How to Win a Water Balloon Fight

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 7, 2022

Water balloon fights can be loads of fun but there's more skill involved than you might think. If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up very wet. By learning how to avoid incoming balloons, using your surroundings to your advantage and learning how to hit your opponents, you can be a water balloon fight champion.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Avoiding Getting Soaked

1
Be a moving target. You will be significantly more difficult to hit if you are on the move. You should try to stay in motion constantly throughout the fight.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Move side-to-side rather than forward-backward to maximize the difficulty for the person aiming at you.
2
Avoid predictable movements. If your evasive maneuvers involve moving over the same distance or in the same directions over and over again, you'll become predictable. Try to mix it up as much as possible.

Advertisement
3
Take cover. The best water balloon fight spaces will have some obstacles you can use as cover. If you can throw balloons from behind something, part of your body will be covered while you're throwing and you'll be a smaller target.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- You could hide behind a rock, a tree, or a bush.
4
Catch balloons. The best way to irk your opponent is to catch a balloon they thought would splatter all over you. You can then use the balloon you caught to return fire.
- If your opponent is throwing balloons designed for water fights, known as water bombs, they will have a harder exterior and will be much easier to catch. If you're fighting with cheaper party balloons, you may want to avoid trying to catch them because they will break more easily.
- If you fail to catch it, hitting an incoming balloon with your hand can either deflect it away or pop it away from your body so your clothes won't get as wet.
5
Keep your knees bent. If you keep your knees slightly bent, you'll be able to duck and sidestep incoming balloons more easily.^{[3]
X
Research source}
6
Wear the right clothes. It's basically inevitable that some water will get on you. Make sure you wear clothing that you don't mind getting wet. It's also a good idea to take off shoes and socks as they can be difficult to dry out.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Hitting Your Targets

1
Perfect your grip. Gripping a water balloon too tightly can cause it to pop in your hand but a loose grip could hurt your throwing accuracy.
- Keep in mind that the water will shift around in the balloon. If you're having difficulty handling the balloon, it may help to hold your hand underneath the balloon and throw it overhand in a catapult motion.
2
Aim for unexpected targets. If they aren't looking at you, they won't be able to react and will be an easy target. Look for people throwing balloons at others so they aren't paying attention to you.
3
Fake a few throws. Fake throws will throw off your opponents and cause them to duck or dodge the throw too early. You can then hit them more easily immediately after they've moved.
- Too many fake throws could cause the opponents to get annoyed and target you. Use your fakes judiciously.
4
Aim for the center of your target. Aim for your target's body just above the stomach. This spot will give you the widest margin of error if your throw isn't perfect.

Community Q&A

Question

What is something easy I can wear to give me an advantage during a water balloon fight?

Community Answer

A t-shirt because it is light and easy to dry, and sporty shorts for the same reason. If the shorts have pockets, you could store extra water balloons in there.
Question

Can I fill the balloons with yogurt?

Community Answer

You can if you have A LOT of yogurt and you and your opponents don't mind being covered in it. Your parents might not be too happy about it if you make a mess, though.
Question

Is it bad if my opponent hit me in the stomach?

Community Answer

You should be okay, unless you were hit very hard. If you notice swelling, or bleeding, or unusual stomach cramps, you should definitely consult with a doctor.