Mega Battleship

Launch the Fleet #

Mega Battleship is a large-scale, outdoor team game inspired by the classic board game Battleship. Teams launch water balloons over a tall tarp, attempting to hit opposing players hidden in a gridded zone. It's a strategic blend of guesswork, coordination, and soaking fun.

How to Play #

Each team sits on opposite sides of a large tarp draped over a volleyball net, which serves as a visual barrier. On the ground in front of each team is a marked grid, with teammates acting as the “ships” seated in assigned squares. The remaining team members stay behind the line and launch water balloons—using a large blanket slingshot or just by hand calling out coordinates and attempting to hit players on the opposing grid. If a player is hit by a balloon, they are "sunk" and must leave the field. The last team with unsunk players wins.

Rules #

Team Setup: Divide players into two teams. Each team assigns some members as ships and others as throwers.

Grid Layout: Use cones, chalk, or string to create a large square grid on each team's side (e.g., 4x5 or 5x5 squares).

Tarp Barrier: A tarp is suspended between both sides to obscure vision.

Player Positions: “Ships” must sit within their square and may not move once the game begins.

Throwing: Water balloons are tossed either by hand or with a blanket (slingshot-style), aiming over the tarp.

Turns: Teams take turns calling out coordinates and launching a balloon at that location.

Hits and Elimination: A direct balloon hit eliminates the “ship” in that square.

Winning: The team with the last remaining player(s) on the grid wins.

Materials #

Materials Required

Large Tarp: Minimum size 12 ft x 20 ft; draped over a volleyball net or suspended between two tall poles. Secure bottom corners with stakes or weights.
Water Balloons: Dozens pre-filled and stored in bins.
Blankets (optional): For launching balloons slingshot-style.
Field Markers: Cones, chalk, or string to mark out grids (e.g., 4x5 grid per team).
Buckets/Bins: To store balloons for quick access.
Volleyball Net or Support Poles: To hold the tarp in place.

Setup #

Setup Instructions

Grid Layout: Mark out a grid using cones or chalk—each square should be large enough to fit a seated player (e.g., 3 ft x 3 ft squares, 5 columns by 4 rows). Create one grid on each side of the tarp.
Tarp Setup: Drape a large tarp (minimum 12x20 ft) over a volleyball net or rope line between both sides. Ensure the tarp fully blocks line-of-sight between teams and is securely fastened.
Water Balloon Prep: Fill water balloons and place them in bins near each team’s launching area.
Player Positioning: Assign players to grid positions and have them sit cross-legged in their square. Assign remaining team members as balloon throwers.
Explain Rules: Go over how calling coordinates, launching, and elimination works. Then begin the game.