As the weather turns hot, we look for ways to cool off. And if you’re anything like our family, you’ll head to the pool. Is there anything better than cooling off as cool, blue water swishes around you? Yes, actually. You can cool off and play some fun games! We have created our list of the best Swimming Pool Games for you. If you’re looking for non-pool water games check out our Wet Minute to win it games here.
Note: Growing up my family had strict rules about running in the pool area and other safety rules so you won’t find any running games. Of course, it is up to the pool users to use their own judgement when it comes to any activity where water and safety is involved.
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Swimming Pool Games with no set up
Swimming Pool Games with No Set Up
What Time is it Mr. Wolf
This swiming pool game is great for new swimmers. To play, all players but one line up against the pool wall. The one player who is the wolf stands halfway or ¾ ways to the other side, facing away from the other players. The group then asks “what time is it Mr. Wolf?” To which the wolf replies a number with o’clock. Example “one o’clock.” The group then moves forward that many steps (or small strokes for players who don’t reach the floor). This proceeds until the wolf calls out “lunch time!” When this happens, the group tires to swim back to the wall and the wolf tires to tag one of them. When the wolf tags a player, that player then becomes the new wolf. The game ends after a set number of rounds, time or when players have had enough.
Shark and Minnows
This an another swimming pool game that is great for new swimmers. To start there is one shark who is the middle of the pool. Next, the other players line up on the wall, the minnows. When someone says go, the minnows try to swim to the other side without getting tagged by the shark. Any minnows tagged become sharks. The new sharks join the original shark in the middle and the minnows again try to cross the pool without getting tags. Play continue until there is only one minnows left—the winner.
Octopus Tag
This game starts with one player being the octopus. The other players try to avoid being tagged by the octopus. When a player is tagged, he links arms (or holds hands) with the original octopus. Players keep being added to the octopus until there is only player left—the winner. It’s harder to move a giant string of people in the water than you think!
Bear, Bug, Frog
This game can be played on land just as easy as it can in the pool. But the water makes it more fun. Bear, Bug, Frog is played in teams. Half the players will be on one side of the pool while the others are on the other side. Each team decides what they will be—bears, bugs, or frogs. When both teams are ready, they step towards the middle of the pool saying “bear” while cupping their hands on top of their heads like bear ears, “bug” while holding their hands out to the side like wings, and “frog” while flattening their hands out on the water like a frog’s feet. They keep chanting and moving until the teams meet in the middle where both teams come to a stop. Then both teams show what they are.
Now the fun part, the bears eat the frogs. The frogs eat the bugs. The bugs sting the bear. So depending on what each team is, the chase is on. Players try tagging the other team. If a player under attack reaches the side of the pool, they are safe. If they are tagged, they become part of the other team.
Example, if team A are bears and team B are frogs then when they meet in the middle and show their symbol, team A the bears will try to tag team B the frogs. Team B will try to touch the pool wall before being caught by a bear.
If both teams are the same animal, all return to their sides and try again.
The game is over when all the players are on the same team. Or until the player are tired out.
Fruit Bowl
Next on our list of swimming pool games is Fruit Bowl. There will be one player who is “it” to start. Each corner of the pool (or shallow end) is labeled with a fruit. Example: apple, pear, strawberry and banana. Players start in any corner. The player who is “it” calls out a fruit. The other players then have to race to get to that corner. The last player to reach the corner joins the “it” player in the middle fruit bowl. The “it” player then calls out another fruit. The game continues this way until only one player is left out of the fruit bowl. That player is then the winner and the next player to be “it.”
Colours
To start colours, all players but the “it” player standing outside the pool. The “it” player stands in the middle, facing away from the other players. Everyone chooses a colour in their mind. “It” then calls out a colour. If a player has chosen this colour, then she must jump in the pool and try to swim to the other side without getting tagged by “it”. If they are tagged then she becomes “it” and the other player joins the others on the wall. Everyone then chooses a different colour. On the other hand, if the player makes it safely to the other side, “it” calls a new colour. The process keeps going until “it” tags someone. This swimming pool game ends when everyone is tired out.
Marco Polo
This classic Swimming Pool Game is a favorite with my kids. First, for large pools define the playing area. (We often stick to the shallow end only.) Next, one player closes her eyes and counts to 10 or 20 whatever works best for everyone playing. Then the “it” player calls “Marco.” The other players then have to answer “Polo.” The “it” player then tries to tag someone all the time having her eyes closed. At anytime, the “it” player can call “Marco” and the others have to reply “Polo.” Once she has tagged someone, that player then becomes “it” and the process starts over. The game ends when everyone is tired of playing.
Swimming Pool Games With Balls
Swimming Pool Games that Use Balls
Monkey in the Middle
This pool game is played the same way as out of the pool. One player (or two) stands in the middle—the monkey– of two players. The players on the end try to pass a ball back and forth over the monkey’s head. The monkey tries to catch the ball. When the monkey catches the ball, he or she takes the place of the player who threw the ball. Although it plays the same as on land, it’s more fun to jump and splash in the pool. The game ends when everyone is tired.
Mother Duck
Next on our list of swimming pool games is Mother Duck. For this game, you will need a large amount of ping pong balls. (Other balls could work too if you don’t have any ping pong balls handy.) Players start on the pool way. A non-player dumps all the ping pong balls—ducklings– in the middle of the pool. The players then have to swim and bring back as many ducklings as possible. The trick is that they can’t touch the ducklings until they get them back to the poll edge. The winner is the player with the most ducks when all the ducklings have been rounded up.
If you need some ping pong balls, shop here. Canadians can shop here.
