Summer is in full swing and that means one thing: pool time! Whether you’re at a neighborhood pool or relaxing at a resort, there’s nothing better than spending a hot day playing games in the water.
There are so many fun games to play at the pool — do you remember the games we played as kids? It seems like it was yesterday that we were all lathering on the SPF to go spend the day at the neighborhood pool diving for pennies and eating popsicles at Adult Swim.
Fun Games to Play at the Pool
Marco Polo: This classic game is a great way to get everyone in the pool moving. One player is chosen to be “it” and tries to find the other players by calling out “Marco!” The other players must respond with “Polo!” and try to stay close together so they can hear each other. If you get caught, then you’re the tagger and the game continues on. This is by far the most entertaining of the fun games to play at the pool from my childhood.
Water Balloon Toss: Divide your group into teams of two and give each team a water balloon. Players must stand on opposite sides of the pool and take turns tossing the balloon to their partner. If the balloon pops, that team is out! The last team standing wins. This game is obviously more suited for a private pool, so I wouldn’t go try this one at the local pool. Be sure to clean up any balloon debris in the event that a balloon pops.
Treasure Hunt: Hide small toys or trinkets around the pool area for players to find. Give each player a bucket or bag to collect their treasures. Pennies work great for this game, but so do diving sticks and pool rings. The person with the most treasure at the end wins!
Duck, Duck, Goose: This classic childhood game is perfect for the pool! Players sit in a circle on the edge of the pool. One player walks around the outside of the circle and taps each player on the head, saying “duck” until they choose someone to be “it.” That player then chases them around the circle and tries to catch them before they can sit back down in their spot.
What time is it, Mr. Shark?: This game is similar to “What Time is It, Mr. Fox”, but with a twist! One player is chosen to be the shark and must turn their back on the rest of the players. The group calls out “What time is it, Mr. Shark?” and he responds with a time. The children must step or swim that many strokes. When the shark believes that someone is in his sight, he can call out the finale of “Midnight” and then swim after the others. If you get tagged, you’re now the shark.
Sharks and Minnows: This is a classic pool game that is sure to get everyone moving. One player is chosen to be the shark and stands in the middle of the pool. The rest of the players line up at one end of the pool. When the shark says “go,” all of the players must swim to the other side without getting caught by the shark. If a player is caught, they become a minnow and help the shark catch the other players. The last player standing is the winner!
Noodle Jousting: This game is sure to be a hit with all of the kids (and adults!) in your group. Players each get a pool noodle and try to knock their opponents off of their floaties or rafts. The last person floating wins!
What’s That Sound?: This game is perfect for lazy afternoons by the pool. One player starts by saying a phrase or a song lyric underwater and the others have to go underwater and guess what they’re saying.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your swimsuit and head to the pool for a day of fun in the sun!
Do you have a favorite pool game that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!
