Pool Games for the Whole Family
With the warmer weather comes the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and in the water. Swimming pools are a great way to cool off, have fun, and get some exercise, all at the same time.
If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat and have some fun in the sun, here are 12 swimming pool games that the whole family can enjoy.
1. Marco Polo
This classic game is a great way to get everyone in the pool moving around. To play, one person is “it” and tries to catch the other players by calling out “Marco Polo.” The other players must respond with “Polo” and try to keep track of where the person who is “it” is. When someone is caught, they become the new person who is “it.”
2. Water Balloon Toss
This game is a great way to cool off and have some fun at the same time. You will need two teams of two people each and a bunch of water balloons to play. The object of the game is to toss the water balloon back and forth between your team members without dropping it. If you drop the balloon, your team is out. The last team standing wins the game.
3. Pool Noodle Jousting
This game is a lot of fun and can be played with as many people as you like. To play, you will need two pool noodles for each player. The players will line up on opposite sides of the pool and try to joust each other with their pool noodles. The object of the game is to knock your opponent off of their noodle and into the water.
4. Ring Toss
This is a classic game that can be played in or out of the pool. To play, you will need a set of rings (or floaties) and something to toss them over (a chair, a slide, etc.). The object of the game is to toss the rings over the object and onto the other side. The first person to land all of their rings wins the game.
5. Water Balloon relays
This game is similar to the water balloon toss but with a twist. You will need two teams of four people each and a bunch of water balloons. The object of the game is to relay the water balloon down the line of team members without dropping it. If you drop the balloon, your team is out. The first team to finish wins the game.
6. Sharks and Minnows
This is a classic game that is perfect for large groups. To play, half of the players will be sharks, and the other half will be minnows. The sharks will line up on one side of the pool, and the minnows will line up on the other side. When the game starts, the minnows will try to swim from one side of the pool to the other without being caught by a shark. If a minnow is caught, they become a shark. The last minnow standing wins the game.
7. H-O-R-S-E
This game is a lot of fun and can be played with as many people as you like. To play, each player will take turns shooting hoops (or sinking shots) from different parts of the pool. If the shot is made, the next person has to make the same shot. If they miss, they get a letter. The first person to spell out “HORSE” loses the game.
8. Pool Pong
This is a great game for large groups. To play, you will need two teams of two people each and a Ping-Pong ball. The object of the game is to bounce the Ping-Pong ball into the other team’s cup. If you make the shot, the other team has to drink their cup and then try to bounce the ball into your cup. The first team to make all of their shots wins the game.
9. Treasure Hunt
This is a great game for kids but can be played by adults as well. To play, you will need to hide a bunch of small objects around the pool area. The object of the game is to find all of the hidden objects. The first person to find all of the objects wins the game.
10. Balloon Pop
This is a great game for kids but can be played by adults as well. To play, you will need a bunch of water balloons and a Sharpie. Write a different number on each balloon and then blow them up and tie them off. The object of the game is to pop as many balloons as possible in 60 seconds. The person with the most popped balloons at the end of the minute wins the game.
11. Duck, Duck, Goose
This is a classic game that can be played with as many people as you like. To play, one person will be “it” and will walk around the pool area tapping each person on the head and saying “duck” until they tap someone and say “goose.” The person who is tapped on the head by “it” will then chase “it” around the pool until they are caught. The first person to be caught becomes “it” for the next round.
12. Tag
This is a classic game that can be played with as many people as you like. To play, one person will be “it” and will try to tag the other players. The players who are not “it” will try to avoid being tagged. The last person who is not tagged becomes “it” for the next round.
These are just a few of the many games that can be played in and around the pool. Be sure to use your imagination and come up with your own games as well. Swimming pool games are a great way to stay cool and have fun at the same time. So get out there and start playing!