There’s nothing I loved more as a kid during those hot summer months than water balloon fights. The worst part, though? When Mom made us pick all the balloon fragments out of the yard afterwards. Thanks to reusable water balloons, that’s no longer a problem!
We got a little wacky and wild this summer trying out these more eco-friendly alternatives to disposable balloons. Read on to hear our review of these summer fun approved toys. Oh and warning: you may get wet.
What Are Reusable Water Balloons?
As the name indicates, reusable water balloons are similar to the traditional version, but do not use a disposable balloon as the outer shell. Instead, they are made from a reusable material, the most common of which are silicone or yarn.
Regardless of which version you get, they’re designed to be soft when they hit so they’re safe for play. Each is able to be filled again and again, with no need to constantly buy more “ammo” for your backyard water balloon fight.
Features of the Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons
- Refill in just one second
- Comes in a pack of 16
- Reusable
- Soft silicone outer layer
- Self sealing with magnetic closure
- Eco friendly and chemical free
Pros and Cons: Things to Know About Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons
Are There Different Versions of Reusable Water Balloons?
Yes, in addition to a large number of manufacturers making each type, there are 5 primary versions of reusable water balloons:
- Magnetic
- Crochet
- Cotton Ball
- Hurricane
- Rubber Balloon
You’ll also sometimes see them referred to as “water bombs” or “water grenades”. At the end of the day, they all serve the same purpose, with slightly different attributes. Why am I talking mostly about magnetic here? I think they’re the best reusable water balloon. Read on to learn why.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reusable Water Balloons
Do Reusable Water Balloons Hurt?
No! Reusable water balloons are made from a soft material in all cases, specifically designed not to hurt. They’re safe for use by kids as young as 3 years old.
What are Reusable Water Balloons Made Of?
There are different types of reusable water balloons available. That said, they are most commonly made of cotton, silicone, and similar soft plastics or fibers.
How do Reusable Water Balloons Work?
Reusable water balloons work by absorbing or filling with water. Once filled, they are thrown at a person or object. Upon impact, the water is released. Then, the balloon compartment may be filled again for reuse.
Product Comparisons and Review of Reusable Water Balloons
Magnetic Water Balloons vs. Reusable Cotton Water Balls
Compared to the magnetic balloons, the cotton water balls:
- Are a lower price point
- Come in a larger package
- Absorb water (instead of filling)
- Made from just cotton
- About the same size (2.5” diameter)
- Produce a much lower splash
In short: To me, the point of a water balloon fight is to get soaked. These cotton water balls offer more of a wet “spot” vs a “splash” which is disappointing to me. However, they are nice and soft, and you get a giant bag of them for a reasonable price.
I’m also always cautious about things that can breed mold or mildew if they don’t dry real well before storage. We didn’t have an issue, but it’s another reason I prefer silicone or plastics in this case.
Hurricane Water Bombs vs. Magnetic Refillable Water Balloons
Compared to the magnetic option, Hurricane Water Bombs:
- Are a higher price point
- Require submerging to fill
- Need to be “prepped” before filling
- Leak easily
- Won’t pop water well
In short: The Hurricane refillable water balloons are a miss for me. Smaller kids struggle to fill them on their own. They take longer to fill overall, and you have to make sure the side tabs are in the perfect place or they’ll leak.
I also find that after all that, they still don’t release water evenly, and require some force to create a splash. For the additional cost, I just don’t find them worth it.
Magnetic vs Crochet Reusable Water Balloons
Compared to the magnetic variety, crocheted water balloons:
- Feature a lower price point
- Absorb water instead of filling
- Produce little to no splash
- Can be DIYed
In short: I do like the crocheted water balloons. They’re available in tons of fun colors, and they’re easy to soak and use. However, like the cotton ball option, they suffer from a lower splash output and the same need to dry carefully.
If you’re handy, this is the option that’s easiest to create yourself. Just pick up a crochet water balloon pattern and get your stitching on! For me, I’m certainly not talented enough to get this done, but it may be a good alternative for someone who is.
Water Wubble Reusable Water Balloon Balls vs Magnetic
Last up, we’re comparing the magnetic water balloons to Water Wubble reusable balls. The Water Wubble:
- Looks more like a traditional balloon (but still requires no tying)
- Needs a hose to fill easily
- Is extremely difficult to throw
- Has a very unreliable water output
In short: I wanted to like these, because they look most like the traditional water balloon we know and love. However, the Water Wubble is best filled with a hose. You can stretch the opening with both hands and submerge to fill it, but it takes strength and coordination with a poor result.
Once filled, honestly good luck throwing it. It’s like a squishy, gelatinous blob. Even if you somehow manage to launch it with any accuracy, I give it about a 50% chance it’ll actually dump water on your target. If it does, the output is nice, but it’s too unreliable to me.
Our Overall Ratings of the Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons
Bottom Line
I definitely recommend magnetic reusable water balloons. They offer the great splash factor you’re looking for, and leave no mess. Kids can operate them without adult help as well, and they’re reusable for years to come.
If you’re concerned about your kids filling from a pool or larger body of water, use a smaller bucket to control the amount of open water around. As always, parental supervision is recommended for any outdoor play.
Where to Buy
Want your own magnetic reusable water balloons? Here are some options for price comparisons (note that they come in different quantities from different retailers):
Related Products
Looking for more fun in the sun? Here are some splash worthy products you may enjoy:
The pool punisher tank pool float arms you with an inflatable water cannon for blasting everyone!
Speaking of tanks, this RC water bomb tank fires real, tiny water beads for mini splashing action!
An inflatable shark water slide offers bounce house meets water park action for your backyard!
With slip and slide bowling, you’ll get soaked barreling towards the pins at the end of the track!
If you need an easier way to prep more traditional water balloons for a fight, try Bunch O Balloons with rapid-fill capability!
GIFTOURS Reusable Water Balloons Quick Fill Self Sealing, Refillable Water Balls for Kids, Reusable Water Bomb Splash Balls for Pool, Rapid Filling Easy Tying Water Balloon for Water Fight Game, Summer Party (16 PCS)
Features
| Part Number | WFB-518 |
| Color | 16 Pcs |
