Throwing an amazing summer party for your kids and their friends is a tall order, but with our help, we know you'll get it just right, making sure that everyone is having fun.

1. Water Slide

It's better if you do it on a hill, but if the ground is flat you can still slide, and sliding is fun! Just put on a tarp or some kind of plastic that works well with water and soap. You can get it at your local hardware store. Make sure you keep it wet and add soap for additional sliding action. Kids will love sliding on it!

2. Water Balloon Baseball

Because baseball is the classic american pastime, and because popping water balloons is fun, this happens. There are two options:

3. Zip Line: Behind Enemy Lines

Here's the thing: one kid gets to ride the zip line. The kid's equipped with a water gun. All the other kids stand at a distance equipped with water balloons. As the kid rides the zip line, all the other kids throw water balloons at him, and he gets to shoot at them with the water gun. Everyone gets wet, and they all take turns riding the zip line. Make sure the zip line isn't too high and, if it's a little high you can have tumbling mats bellow the zip line to alleviate the fall.

4. Capture the Flag + Water Balloons

It's the classic capture the flag game, with a twist. The way you tag other players is by hitting them with water balloons. While this idea is great, it requires a lot of space, that's the downside. If you think you can manage with the space available on your backyard or you think you can arrange to play this somewhere else.

5. Hot dogs & Lemonade

Of course, you have to think about the food! You can't host a cool summer party without food and nothing says summertime hot dogs and lemonade! But that's just the start. As the sun comes down and the kids are getting tired, set up a fire place and have that great s'mores-burning moment. Set up a bar so that everyone can grab what they need for their grilled s'mores sandwich. A great way to end the day.