Air Ball
In this game, players pass a ball around, trying to make sure that it doesn’t touch the water. If you miss and the ball hits the water (or leaves the pool) you are out. Last player still in wins. Alternatively, you could have each player have their own ball and must either toss it up and catch it or keep volleying it up.
Watermelon Ball
Watermelon ball is similar to football. In watermelon ball, players will be on two teams. Each team has one end of the pool as their home spot. One player from each team meets in the middle for a faceoff. The ball is tossed in the air and both players try to get possession of it. Each team tries to get the ball to the other team’s home/end zone to score a touch down. First team to a set number of points wins.
I have seen this game played with a real watermelon that has been greased. Although that sounds fun, I can’t get over the idea of adding grease of any kind to the pool water and how you would have to get it out in some way. Plus, what happens if the watermelon breaks? Then you’d have a greasy messy to clean up. (Not to mention the food waste as I’m sure that the watermelon would not be in any kind of condition to be eaten after the game.)
Instead, we play with a beach ball. Or there is a watermelon ball (CAD) that looks like great fun for the pool. Also, an “oppie” ball that has some weight on the bottom would make this a fun great time.
Blind Ball
In Blind Ball, players close their eyes and a non-player dumps ping pong balls into the water. The players then have to find as many balls as they can. The player who finds the most wins.
Human Whack-A-Mole
For this game, you’ll need either a soft ball or a beach ball. One player is “it”. The rest of the players are the moles. The moles stand in the shallow end spaced out. Their heads should be just out of the water. The “it” player throws the ball and tries to hit one of the moles. The moles can move around in the water to avoid being hit. Once hit, the mole is out of the game. The last player standing is the winner.
Swimming Pool Games with noodles, hula hoops and more
Swimming Pool Games with Noodles, Hula Hoops and More
Basketball
For this game, you need a ball and a hula hoop. Place the hula hoop somewhere in the pool (you could anchor it if you’d like). Next, a player choose the “throw” spot. Everyone gets one chance to throw a ball and get it in the hoop from that spot. A player gets one point if they get the ball in the hoop. Next, a different player picks a throw spot. This continues until a plyer reaches a set number of points.
You can also buy Poll Basketball sets. Canadians can shop here.
Floating Tic Tac Toe
Tic tac tow is our next on the list of the best swimming pool games. For this game, you need nine hula hoops that are tied together. (Zip ties or masking tape works great.) You will also need several floating items in two different colours. Once the tic tac toe board is made, players stand at a distance and take turns trying to throw their markers into the correct hoops to make a tic tac toe.
If you don’t have nine hula hoops, you could “draw” a board on an air mattress or you could buy a floating tic tac toe game here. Canadians can shop here.
Squirt Race
In Squirt Races, each player needs a spray or water gun and a ball. (Balls should be the same size.) Players start on one side of the pool with their guns and ball. They then race their balls across the pool using the squirt guns to push the balls across—no hands! First player to have their ball touch the pool side wins.
This could be done in a round robin style if you only two balls and squirt guns.
You can get your squirt guns here. Canadians can get their squirt guns here.
Sunken Bottle
For this swimming pool game, you will need a full clear water bottle with the label removed. Players face away from the pool and a non-player drops the bottle somewhere in the pool. When the non-player calls go, all players then race to be the player to find and retire the bottle.
Frisbee Numbers
In Frisbee Numbers swimming pool game, you need several Frisbees. Turn the Frisbees over and write numbers in them—these will be the points so 10, 20, 30 are good choices. (If you don’t want to write on the Frisbees themselves, you could put masking tape on them and write on the tape.) Float the Frisbees in the pool and then have players toss ping pong balls into them. Each player gets the same amount of balls to toss. All players shoot from the same place. The player with the highest score wins.
Frisbee Un-Float
Frisbees float when turned upside down. In this game, players use squirt guns to fill the Frisbees with water and sink them—or un-float them. First player to sink their Frisbee is the winner.
Sinky Collecting
For this game, you can use sinky toys or coins or a mix of both. First, a player tosses the toys or coins into the pool and lets them sink to the bottom. Next, players race to collect the most toys or coins. The player who collects the most wins.
You can get a collection of sink toys here. Canadians can get their dive toys here.
Swimming Pool Games – Races
Who can resist racing through the water? At some point it’s a must. Here are some unique ways to race.
Mermaid Races – racers must keep their feet and legs together like a mermaid tail. They can kick but must do it as one tail.
Tuck Ball – racers bring their knees up to their chests and swim using only their arms.
Floatie race – players all get a floatie (pool noodles, air mattresses, ect) they must stay on their floatie as they race.
Head Ball – each racer needs a ball. In the race they can only use their heads to push the ball to the other side of the pool.
Noodle Feet – each racer need a pool noodle. To race, players stand on the noddle and must keep the noodle on the pool floor as they make their way across the pool.
Seal Race – seals love their beach balls. For his race, each player needs a beach ball type ball. They tuck the ball under them and try to race across the pool.
Toss Relay – in this relay race player race in pairs. The first player starts at the pool edge. The second player swims to where they think their team mate can toss them a ball. The first player tosses and if the second catches the ball, swims ahead to a spot to be tossed too.
The Most Pool Fun
When the days are long and hot, there is no better place to cool off than in the swimming pool. With these games and some creativity, we’ll never want to leave the water.
But when you do get waterlogged, check out our Family Game Shelf Shop and our Save the Pool Party escape room for kids, our game reviews, dice games and card games. Also check out these waterproof cards so you can play poolside! And for more wet and wild games check out our Wet Minute to Win it Games – no pool needed.
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