Basketball Dunk Games

Basketball games can do more than just provide hours of entertainment --- the Babycenter website notes that playing games can also promote physical, social and emotional development. These skills can be beneficial to both adults and children. Fortunately, there are many fun basketball dunk games that can be played in a variety of locations.

Chaos Ball

Start Chaos Ball by taping a small square of different colored construction paper onto each basketball, or find a variety of different colored or shaped basketballs. Hand each player a unique ball. When you say "go!" all players must simultaneously dunk the basketball. If a player accidentally uses the wrong ball at any time, he must exit the game. The first player to successfully make six basketball dunks with the appropriate basketball wins.

Splash Ball

Use a poolside basketball hoop or an inflatable hoop and an aquatic basketball to play Splash Ball. Separate into two teams and attempt to dunk the ball while swimming in the water. For an added challenge, set up the hoop in the deep end and attempt to stay above the water as you dunk the ball. Designate a game time or score limit --- the first team to reach it wins!

Hippopotamus

To play Hippopotamus, start by making a complicated or weird basketball dunk. Each player must attempt to duplicate your shot. If a player misses, she earns a letter in "hippopotamus." When the ball returns to the first player, he must perform another tricky shot. Players that spell the entire word "hippopotamus" by missing the basket must exit the game. The last player remaining gets to take the first shot in the next game.

Lightning

To begin, all players must line up single file. The first two players in the line should be holding a basketball. When you say "go!" the first person must try to dunk his ball. But as soon as the ball leaves his hands, the second player must attempt to dunk his ball before the first player manages to. If the first player misses the shot, he can attempt to rebound it. However, he must exit the game if the player behind him dunks his ball. Continue the pattern until there is only one player left.