Great for a game of tag on a scorching hot day, squishy sponge balls are summer's alternative to snowballs. Made from kitchen sponges that are cut up and tied together, they last longer than water balloons and are softer and splashier than regular balls. Best of all, after tossing them around, the kids will be as clean as the kitchen dishes.

Sponge Ball How-To
You will need three 1/2-by-2 3/4-by-4 1/4-inch sponges. Use new sponges, and be sure not to wet them ahead of time; they are easier to cut straight out of the package. With a pen and a ruler, make five lines lengthwise on a sponge, each 1/2 inch apart. Use scissors to cut the sponge, using the lines as a guide, into six rods. Repeat with the other two sponges. Lay strips on top of each other in three layers, five to six to a layer. Cinch them across the middle with a piece of string; knot it tightly. Fluff pieces out into a ball.