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National Water Balloon Day

Celebrate National Water Balloon Day with friends and family - have a splashing good time and make lasting summer memories!

Friday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Friday in August

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYSilly

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Ready, set, splash! It's time to celebrate National Water Balloon Day on the first Friday of August every year. This fun day has been around since 2003, when it was created to bring people together and get them out of their homes and into the water for a little bit of summer fun. Whether you're looking for an epic water balloon fight or just want to relax in a pool with your friends, this holiday is the perfect excuse to get wet and enjoy some quality time with family and friends. So grab your water balloons and let the fun begin!

TIMELINE

National Water Balloon Day Timeline

Invention of the Rubber Balloon

Michael Faraday invented rubber balloons for use in his scientific experiments, accidentally paving the way for the future of water balloons.

Popularity of Water Balloons

By the mid-20th century, water balloons, children's blocks and modelling clay colourfully compete for kids' affections on hot summer days.

Water Balloon Launchers'

The late 90s saw the emergence of innovative outdoor toys like water balloon launchers that could send water balloons flying long distances.

First National Water Balloon Day

The first National Water Balloon Day was celebrated to bring people together for outdoor fun and games during the summer season.

Self-Sealing Water Balloons'

Innovation continued with the introduction of self-sealing water balloons which revolutionized the way water balloon fights were held.

World Record Water Balloon Fight

The world record for the largest water balloon fight was set at a music festival in Spain, with over 9,000 participants and over 225,000 balloons used.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Water Balloon Day

Fill up a water balloon fight

Organizing a water balloon fight is an easy and fun way to celebrate National Water Balloon Day. All you need is plenty of balloons and water! You can split into teams or just go at it free for all.

MAKE

Make a water balloon piñata

Grab some balloons, fill them up, and hang them from a branch of a tree or from your backyard. Have everyone stand in a circle and take turns hitting the balloon piñata with a stick until it bursts and candy spills out.

CREATE

Create a water race

Fill up two buckets with water balloons, then set up two racetracks in your backyard. Split into two teams and have each team run the race with the fastest time wins!

MAKE

Make a water balloon maze

Create an obstacle course in your backyard and fill it up with water balloons. Then have everyone compete to see who can make it through without popping any balloons.

WRITE

Write messages on the balloons

Fill up some balloons with water and write messages on them with permanent markers, such as “happy birthday” or “congratulations”. Then give them away as gifts or let them float away into the sky for someone to find!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Water Balloon Day

It's good for your health

In addition to being an excellent source of exercise thanks to all the running around, playing water balloon games also increases your heart rate which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Plus, when you get drenched with cold water during a water balloon fight, it can help lower your body temperature so you don't overheat!

It’s a fun way to cool off

Water balloons are a great way to stay cool on hot summer days. Just fill them up with water, throw them at your friends, and you’ll instantly find yourselves feeling cooler! The game can be made even more exciting by adding in contests and other rules.

It’s kid friendly

Everyone can enjoy a game of water balloon fight - it's perfect for children of all ages as a safe and fun activity. Kids will have endless amounts of fun running around trying to catch and dodge water balloons while they get much needed fresh air in their lungs!

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