When the sun comes out and the temperature heats up, it’s time to hop into the pool for a refreshing cool down.
Whether you’re swimming laps or soaking in the rays, swimming pools are the perfect spot to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. But as much as we all love a good game of Marco Polo, the classics can only entertain for so long.
That’s why we’ve made a list of 40 of the best swimming pool games for kids, but we didn’t forget to include a few swimming pool games for adults too!
Want to enjoy more time in the pool this year?
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Wasps Away From The Pool]
Here are 40 swimming pool games you have to play this swim season!
Swimming Pool Games List
Atomic Whirlpool
Image via WikiHow
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (The more the merrier)
How To Play:
A simple yet highly entertaining game to play in the pool — the object of Atomic Whirlpool is to create a whirlpool out of sheer human force.
Players walk/run in a clockwise direction along the inner edges of the pool (or designated “whirlpool circle”).
After a few minutes, a whirlpool begins to form. Players can experiment with physics as they toss a ball or even themselves into the whirlpool.
Balloon Toss: Pool Edition
Image via Dianliwenmi
What You’ll Need:
- 8+ players (even numbers)
- Large bucket of water balloons
- 4 beach towels (1 towel per group of 2 players)
How To Play:
Everyone loves a good old-fashioned balloon toss. Add a swimming pool and some beach towels and you have a whole new twist to the classic game.
Each team consists of 4 players divided into two pairs. Both pairs receive a beach towel to use as a launcher.
The object of the game is to send the water balloon back and forth between your teammates using only the towel to catch and throw the balloon.
Since exploding water balloons are near inevitable, aim to play for a few rounds or set score.
Balloon Boat Race
Image via Google
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- 1 Balloon Boat per player/team
(Here’s a simple and inexpensive DIY Balloon Boat tutorial)
How To Play:
The Balloon Boat Race pool game can be played in a one-on-one or team style.
Players line their balloon boats at the edge of the pool. On “Go”, players launch their balloon boats by releasing the balloon.
For team play, players launch their boats once the previous team member’s boat stops or makes it to the other side of the pool.
The team whose boats go the farthest or make it to the opposite edge of the pool first, wins.
Belly Flop Contest
Image via RockPhotographers
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
WARNING: Exercise caution when playing this game, as excessive or extreme belly flopping can be quite painful. Not recommended for children
A belly flop contest is a fairly straight forward swimming pool game that calls for decent pain tolerance and a whole lot of bravery.Players take turns jumping belly-first into the pool. The object of the game is to create the loudest “clap” during the flop.
The player who creates the loudest flop wins.
Bobbing Heads
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players
- Foam ball or beach ball
How To Play:
Imagine whack-a-mole but in a pool, where the hammer is a player in control of throwing balls at the moles.The moles are of course the other players who must avoid being hit by the ball. When a player is hit they must sit out for the round.
Last player standing becomes the new “hammer”.
Breath-holding Contest
Image via ReadingInterrupted
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- Stopwatch(optional)
How To Play:
WARNING: Be sure to exercise responsibility and caution when playing this game. Holding your breath too long can lead to lightheadedness and hyperventilation.
The rules for this classic pool game are as straightforward as they come.
On a count of three, players take a deep breath and submerge themselves under water. The player who stays underwater the longest wins.
For a fun twist, players can compete individually for best the time. Have a judge use a stopwatch to keep track of each player’s record.
Bumper Balls
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- Beach balls
- Rope (enough to cover the width of the pool)
How To Play:
First designate a small area in the pool as “the arena”. Section off the arena using the rope.Players then enter the arena, each holding a beach ball.
The object of the game is to bump other players into the rope using only the beach ball. If a player touches the rope they must sit out until the end of the round.
The last player standing wins the round. Play for fun or go for a full tournament.
Water safety can be simple and easy. Learn more below
Cannonball Championship
Image via Avidda
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
A competitive twist on one of the most entertaining pool entrance styles in existence. Cannonballs are all about making the biggest splash, so naturally, that’s what this pool game is all about.Players take turns launching themselves into the pool as they tuck their knees and curl their bodies into a shape of a cannonball.
The player who makes the biggest splash is crowned the Cannonball Champion!
Cardboard Boat Race
Image via LaughlinAirforce
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- Several cardboard boxes
- A few rolls of ducktape
- Paddles (optional)
How To Play:
Some swimming pool games require noodles and flippers, while others call for cardboard boxes and duck tape.In Cardboard Boat Race, players first construct a boat out of cardboard boxes and duck tape (yes, you read that correctly).
Once boats have been constructed, players line up in their boats at one end of the pool. On “GO”, players paddle across the pool as quickly as possible.
For smaller pools, multiple laps are best.
The player (or team) who reaches the finish line first or sinks last wins.
*Optional: Set a strict time limit for the boat creation process to make the game even more entertaining.
