Swimming Pool Games

Swimming Pool Games Add Fun!

Swimming is a great activity all on its own, but throw in a few swimming pool games, and you have the recipe for a terrific afternoon of fun and exercise!

Nearly everyone has played Marco Polo at one time or another, but there are many other swimming pool games just waiting to be tried.

Safety First

Before we give you some great swimming pool games to play with your family and friends, let's talk about swimming safety first.

No matter which game you want to play, you've got to consider both the age, and swimming ability of all participants.

• Be sure the water isn't too deep for weaker swimmers.
• Have life jackets available for whoever needs them.
• No matter what the game, designate a rest spot, or give swimmers a periodic break to catch their breath.
• Make sure that any equipment used is safe and appropriate for use in the water.
• Remove unnecessary toys and floats from the pool before the game begins so all swimmers will be in plain view.
• Always be sure to have an adult who is a strong swimmer keep an eye on the activities, especially when children are involved.

Let the Games Begin

Here are a few swimming pool games sure to please all ages.

Feeding Time!

This game is a water variation of the playground game Shark Tag. It's best to have a minimum of three players, but you can add as many more as your pool will safely hold. We'll give instructions for three swimmers, and you can adapt them to your own number of players.

1. Choose one swimmer to be the "shark".
2. The remaining swimmers are the "minnows'.
3. Designate one edge of the pool as the "safe zone" and have the minnows wait on the opposite end in the "minnow pond".
4. The shark waits in the center of the pool, but is not allowed to enter the minnow pond.
5. When the shark yells "Feeding Time!", it's time for the minnows to try to swim past the shark to the safe zone at the opposite end of the pool. If the shark tags someone before they touch the safe edge of the pool, they are caught, and now become one of the sharks for the next round.
6. The game is played until all minnows have been caught.

Diving Games

These swimming pool games are suitable for stronger swimmers who like going underwater, but should never be played in shallow water to avoid injury during dives. You can vary these games in any way you like once you have the basic concept.

1. One player is the "referee", and runs the game. Players may like to take turns at this so everyone has time in the water.
2. The rest of the players line up along the pool's edge and wait for the "go" signal.
3. The referee will toss a sinking ring or other sinkable object into the center of the pool, and then shout "go"!
4. All swimmers will then dive in and race to grab the object, and be the first to return with it to their starting spot at the edge of the pool to win.

Variations

• You can also choose to toss enough objects for each swimmer, and see who makes it home first.
• Have all divers try racing with swim fins.

Whirl Pool

This simple game requires a circular pool.

1. Have all swimmers spread out evenly in the water around the pool's edge.
2. Have everyone begin swimming around the edge in a clock-wise direction.
3. Keep going until you've created a strong, circular current that will carry everyone along in the "whirl pool".

Conclusion

We hope we've given you enough game ideas to get you started with your own swimming fun. Always keep safety in mind, and remember to be good sports, win or lose.

External Links

Need more game ideas? You'll find them at the following sites.

• FunandGames.org, plenty of swimming pool game ideas.
• The Source, even more swimming games.