A water game that periodically releases a volume of water. The game includes a trough that is pivotally connected to a stand. The trough is in fluid communication with a source of water such as a garden hose that is attached to the stand. The hose provides water that fills the trough. The water trough has a cavity that is offset from the stand so that the trough pivots about the stand and releases a volume of water when the water reaches a certain level. The trough rotates back into an upright position and again becomes filled with water, wherein the process is repeated. The stand can support the trough above a mat. A game participant can slide across the mat as the trough releases water to simulate a "riding of a wave".

An interactive play structure is provided for facilitating team-oriented or group interactive play to achieve a common desired effect. The play structure includes a number of play elements disposed at various locations and elevations throughout the play structure. Each play element can be activated or operated by one or more play participants to complete one of several necessary steps in a chain of triggering events resulting in energy being transferred from one play element to the next. The overall completion of the chain of events results in a common desired result or effect, such as a domino-like cascade of various mechanisms, balls, water and/or the like. Play participants achieve the final goal through a collective team effort requiring the coordinated completion of several smaller objectives comprising each necessary step in the chain of triggering events.

An apparatus for teaching a child about basic fluid piping systems comprises a kit having a plurality of pipes and pipe fittings, and a media embodying element, all of which are packaged together for sale. The pipes and pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types and are adapted to be interconnected with one another to form a variety of operable fluid piping systems. The media embodying element includes media that conveys information in a form that can be comprehended by children about the manner in which the pipes and pipe fittings may be interconnected with one another to form various fluid piping systems, which are adapted for connection to a water source for operating the fluid piping systems. An associated method comprises the steps of providing a water source; supplying a child with a plurality of pipes and pipe fittings that are adapted to be interconnected with one another; and equipping the child with a media embodying element that conveys information to the child about the manner in which the pipes and pipe fittings may be interconnected with one another to form a variety of operable fluid piping systems supplied with water from the water source.

A self-contained interactive play structure is provided having an outer housing and a plurality of towers disposed within the housing. A plurality of play media including impact-safe projectile accelerators are disposed throughout the structure. A central targeting area is provided having targets which, when contacted by a projectile, activate desired play effects. A projectile conveyor system supplies projectiles to be shot from the projectile accelerators.

A low-cost interactive water play structure and method is provided wherein an existing dry play structure is retrofitted or converted to incorporate various interactive water play elements. Water supply conduits are mounted on or in the support members of the dry play structure to provide water to one or more water forming elements and associated control valves. Play participants adjust the various valves and can immediately observe the change in the rate, direction or velocity of water flowing from the various associated water forming elements, allowing play participants to experiment with and learn about various cause-and-effect reactions using a familiar and entertaining play medium.