Chicken Fight
Image via Jackthreads
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players (even numbers are best)
How To Play:
Prepare for war in this classic grappling pool game!Players break up into teams of two and work together to form the “chicken” — one player stands tall in the water while the other sits on their shoulders.
The real fun begins when opposing teams square off. The object of the game is to out grapple the opposing “chicken”, knocking them off of their team member’s shoulders.
Last team standing wins.
Colors
Image via Dreamstime
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players
How To Play:
All players line up against the same wall. One player chooses to be “it” and stands on the edge of the pool with their back to the other players. Each player in the pool chooses a color (keeping it to themselves) – each color will be called out randomly by “it”. When “it” calls out a color, each player who chose the color called must swim across the pool as quietly as possible. If “it” hears another a player crossing, then he or she can turn around and dive after the player to tag them. However, if “it” turns around and players still have a hand on the edge of the pool when their color is called, then “it” must take one step away from the edge and start over. Last player standing becomes the new “it”.Croc Wrestling
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 2 inflatable crocodiles
How To Play:
This game borrows most of its rules from the classic Chicken Fight with one special twist.
Instead of sitting on a team member’s shoulders, players sit on top of an inflatable crocodile. The goal of the game is to knock the opposing player off of their crocodile.
Set time limits for shorter and more intense rounds.
Crocodile Hunter
Image via LaughAndPlayOutdoors
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 2 inflatable crocodiles
- Hula Hoops
How To Play:
This multi-part game involves several skills that players will have to utilize to win.
To begin, line up the crocodiles along one edge of the pool. Players stand on the opposing edge of the pool facing their crocodile.
On “GO”, players begin tossing their hula hoops at the crocodile. The first objective is to loop the hoop around the crocodile’s head or tail.
Upon successfully “lassoing” the crocodile, the player jumps into the pool and swims towards the crocodile. From there, the player mounts the crocodile and races back to the starting point.
For larger groups try a relay-style race, and have players reset the crocodile and hula hoops when the first player makes it back. Repeat this process until the last player on the team has made their way back.
First team to finish wins.
Deep-Sea Treasure Hunt
Image via Blogspot
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 30+ various coins (quarters, nickels, dimes, pennies)
How To Play:
As the name implies, players must dive into the pool in search of “sunken treasure”. The treasure, of course, is the assortment of coins scattered across the pool floor.Toss a handful of coins into the pool – on “go”, players dive into the pool and collect as many coins as they can during a set time limit (one minute should be ideal).
The player who collects the highest amount of money wins – but in reality, everyone wins in this game.
Want to lower your pool heating costs?
Dolphins and Sharks
What You’ll Need:
- 6+ players
How To Play:
Players line up in the middle of the pool and divide into even teams, with the exception of one player who will be the leader.One team is dolphins and the other sharks – each team has a safe area on opposing sides of the pool.
When the game begins, the leader randomly calls out a team (dolphins or sharks).
The team called must swim to the safe area as quickly as possible — meanwhile, the opposing team tries to tag as many swimmers from the other team as possible.
Tagged players must join the opposing team. The game ends when all players are on one team.
Dolphins Race or Relay
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- 2 beach balls
How To Play:
This game can be played in a one-on-one or relay race style depending on the number of players. EEach team receives a beach ball — players transport the ball across the pool using only their noses. Players using their hands must return to the starting line.
The first team to finish the race wins.
Duck Push
What You’ll Need:
- 3+ players
- 3+ rubber ducks
How To Play:
Duck Push incorporates elements of Dolphins Race but with a fun twist.Players line up on one end of the pool but are given a rubber duck instead of a beach ball.
The goal is to get the rubber duck across the pool, except players can only use their nose or breaths of air to push the duck forward. Players cannot touch or hold onto the duck in any other way.
Players can divert opponent’s ducks off course by splashing water (at the player or duck), but cannot touch them.
The first player to successfully get their duck across the pool wins.
F-I-S-H
Image via Shastapools
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
Following the style of the classic basketball game H-O-R-S-E, the object of F-I-S-H is for players to successfully copy the moves/actions of their opponent in the pool.For instance, if a player does a handstand for 5 seconds so does the opponent. If the opponent doesn’t copy the move successfully, they receive a letter.
The first player to spell out F-I-S-H loses.
(Avoid using the same moves twice)
Floatie Race
Image via PalleyRoundballClassic
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 1 inflatable floatie per player/team (crocodiles, sharks, tubes, etc.)
How To Play:
Players line up with their floatie at one of the pool. Any floatie can be used as long as it’s big enough to sit on and keep the rider afloat.On “go”, players race to the opposite end of the pool on their floatie.
A relay-style race can be done with 4 or more players.
*Optional: For a fun twist, add a rule where players must restart if they fall off their floaties
Follow The Swimmer
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
Similar to F-I-S-H, this pool game revolves around following the swimming actions of a lead swimmer.Players line up behind the leader while the leader swims in any style of their choosing.
