10 Swimming Pool Games For Kids

September 12, 2017

1. Marco Polo: This swimming pool game is by far the most classic of all pool games. Named after the 13th century explorer, Marco Polo is played by two people or much better with a small crowd.

Choose one person to become “Marco”.
That player will be blindfolded, and try to tag the rest of the participants in the pool.
To locate other people, he should yell out “Marco!” while the others must respond “Polo!”.
The first person to be tagged will be the new Marco
2. Dolphin Race: This game consists of four or more players. It can be done through a race or relay.
- Each team will be given a ball.
- Players must move the ball from the end of the pool to another, using only their noses to push the balls as they swim.
- Using a hand to push the ball is not allowed, and any player to do so must return to the starting point.
- The first team to finish will be declared the winner.

3. Atomic Whirlpool: Have everybody to get in the pool and form a line along the edge with very little space between them. Let the participants walk for the first couple of minutes, then jog for the next few minutes, then run along the edge for another couple of minutes. By doing the game properly, they will be able to create a current that will carry them around the pool. Lastly, tell the kids to go the other way, which will be a fun yet hard time for them to go against the water current.

4. Watermelon Push Relay: This game is packed with fun suitable for one person or for teams. The mechanics is simple as the common relay game; but the twist is, you have to push the “watermelon” from the pool’s end to another without touching bottom of the pool with your feet.

5. Belly Flop Contest: This one seems to be the most entertaining and adorable game for kids to play. The player to have the best belly flop will win the game.

6. London River: If you want your kids to engage into a fun and active swimming pool game, London River is suitable for your activity plans.

What you need is a water hose, and six or more players.
One person will get into the pool while holding the water hose under the water.
The rest of the players will walk around the pool while singing “London river’s flooding up, flooding up, flooding up… my fair lady” in the tune of London Bridge song.
The player holding the hose will spray water onto the singers whenever “flooding up” is sung.
When the phrase “Take the key and lock her up” is sung, the hose is handed to another player who in turn, jumps into the swimming pool.
The game ends when everyone is in the pool.

7. Popsicle: This game is like a tag done in the pool. A person will be assigned to tag the other players. Once tagged, they must stand frozen, with both hands in the air. A player can unfreeze them by swimming between the frozen players’ legs.

8. Shark: This is another version of water tag games. A player will be chosen to be the “shark” or as the “it” player. He/she will have to swim around and tag someone to become the shark. You can make up your own rules or put up some twist to the game to make it even more fun!

9. Wishing Pond: Like treasure hunting under the sea, this game allows the children to dive for treasure. Throw a bunch of coins, beaded necklace, seashells, or any delightful object that will submerge into the pool water, and let the kids dive for these surprises! Just make sure that these items are not sharp, not made of glass and will not stain your pool’s surface.

10. Numbers Crunch: Divide the kids into two sets of teams. Have them form a line on the sides of the pool, and hand them a plastic bucket. Number your ping-pong balls which will represent as the score, then scatter it all over the pool. With your go signal:

Both teams will jump into the pool and try to collect the balls and place it into their team’s bucket.
Only one ball will be allowed for each player to retrieve.
When all balls are collected, the number written on the balls will be added up to determine the team’s score.
The team to get the highest score wins.