20 Fun Swimming Pool Games for Kids to Maximize Your Summer Fun

Swimming is a great way to stay cool and have some fun on a hot day. However, it can get boring playing the same game repeatedly. This post will list 20 fun swimming pool games for kids. From water volleyball to Marco Polo, there are games for all sorts of moods.

So whether you’re looking for some competitive games or just some good old fashion fun, This list has something for everyone!

Amazing 20 Fun Swimming Pool Games for Kids

1.Marco Polo

Marco Polo is pretty much like playing tag in the swimming pool. It’s a great way for kids to hone listening skills, communication skills and have fun.

Number of players

3 or more

How to play

• Have a designated play area by setting boundaries.
• The kid playing Marco Polo shuts their eyes, puts their arms out and shouts “Marco!”
• The other kids respond “Polo!” and try to avoid being touched by the kid playing Marco Polo.
• If the kid playing Marco Polo tags one player, the tagged kid assumes the role of Marco Polo.
• However, if the kid playing Marco Polo fails to tag another player after 5 minutes, they have lost, and another player assumes the role of Marco Polo.

2.Floatie Race

Floatie Race is more of a relay race comprising two teams.

Number of players

5 or more

How to play

• Two players on their respective floats race each other to one end of the pool and back, all the while kicking, paddling, and using their arms.
• Once back at the starting point, they tag another player who takes the float and joins in the race.

Tip: The game is more fun when played in a longer pool.

3.Raft Battle

Raft Battle is a game of strategy and chance. You’ll need to think quickly in order to be the last one standing so that you can claim victory.

Number of players

10 or more

How to play

• You and your team must work together to take down your opponents’ rafts before they knock down yours.
• Players will use their paddles to push the opponent’s raft away from theirs as well as to keep themselves afloat.

4.Cardboard Boat Race

Get a bunch of cardboard boxes and let your kids compete in this fun, unique game! It’s not only fun but also great for teaching kids about teamwork and cooperation.

Number of players

3 or 4

How to play

• Divide the players into two teams and let each build the most seaworthy cardboard boat.
• Once done, mark each boat and put them in the pool.
• The team whose boat floats the longest wins the game.

5.Underwater limbo

Challenge your endurance, balance, and coordination in this underwater limbo game!

Number of players

4 or more

How to play

• Lay out a line of cones or plastic cups in the shallow end of a pool at different levels.
• Ensure there’s enough space between them for each player to take their turn under the water.
• Wait for the signal and try to crawl under as many obstacles as possible.
• The goal is to get as far as possible without going under the water or touching anything.

6.Ring Toss

The Ring Toss Pool Game is an interactive game that will challenge your visual motor skills. All you need to play is a few feet of space and some pegs.

Number of players

5 or more

How to play

• The object of the game is to throw your ring around the outside of the pegs with as few tosses as possible.
• The player who does this in the least amount of throws wins.

7.Pool Volleyball

This game is great for livening up any pool event. It’s also ideal for those who are new to the sport because it doesn’t require much athleticism.

Number of players

4 or more

How to play

• Place a net across the top of your pool (make sure it doesn’t touch the water).
• Both teams take turns trying to hit the ball over the net into their opponent’s designated area of the pool.
• The team with more points wins.

8.Treasure Hunt

The Treasure Hunt Pool Game is all about exploration, discovery, and fun.

Number of players

5 or more

How to play

• Multiple items are placed in the pool, each with a different value. For example, a can of soda will be worth one point, while a necklace will be worth ten points.
• The players then dive underwater to try to locate the items.
• The player who collects items having the most value wins

9.Shark & Minnows

Shark & Minnows is a strategy game. The goal of the game is to eat as many minnows as possible.

Number of players

5-10

How to play

• One player is the shark, while the rest are minnows.
• The minnows should try to make it across the pool without getting tagged by a shark.
• To tag someone, they must get close enough to touch them with their hands or feet.
• The player who gets tagged first becomes “it” for the next time.

10.Dolphin Race

The Dolphin Race is a fun and easy game to play with the family or at your next party.