The object of the game is for players to copy exactly what the leader does for as long as possible. Any player that does not successfully mimic the leader is eliminated.
The last player standing becomes the new leader. It’s best to designate one person as a judge/watcher to keep track of all the swimmers’ actions.
Frozen T-Shirt Contest
Image via TimSandford
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- 1 T-shirt per team/player (same size)
- String
How To Play:
PRE-REQUIREMENT: Soak the t-shirts in water, tie each one into a ball with the string, and freeze them for 2-3 days.At the start of the game, players divide into two even groups. Each group/team is given a frozen t-shirt.
The object of the game is to thaw out the shirt as quickly as possible and put it on, by any means necessary (hose, pool, pavement, brute force, etc.).
Players must work together to thaw out the shirt as quickly as possible.
The team that thaws out the shirt and puts it on first wins.
Want to spend less time on pool maintenance?
Handstand Contest
Image via SavannahNow
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
One of the most well known of the classic swimming pool games. The rules for the Handstand Contest are as simple as they come.Players compete to see who can hold a handstand underwater the longest. The player that comes up for air, falls over, or whose feet touch the surface of the water first, loses.
Go for a tournament or try to break timed records.
It’s recommended to have a judge that watches players and keeps track of wins and losses.
Invisi-Bottle
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- Water bottle (with cap)
How To Play:
This pool game takes the “needle in a haystack” concept to a whole new level.Players line up with their backs facing the pool — meanwhile, a helper fills a water bottle to the very top with water, screws on the cap, and tosses it into the pool.
On a count of three, players turn around and jump into the pool to find the water bottle.
Although simple in theory, this game is extremely challenging — the bottle will camouflage with the pool water to the point where it’s nearly invisible. Hence the title of the classic pool game.
Marco Polo
Image via Travel-Studies
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- Blindfold
How To Play:
The most well-known swimming pool game of the century, Marco Polo.One player chooses to be “it” and is blindfolded (or must close their eyes).
From there, the player counts to a number of their choice while the swimmers scatter across the pool.
The blindfolded players call out the name “Marco”, and swimmers must respond with “Polo”.
The object of the game is for “it” to find and tag all of the players using sound as their only guide.
Last player standing wins and becomes “it” the next round.
Noodle Joust
Image via TuesdayMorning
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers are best)
- Inflatable raft or large floatie
- 2 pool noodles
How To Play:
Two players sit on a single inflatable raft at the center of the pool.Each player is armed with a noodle and uses it to joust with the opponent and knock them off the raft.
The game is played best in a tournament style, where the winner continues on to the next round until the final face off.
Noodle Raft Race
What You’ll Need:- 2+ players
- 20+ noodles
- Duck tape
How To Play:
Players construct rafts using noodles and duck tape, then line up at one end of the pool.
On “go”, players race across the pool. If a player falls off the raft they must restart from the starting line.
Play a single lap or relay style depending on the number of players. First team to finish wins.
Return to Full Game ListNoodle Tennis
Image via DeviantArt
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 1 noodle per player
- Beach ball
How To Play:
Players divide into two even teams and are each given a noodle.Just like in volleyball, teams take turns serving the beach ball. Players use the noodles to hit the beach ball and keep it afloat.
Points are scored whenever the ball touches the water on the opposing team’s side (be sure to establish some type of line dividing the sides).
Play to a set point or time limit.
Numbers Crunch
Image via EntirelyElementary
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
- 20-30 ping pong balls
- Permanent marker
How To Play:
Using the marker, number each ping pong with a point value, then scatter them across the pool.
Divide players into two teams. On “Go”, players jump into the pool and race to collect ping pong balls for their team.
Players can only carry one ball at a time and must place it in their team’s basket to score before grabbing another one.
Once all of the ping pong balls have been collected, tally up the scores. The team with the highest score wins.
*Optional: For a fun twist, try adding bonuses for matching certain numbers.
Want to lower your swimming pool’s electricity bill?
Octopus
Image via Livestrong
What You’ll Need:
- 6+ players
How To Play:
One player chooses to be it and stands in the center of the pool.The rest of the players line up on one side of the pool. The objective is to swim across the pool without being tagged by “it”.
If a player is tagged, they must hold hands with “it” and work together to tag the remaining players as they swim across.
The game ends when all players have been tagged. Choose a new player to be “it” with each new game.
Ping-Pong Scramble
Image via Blogspot
What You’ll Need:
- 8+ players (even numbers)
- 40 ping pong balls
- 4 different colored markers
How To Play:
Mark each set of 10 ping pong balls with a specific color dot, then scatter the balls across the pool surface.Players divide into even teams and line up along the edge of the pool. Each team is assigned both a color and basket.
