Owning a pool creates a wealth of new fun to be had in the backyard, from invigorating swims in the mornings to a relaxing dip after the sunset. But no list of poolside activities would be complete without the addition of games, especially for those with children.
For kids, swimming pools are the great equalizer. Even those that can’t quite swim can enjoy playing games in the shallow end with their friends. To help you keep the water churning all summer long, we’ve created a list of the best games you can play in your pool this season (and next!)
Non-Pool Sports
If you or your kids are sports fans, the pool is a great place to play ball. From basketball hoops on the edge of the water to simply bringing a football into the pool for a game of catch, it’s easy to incorporate your love for the game with your love for the pool.
There are also specific games that can be played within each sport. Anyone who loves basketball has played H.O.R.S.E, which can also be played with even more creativity in a pool. And don’t forget, if you have a football or other catchable ball, you can play games like Jackpot, where each player attempts to catch the ball for points until they hit the jackpot, or Monkey in the Middle.
Sharks and Minnows
While there’s not much to say about Sharks and Minnows, it’s one of the best and most beloved of the pool games. For large groups, it’s tough to beat. Playing on the innate fear we all have involving being chased by a shark in the water, this game involves speed and cleverness.
Basically, have one kid stand in the middle – the shark – and have the other kids clinging to the side. Each minnow has to cross the pool to the safety of the opposite edge without getting eaten by the shark. It’s terrifying and a lot of fun.
Marco Polo
Again, you can’t beat the classics. Marco Polo is a ton of fun, especially for kids who have just learned to swim and need to gain some confidence in the pool via a light but exciting game. You likely already know how to play it – one kid yells Marco while covering his eyes while trying to tag another, who yells Polo and tries to stay away – but there are ways to mix it up.
For example, you can decide if the kids are allowed to leave the pool during the game to scamper around the edges, or make them do animal sounds instead of saying Marco and Polo.
Air Ball
For this one, buy a beach ball and then don’t let it touch the water. That’s the entire game, and it might sound simple and even boring but frankly, anyone at any age can enjoy air ball. You can make it a contest where you’re trying to knock people out by getting the ball just out of their reach, or make it a team event where you see how many times you can bounce it before it hits the water.
You could also add a “shark”-type player, whose goal is to knock the ball out of the air, for added terror and fun. Like all of these games, use your imagination to create new elements and make them yours!
Chicken Fight
This is a game best suited for either two parents and two smallish children or older kids who are not yet so big that their necks will get hurt, which can happen if you aren’t careful when playing this game with fully grown adults.
This game plays on our natural desire to shove people and also to fall down with zero consequences. In a chicken fight, when someone falls, they fall into the water, which can be both fun and funny depending on the situation. If there are a lot of people over, make it a tournament!
Race for the Prize
For your more agile swimmers, you can design a race that allows a parent to just hang out on one end while the kids go crazy tiring themselves out. Simply buy either a floating ball/toy or a diving one like a classic torpedo, sit on one edge, and have the kids race to get the object. It’s likely the kids will tire of this one after only a few rounds, but only because it’s exhausting (in a good way!).
Trivia Jump
For our final game, one adult (or kid who doesn’t mind being still) stands in the water, looking up to his contestant(s). The adult asks trivia questions while the jumpers jump, and if they can answer while they’re in mid-air, they get a point.
There are countless ways to revise not just that game but all these games to make them yours. Just like a custom pool, play custom games in your custom pool. To learn more about how a pool can fit in your life and backyard, contact us today! You can also download our guide to daily and weekly pool maintenance to keep your pool sparkly clean all summer long.
