How to play pool games with some crazy fun activities for kids. Wondering what games to play in the pool? The summer is the best time to play swimming pool games! Of course, you can just swim for fun, but here are some fun pool games so that you can enjoy the pool with tons of water games, racing games, and even games for swimming lessons.
Do you have a great pool game for summer? If so, leave it in the comments and if approved I’ll add it to this post so I can feature you and inspire fellow Tip Junkie’s with your fabulous idea. I will always give proper credit as I’m all about promoting creative women! {squeal in delight}
Water Games
You don’t have to wonder what games to play in the pool. Here are some of the best and most popular water and DIY pool games that people play on a hot summer day. It’s really no fun unless you cool off with water.
1. DIY Sponge Ball Water Tag ~ Instead of a water balloon fight, try these DIY sponge balls! No need to pick up balloon pieces after the big fight, just collect the sponge balls and save them for the next round!
2. Marco Polo ~ Probably the most famous pool game, this is tag with “it’s” eyes closes. It calls “MARCO”, everyone else yells back “POLO” so that the “it” can “hear” where everyone is to try to tag them.
3. Atomic Whirlpool ~ Line up single file along the edge of the pool in the shallow end. Walk for a couple of minutes, then jog for a couple of minutes, then “run” around the edge another couple of minutes. The current will “carry” them around the pool. Now have them go against the current and see if they can. {{they shouldn’t be able to}}
Funny Pool Games for Entertaining
Pool games can add a lively mood to any party or get-together. Check out this gallery of entertaining DIY pool games with some great ideas that are easy to execute. No more thinking about what games to play in the pool with these fab ideas!
3. Watermelon Push Relay ~ Funny relay race for one person or can be like 3 player pool games. Push a watermelon from one end of the pool to the other without touching the bottom of the pool with their feet. It’s harder than it seems., but it’s one of the coolest team games ever! {wink}
4. Belly Flop Contest ~ I’m not sure why anyone would want to have one of these, but kids seem to adore them. They belly flop into the water and best flop wins. Easy peasy. You won’t need any props in these kinds of fun (but kinda painful) DIY pool games.
5. Popsicle ~ This is like freeze tag for the pool. One person is it and tries to tag the other players. If a player is tagged, they must stand frozen like a popsicle (with hands straight in the air) until another player thaws them by swimming between the players legs. Change the “it” person every few minutes.
6. Canon Ball ~ Fold your legs up to your chest and wrap your arms around them holding your body in a ball while jumping into the pool making the biggest and best splash you can. The winner is the one with the best splash.
Games for Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons can be boring for kids. Here, we have some fun games that kids can use to entertain themselves while the coach teaches them to swim.
7. Submarine Race ~ See who can race the farthest underwater holding your breath.
Swimming Pool Games for Adults
Here’s how to play some amusing water games that are ideal for adult parties or other outdoor gatherings. Thinking about what games to play in the pool? This list is your answer. This can be done as 3 player pool games, or by individual competition.
8. Noodle Jousting ~ Grab a two noodles and two pool rafts. Participants sit on rafts and then “jousts” until one falls off the rafts. This is one of the super fun team games you can play! Oh, with 3 player pool games? Definitely a yes.
9. Chicken Fight ~ This one is dangerous in my opinion. Four people are required in these kinds of team games. One gets on the other others shoulders and the other team does the same. They square off and then the two top people try to knock each other off. I would say this is strictly for adults only, and remember to stay in the middle of the pool while playing these kinds of pool games.
Swimming Games
If you and your child don’t like sitting still for swimming lessons, you’re in luck. There are games you can play with your child during one-on-one or small group times for some team games. Check out this article for entertaining ways to enhance your swim lessons while having some swimming pool games!
10. Shark ~ This is basically water “tag”. The “shark” is “it”, and they have to swim around until they tag someone and they become the shark. Make up your own rules just like in tag. Can be a good game for adults too.
11. Ping Pong ~ Ping Pong Balls won’t sink so you can play games with them on the surface of the water. Use your imagination and make up all sorts of games.
Diving Games
If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted way to stimulate your child to learn the basics of swimming, look no further! Here are some suggestions for games you can use at your swimming lessons which are also swimming pool games!
12. Wishing Pond ~ One of my favorite games, ever, this is where you get to dive for treasure. Parents throw a bunch of loose coins into the pool and you get to dive for them.
13. Scavenger Hunt ~ Here’s one of my favorite team games. Throw pairs of items in the pool like 2 diving sticks, 2 coins, 2 pool noodles, 2 pool rings, etc.) Have teams try to collect one of each item. First team to collect one of each wins. This can be a good game for adults as well.
14. Invisi-bottles ~ I think this is a newer pool game invention, but it’s tons of fun. Fill water bottles with pool water, cap off with while lid, and then hide on the bottom of the pool. Then have kids “find” the bottles. It’s harder than you’d think, especially if you have a truly “deep” end
Water Games for Kids
Water games are a fun way to cool off on hot summer days. Cool down without splashing around with this collection of DIY pool games that use water, or in short, swimming pool games. Check out these pool activities for toddlers, kids, and even for adults who are kids at heart!
15. Bobbing Heads ~ One player is “it” and the other players and “bobbers”. The “bobbers” must not cross their line and the “it” person tries to hit them with a pool noodle while they bob up and down in the water.
16. Colors ~ One person is “it”. They stand with their back to the other player (who are across the pool) and call out colors. If the players color is called they must silently start swimming towards the “it” player and try to touch the wall without being tagged. If they get tagged, they are “it”. I love these kinds of pool activities for toddlers. So safe and fun!
17. Duck Push ~ This is a great game for a party. Put 3-4 players at one end of the pool and give them one rubber duck each. When you say go, they must use their nose to push the duck to the other end of the pool. Another variation is that they can “blow” the duck forward. First to get their duck to the other side wins.
18. F.I.S.H ~ F.I.S.H is like P.I.G. in basketball. The first player performs a task and the other players must replicate that task. If they can’t, they take the first letter in the word. First one to spell F.I.S.H loses. These kids of pool activities for toddlers teach them spelling as well!
19. Follow the Swimmer ~ Super fun for kids, this is a game where the “followers” must copy the leader exactly. If they don’t, they get picked off. Pick a “watcher” to eliminate the kids who don’t follow the leader exactly. This is definitely one of the safest pool activities for toddlers.
Games for Girls
Girls like to have fun, but this can sometimes be boring with regular old plain water. Learn about some easy ways girls can make a boring day of playing in water more interesting here.
20. Splash Dance ~ Have swimmers or teams choreograph water ballets to their favorite pop songs. They can get super creative with props. Invite friends and family over for a show! This is one of the coolest 3 player pol games in town!
More Fun Summer Activities from Tip Junkie:
- The fun will never end when your kids and their friend play these fun relay races for kids.
- Check out these fun water games to play outside on a hot summer day.
- Gear up for some cool games and crafts using pool noodles.
- These cool summer activities for kids are real boredom busters!
- Looking for fun ways to kickoff summer season? Check these ideas out.
- Counting down the days until it’s summer is fun with these calendar ideas.
- End summer with a blast when you do these end of summer activities with your kiddos.
Time Tip: If you’re looking for something specific, type in any word in the Search Box and you’ll receive tons of creative DIY and how-to make tutorials.
 | Which fun swimming pool game is your kid’s favorite? Share it in the comments below! ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie} |
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Fun. So simple but great ideas to suggest when kids are playing together at the pool.
Oldie but goodie: who can do a handstand the longest. Or who can do the most somersaults in the water without stopping or touching the bottom.