On “go”, players jump into the water to retrieve the ping pong balls that correspond to their color.
The first team to collect all of their ping-pong balls wins.
*Optional: Subtract a point for collecting the wrong color ball.
Pool Tag Survivor
Image via SwimmingPool
What You’ll Need:
- 6+ players
- Blindfold
How To Play:
One player chooses to be it and calls out the words “dolphin”, “froggy” or “submarine”.
Players race across the pool and must avoid getting tagged.
“Dolphins” swim on the surface of the water, “froggy” underwater, and “submarine” along the pool floor.
When a player makes it to the other side, they must yell “Survived”.
The one catch – the player who is “it” must try to tag players with their eyes closed (blindfold or honor system).
Last player standing gets to be “it” next round.
Popsicle
Image via SwimmingPool
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players
How To Play:
Designate an area in the pool where all players can stand with their heads above the surface.One player chooses to be it and attempts to tag the rest of the players.
If a player is tagged they must stand in place with their hands straight above their heads (much like a popsicle) until they are unfrozen.
Players can unfreeze “popsicles” by swimming between their legs (a player cannot be tagged while they are underwater).
These games can tend to go on for ages, so you’ll want to make sure that your pool is nice and warm for this one.
Switch between the player who is “it” after a few minutes.
Scavenger Hunt: Pool Edition
Image via LemonLimeAdventures
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players (even numbers)
- A variety of 20 items (must be able to sink)
How To Play:
Assign different point values to the 20 items, then scatter them across the pool floor.Players break up into two even teams – on “go”, players jump into the pool and race to collect the items.
Players can only collect one item at a time and must deposit them into their team’s basket. Once all of the items have been collected, add up the point values.
The team with the highest valued collection wins.
Shark In The Pool
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players
- Goggles
- Flippers
How To Play:
One player chooses to be the shark, puts on the flippers and goggles, and gets in the water.
The rest of the players line up along the outside of the pool along the edge. On “go”, players jump into the pool and swim to the other side.
Players can step out of the pool twice per game for a maximum of five seconds but must re-enter the pool in the same spot.
If a player is tagged by the shark they are eliminated. The first player to make it to the other side becomes the new shark.
Splash Dance
Image via Mirror
What You’ll Need:
- 8+ players
How To Play:
Some swimming pool games are all about competition, but this one focuses on style and presentation.
In Splash Dance, players break into teams and choreograph a brief dance skit. Encourage players to use props, costumes, and even pool lights to enhance their presentation.
Teams can compete for different categories such as “most creative” or “funniest”.
Want to know how a pool heat pump works, or how to size yours?
Submarine Race
Image via Pixabay
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players
How To Play:
Essentially the race version of the Breath Holding Contest, in this game, players compete to see who can swim the farthest in one breath.For a fun twist, specify a specific distance to swim and see which player can get there using the least amount of breaths.
Water Hoops (Swimming Pool Basketball)
Image via ArticlesWeb
What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- Basketball
- Pool basketball hoop
OR
Makeshift hoop (bucket, trash can, etc.)
How To Play:
Players break into even teams and play by the rules of half court basketball (minus the dribbling of course). The ultimate goal is, of course, to score the most points.To keep the game interesting, establish a shot clock or limit for how long players can hold onto the ball before they must pass or shoot.
Water Polo
What You’ll Need:
- 10+ players (even numbers)
- Water Polo Ball or Volleyball
- 2 goals (nets, baskets, etc.)
How To Play:
Set up goals on opposite ends of the pool. Players break into two even teams, with one player from each team acting as the goalie.
The ball is tossed into the center of the pool and players race to grab it. The primary objective of the game is to score a goal against the opposing team.
Players can pass, steal and shoot the ball at any time. Establish a time limit to keep the game interesting.
For those craving the full experience, you can find the full rules here.
Watermelon Push Relay
Image via MerryBabies
- What You’ll Need:
- 2+ players (even numbers)
- 1 watermelon per team
How To Play:
If there’s a king of swimming pool party games, then this game is it.
Although simple in concept, getting a watermelon across a pool is far more exciting and difficult than you might think.
Players must push a watermelon from one end of the pool to the other and back without touching the pool floor.
The game can be played in both a one-on-one and relay style – the team that finishes first wins.
Optional: To make the game more challenging, grease up the watermelons with Vaseline.
Wet T-Shirt Relay
Image via Blogspot
What You’ll Need:
- 4+ players
- 1 t-shirt per team
How To Play:
Players break up into even teams and are given a soaking wet T-shirt.
The object of the game is to race across the pool and back while wearing the shirt.
Players then pass off the shirt to their team and the process continues. The first team to finish wins the race.
Which swimming pool game is your favorite? Any classics that didn’t make it on the list? Tell us in the comments below!
SOURCES: Babble | HowStuffWorks | SwimmingPool | SwimSwam
