The Best DIY Sponge Toss Outdoor Activity For Kids

April 17, 2026

This DIY sponge toss is a fun and easy outdoor activity for kids. Use sponges, water, and chalk to create an engaging outdoor activity that will keep kids busy for hours on hot days. This sponge toss is the perfect summer activity if you’re looking for outdoor water activities for kids, summer camp activities, or DIY summer activities.

a dit sponge toss outdoor activity for kids with a bucket full of water and sponges

My kids always love this fun sponge toss game. It’s budget friendly for me and gets the kids moving around outside (a.k.a. no screen time!) The kids also love when I make these shark ice cream floats and these fruit kabobs. They are so refreshing and help keep them cool in the heat.

Craft supplies on a white surface: blue and pink sponges with yellow-handled scissors and a blue rubber band nearby.

What You’ll Need For This Outdoor Activity For Kids

  • Kitchen sponges
  • Rubber band
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Bucket of water

How To Make This DIY Sponge Toss

1. Cut three sponge into 3 strips (you’ll have 9 strips total).

Colorful blue and pink kitchen sponges arranged on a white surface.

2. Stack all 9 sponge strips into a pile.

Stack of blue and pink kitchen sponges

3. Wrap a rubber band tightly around the center of the stack.

Colorful pink and blue kitchen sponges tied with a blue rubber band and arranged in a radial starburst on a white surface.

4. Fluff out the sponge pieces to form a soft sponge ball.

5. Use sidewalk chalk to draw targets on the ground (circles with numbers work great!).

Sidewalk chalk circles with numbers 5, 10, 15, and 20 drawn in pink, blue, red, and purple from bottom to top, with chalk pieces scattered nearby.

6. Fill a bucket with water and place the sponge ball inside.

7. Kids toss the wet sponge at the targets and aim for the highest score.

Colorful pink and blue star-shaped sponge on a concrete sidewalk near chalk drawings.

Benefits Of This Outdoor Activity For Kids

Metal tub filled with pink, blue, and purple kitchen sponges outdoors on a gravel surface

Aside from being a super fun summer activity for kids, this DIY sponge toss has multiple developmental benefits for kids, including:

  • Building hand-eye coordination as kids aim and throw;
  • Strengthening fine and gross motor skills;
  • Encouraging active outdoor play;
  • Introducing early math skills through scoring and number recognition;
  • Supporting turn-taking and social skills during group play; and
  • Providing sensory fun with water and soft textures

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy for details.

Summer Books To Read

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:22 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:21 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:21 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:20 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:20 pm GMT
The Watermelon Seed
$18.99 $10.90
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 06:19 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 05:01 pm GMT
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 05:01 pm GMT
Swimmy
$18.99 $6.49
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/17/2026 12:04 pm GMT
Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
a diy sponge toss outdoor activity for kids with a bucket full of water and sponges

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

The Best DIY Sponge Toss Outdoor Activity For Kids

Recipe by stacie

This DIY sponge toss is an easy outdoor activity for kids. It’s easy to put together, budget-friendly, and will keep kids busy for hours!


  • Total Time10

Materials

     Kitchen sponges

     Rubber band

     Sidewalk chalk

     Bucket of water


Instructions

1.   Cut three sponge into 3 strips (you’ll have 9 strips total).

2.   Stack all 9 sponge strips into a pile.

3.   Wrap a rubber band tightly around the center of the stack.

4.   Fluff out the sponge pieces to form a soft sponge ball.

5.   Use sidewalk chalk to draw targets on the ground (circles with numbers work great!).

6.   Fill a bucket with water and place the sponge ball inside.

7.   Kids toss the wet sponge at the targets and aim for the highest score.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Category: DIY, Summer
  • Method: Step-by-Step
author avatar
stacie
Stacie is a former first grade teacher who loves to share educational activities to help kids learn, grow, and develop! She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Child Development with a focus on Mental Health.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star