloons? This will give you an idea of how many water balloons you need. Keep in mind that unlike air balloons, the point of water balloons is to pop them. As a result, they don’t last very long when in use, so you’ll want to have plenty of extra balloons on hand for your day of fun. Some water balloon kits come with a dozen balloons, while you can find much larger packs of several hundred.
• Consider whether you want to purchase a water balloon kit that comes with a filling attachment. This is especially useful if you’re filling up many balloons at a time. A water balloon filling attachment makes it easier and faster to fill up your balloons, without dealing with rips or spray. Typically, the attachment affixes to a hose or nozzle on one end, while the other end fits directly into the opening of the balloon.
• Water balloon fights leave a lot of balloon shrapnel in the yard. If you have young children or pets, the small pieces of popped balloon can prove dangerous. Always be sure to clean up the remains of the water balloon fight as soon as possible.
• For many shoppers, choosing biodegradable water balloons is a must. This way, if some small pieces of water balloons get left behind after you’re done cleaning up, they will decompose into the ground. This is an eco-conscious option for those who value purchasing environmentally friendly products.