Last weekend my buddies and I finally did our beach water games test run after weeks of talking. Let me walk you through the messy, fun chaos step by step.
The Setup Struggle Was Real
First I grabbed all the junk from my garage: old volleyball, dollar store pool noodles, those tiny plastic water guns that break in 5 minutes. Even dragged my kid’s inflatable donut float. Packed everything into a busted laundry basket – classy right?
Game 1: Drenched Volleyball Disaster
We tried volleyball first. Big mistake. Setting up the net took forever with the wind slapping it in our faces. Sand anchors wouldn’t hold right. Then Jeremy spikes the ball straight into the net – SNAP. Cheap plastic crap disintegrates. Volleyball sinks like a rock. Zero points.
- Learning: Buy actual beach volleyball gear
- Actual Fun Level: 2/10
Game 2: Water Gun Showdown Win
Switched to water guns. Filled ’em up in the gross public shower puddles (don’t judge). We split into teams and went full guerrilla mode behind towels and coolers. Best part? Sarah tried sneak attacking from the ocean but wiped out spectacularly in knee-deep water. Everybody lost it laughing.
- Cheap Thrill Tip: Bring backup super soakers
- Actual Fun Level: 9/10
Game 3: Noodle Jousting Chaos
This was pure madness. Two people on floats, armed with pool noodles. Goal: knock opponent off. Mike and I went first. We looked like drunken walruses trying to balance. I swung my noodle sideways – missed Mike completely but smacked Lisa who was just spectating with her phone. Her priceless scream had everyone dying. Total accident but best moment of the day.
Bonus: Kids stole the noodles later and made a floating obstacle course themselves. Sometimes kids just get it right.
The Real MVP That Day
Turned out to be a random plastic bottle we found. Made a killer “keep the bottle flying” game just by tossing it around in the shallow waves. Lasted way longer than the volleyball ever did. Zero prep, zero cost.
So yeah… expensive toys aren’t everything. Plastic bottle wins the championship this summer. Now where’s my sunscreen?