Number of players

4 or more (It can be individuals or two teams)

How to play

• For each team, a player is assigned a beach ball.
• The object of the game is to push the ball across the pool using only their nose.
• Anyone who breaks the rule, such as touching the ball by hand, gets back to the starting line.
• The first team or player to get the ball to the other end of the pool wins.

11.Pool Scrabble

Pool Scrabble is a multiplayer game with a competitive twist.

Number of players

5-10

How to play

• Scrabble chips containing letters, numbers, and special symbols are thrown into a shallow pool.
• The players are to retrieve the chips and form valid words on a rack by the side of the pool.

 12.Scavenger Race

The Scavenger Race is a fun and challenging game, perfect for any pool party. It can be played by as few as two people or as many as you want.

Number of players

2 or more

How to play

• Items are tossed randomly into the pool.
• Each player is given a list of scavenger items to find in the pool, but with the pressure of a ticking clock.
• The player that brings back the most items before the time expires wins.

13.Octopus Attack

Octopus Attack is a really fun game where you have to be quick enough to avoid getting caught! It brings out the competitive side and can have as many players as you want.

Number of players

10 or more

How to play

• One player designated as the ‘octopus’ stands in the middle of the pool as the others try to cross.
• Every person the ‘octopus’ tags join in the middle to make the ‘octopus’ grow.

14.Tug of War

Tug of War is a sport where two teams try to take possession of a rope and pull it out of the other team’s hands.

Number of players

10 or more

How to play

• Players divide into two teams having an even number of players.
• Each team pulls on opposite ends of a rope in order to drag their opponent across the pool.
• The team that pulls the rope the farthest is the winner.

15.Follow the Leader

The goal of this game is to stay as close as possible to the person leading the way.

Number of players

4 or more

How to play

• Determine who will be the leader, participants, and outside observer.
• Set up boundaries for where participants can go in the pool.
• The leader starts swimming by moving across or around the pool in any direction they wish.
• Participants try to swim alongside them while staying within the boundaries set up by themselves or an outside observer.
• Any player who goes the wrong way or out of the boundary gets eliminated by the observer.

16.Tag Team Attack

Tag Team Attack is a fast-paced, competitive game that requires teamwork, strategy, and bravery. It’s a game that can be played by all ages.

Number of players

10 or more

How to play

• To play, the players divide into pairs comprising a younger kid and a grown-up.
• The grown-ups hoist younger kids on their backs.
• While at it, they try to push younger kids on the shoulders of other grown-up players to knock them down.
• The pair that lasts longer wins the game.

17.Ping Pong Catch

Ping Pong Catch is simple yet challenging. The goal is to collect as many ping pong balls to beat other players.

Number of players

4 to 10

How to play

• Participants line up on one edge of the pool.
• Ping pong balls are thrown at random into the pool.
• At the signal, players swim to catch them.
• Whoever catches the most is the winner.

18.Seaweed Struggle

Fun, challenging, and addictive, this game is perfect for the whole family to play together.

Number of players

At least 10

How to play

• Players divide into two teams, with the majority banding together to form a ‘seaweed’ at the center of the pool.
• The other participants have to swim across the pool and avoid getting caught by the ‘seaweed’

19.Frisbee Toss

This is a great game for kids to play, but adults may find it entertaining as well.

Number of players

2 or more

How to play

• Each player throws the Frisbee from one end of the pool to the other.
• The goal is to get as close to the opposite side without going off the deck.
• If you get closer than your opponent, then you win that round.

Tip: For the game to be fair, each player has to throw from the same area each time

20.Hit The Bobbing Head

Welcome to the world of Hit The Bobbing Head, a multiplayer game for swimming pools!

Number of players

At least 5

How to play

• Choose one player to stand in the middle of the pool while holding a water balloon.
• Other participants get to surround him while staying underwater.
• The middle player throws the balloon to anyone who bobs their head up.

Conclusion

These great swimming pool game ideas will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. They not only make the day more exciting but also provide physical and mental benefits for kids. The only thing left to do is to pack your swimsuit and get ready for a day at the pool!