Let’s explore more than Marco Polo. Playing games in the pool can reinforce skills learnt in swimming lessons. It can also improve children’s confidence and fitness levels, as well as establish that lifelong affinity with the water that is so strong in Australia.
And with summer approaching and the longest break from school all year on the horizon, spending lots of time in the water is a great way to keep your children and their friends entertained and active.
So here’s the Aquabliss List of the 12 Best Pool Games, and we say…. let the FUN AND GAMES begin!
1. Marco Polo
It is a classic pool game where one person (Marco) closes their eyes and tries to tag the other players (Polo) by listening to their calls. When someone is tagged, they become Marco.
2. Bumper Balls
You’ll need a rope or cord to place across a section of the pool, and one beach ball for each player.
Players use their beach ball to bump others onto the rope, who are then “out”. The winner is the last player in the pool who has not been bumped into the rope.
3. Underwater Limbo
Use a pool noodle or a rope to create a limbo stick. Players take turns trying to swim under the limbo stick without touching it or coming up for air.
4. Whirlpool
In a larger pool, kids can walk or swim in a circle to create a current. This game can be a lot of fun, especially as the current becomes faster, but as with all pool games, ensure it’s done safely with adult supervision.
5. Treasure or Scavenger Hunt
Throw some weighted objects or dive toys into the pool. Children take turns diving down to retrieve them. You can make it competitive by seeing who can collect the most treasures.
6. Duck Push
If you don’t have enough rubber ducks floating around (and preferably different ones so they know whose duck is whose!), you can improvise with other inflatable toys.
Give each player a rubber duck and from one end of the pool, when you say “go”, they must push the duck to other end of the pool, without using their hands!
To complicate the game, allow distractions, for e.g., splashing. Or have the players start from each end of the pool and see what chaos erupts when they meet each other in the middle.
7. Duck, Duck, Splash
A pool adaptation of the classic game “Duck, Duck, Goose”.
Children stand in a circle in waist(ish) height pool water. One child walks around the outside of the circle, tapping others on the head, saying “Duck, Duck, Splash” instead of “Goose”.
When they say “Splash”, the tapped child chases the first child around the circle. They’ll burn up lots of energy trying to run in the water!
A variation of this can be used before getting into the pool, to build up some anticipation, or to set some ground rules for team games whilst still on dry land.
This can also be good to help children get used to getting their head wet (but make sure you monitor how much water is in the cup.)
Children sit in the garden (not on slippery and/or hot tiles), with a child walking around the outside of the circle, holding a cup of water. The child who is “splashed” with the cup of water than chases the first child around the circle.
8. Sharks and Minnows
One player is the “shark”, and the rest are “minnows”. The shark goes to the middle of the pool, while the minnows gather on one end of the pool. The shark calls out “fishy, fishy, come out to play”. The shark then tries to tag the minnows as they swim across to the other side of the pool.
If a minnow player is tagged, they become a shark. The group of sharks will continue to grow, and the minnow group will shrink. The last minnow to survive without getting tagged wins the game.
9. Invisible Bottle
Fill a clear plastic bottle with pool water and toss it into the pool. Kids take turns to retrieve it.
The clear water makes it harder to see, adding an element of challenge. Try and find a bottle whose cap closest matches your pool tiles to make the bottle harder to find.
You could even make this into a competition. The kids turn away and when they hear the splash of the bottle hitting the water they turn around and try to find it.
10. Splash Basketball or Volleyball
Set up a floating basketball hoop and have the children take turns trying to make shots.
For splash volleyball you don’t even need any equipment, no net required. Just know where the dividing line is and just make sure the ball doesn’t splash into the water on your side of the pool.
You can keep track of points for a friendly competition.
11. Water Balloon Toss
While not a traditional pool game, you can have a water balloon toss in the pool. Kids can stand at increasing distances and toss a water balloon back and forth. Even though they are already wet, there will still be squeals of laughter when the balloon finally bursts.
Safety First
Remember, always supervise children in the pool, regardless of the game they are playing, as accidents can happen.
Children can easily get carried away with their fun and forget some of their basic safety rules (especially relating to running around the pool, jumping, diving, and bombing!)
Keep the sunscreen, rash vest and hats on to prevent sunburn, and keep chilled drinks and snacks handy to fuel your little warriors!
Additionally, ensure that the games are appropriate for the age and swimming ability of the participants, and if they need help, jump in and enjoy the fun!
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The opportunity to play all these games adds an extra incentive for your children to complete all their swimming lessons diligently so that they can be well-prepared and confident when the warmer weather arrives.
Plus, it’s a great way for the family to spend quality time together while staying active and cool.
Not currently swimming with us? Take a look at our programs, or contact us. We’d love you to be part of our extended Aquabliss family.