5 Fun Swimming Pool Games for Kids

Warm weather is almost upon us again, and people are thinking about taking the covers off their swimming pools and getting their pools ready for summer weather. If you are planning a pool party in the not-so-distant future, here are some fun pool games that will keep the kids entertained while the adults sit and relax around the pool.

Water Limbo

Limbo is a favorite party game. Why not play it in the swimming pool? Take the limbo pole or even a jump rope into the swimming pool, starting the game with the pole or rope above the water.

Instead of bending backwards, have players swim under the pole instead. After each turn the pole is lowered until you see who can swim the deepest without touching the pole.

Long Jump

If your kids like track and field and enjoy doing the long jump, then they will have fun playing this swimming pool version of the long jump.

One person needs to be in the pool with a pool noodle. The pool noodle will be the line the players are trying to jump over.

Have each player take turns jumping off the side of the pool. The object is to clear the pool noodle without touching it or moving it. If they clear the pool noodle they get to go on to the next round.

Each round the pool noodle gets moved out further and further until only one player remains.

Whoever jumps the furthest wins the game.

Variation: This game can also be played using a diving board. Have the children jump off the diving board instead of off of the edge of the pool.

Scavenger Hunt

Divide the kids into two teams. You will need some items to put at the bottom of the pool for the kids to dive for (pennies, diving rings, etc.). Make sure there are two of each item.

Make a list of the items to be found and give a list to each team. Give the teams a designated amount of time to dive and get all the items on their lists. Whichever team retrieves all the items first wins.

Sharks and Minnows

Have all the kids line up on one side of the swimming pool. These kids are the "minnows". Have one child be the "shark", and have that child wait in the middle of the pool.

The object of the game is for the minnows to swim from one side of the pool to the other side without getting tagged by the shark. If a lot of kids are playing, you can have more than one shark.

If a child gets tagged, that child becomes a shark and gets to help capture minnows. The last person to be a minnow wins, and then the game can begin again.

Boogie Board Relay

This pool game is fun for older kids and teens who are good swimmers. First divide the kids into two teams.

This game is played along both edges of the pool, so place one team on each side of the pool.

Have the first two players from each team come forward. One player will kneel on the boogie board, and the other player will walk along the edge of the pool, pulling the person on the boogie board by the rope.

When they get to the far edge of the pool, the players switch places and race back, letting the next two players take their turn.

Whichever team sends all their players across the pool and back first wins.

When children of any age are playing games in a swimming pool it is always a good idea to have parents or other adults around in case of an accident or injury. Make sure swimming pool rules are clearly posted and that children follow those rules to ensure that everyone is stays safe and has a great time.

Norman Anderson is a professional blogger that provides information and reviews on swim spas exercise pools. She writes for SwimEx, a leading supplier for inground aquatic exercise pools.