Swimming Pool Games
Family Fun Activities and Play for a Backyard Pool or Lake
Swimming games can make an afternoon in the pool or lake more fun for children of all ages.
Don’t let the heat keep children inside. Get outside and cool off with some water games. Following are games to play in a pool or lake.
Marco Polo
Marco Polo is probably the most popular pool game and it can be played with as few as two people. Game play begins when "it" either is blindfolded or closes his eyes. He ducks into the water and then comes out shouting “Marco.” The other players, who have scattered around the pool, reply “Polo.” Game play continues until Marco tags one of the other players. The tagged player becomes the new Marco.
Treasure Hunt
To play treasure hunt in the pool, requires numerous objects that will sink, and are not sharp. Homemade treasures can be made from plastic Easter eggs filled with rocks or coins. Have the players close their eyes, then scatter the objects around the pool. Count to three, have them open their eyes, and start diving for treasures. Whoever gets the most treasures wins the game.
Pick-up Ice Cubes
This is a game that works best in a wading pool. First, add some food dye to water and freeze in several ice cube trays. Another option is to place marbles in the ice cube trays and freeze. Throw the ice cubes in the water. Players try to pick up as many ice cubes as possible with their toes and throw them out of the pool. The player who eliminates the most ice cubes wins.
Beach Ball Race
The object of this game is for players to push a beach ball with their nose, while swimming, to the other end of the pool. The first player whose beach ball reaches the end of the pool wins.
This game can also be played as a relay race. In this version, when the player reaches the end of the pool he must turn around and continue to push the beach ball with his nose until his beach ball reaches the starting position. Then, the next team member takes over.
Doughnut Float Race
This race is best for long pools. Racers sit in a doughnut float at the shallow end of the pool. When they are told to “go” they must race to the other end of the pool using their hands as paddles.
London Bridge is Falling Down
This game can be played at the shallow end of the pool or in deeper water, depending on the swimming abilities of players. Two players hold each other’s hands high, while each of the other players walks under the bridge. After each player walks under the bridge, the bridge is lowered. Eventually players will have to swim under the bridge. However, the bridge can be raised to accommodate younger players.
