• Hula hoops {one per player}
• Inflatable crocodiles

How to Play:

Inflate the crocodiles and let them float anywhere in the pool. Give each player a hula hoop. The point of this game is to capture the cute croc by “ringing” its head or tail. Sounds fun, right? Once they’ve had a chance to snare a croc, they will climb onto its back and race to one end of the pool. Whoever’s first wins! 

• Pool floaties {one per player, choose any type you want as long as they’re big enough to sit on}

How to Play:

You all know how much we love floaties, so this game is just what we needed! Everyone playing will get on their floaties and line up at one end of the pool. One person will have to sit out to be a referee. Once the referee yells, “On your marks, get set, go!” players race to the other end of the pool. First player there wins! Obviously this game works best in longer pools, so if you have a shorter pool, you could have players do laps around the pool. Either way, racing is great fun!

• An empty, clear 2-liter soda bottle {with a cap}, with the label removed. Bottles with a white or clear cap work best for this game.

How to Play:

You’re going to want to fill the 2-liter bottle with pool water and then use the cap to close it tightly. From there, you’ll divide all your players into two even teams. Have each team move to opposite ends of the pool, facing the outside of the pool. Have someone from the deck throw the bottle into the water. When players hear the splash, the teams can spin around and try to be the first to find the bottle. The clear bottle will blend in and basically be almost invisible at the bottom of the pool. First team to find it wins!

• A bunch of small items that will sink {coins, diving rings, etc.} You’ll need two of each item.

How to Play:

This is an awesome game for kids who are just learning to swim on their own and for adults who want to dive into the deep end. First, you’ll want to divide players into two teams. Next, throw your items into the pool. When you say, “go!” all of your players will dive underwater to collect one of the items from the bottom of the pool. Each team has to collect all of the items in order to win!

What You’ll Need:

• Players and a pool, simple as that!

How to Play: 

This one’s a classic! Almost as classic as Marco Polo. First, you’ll want to pick one player to be the “shark.” The rest of the players will be the “minnows.” From there, the “shark” will go to the middle of the pool and the “minnows” will gather on the wall of one end of the pool. The point of the game is for the “minnows” to get to the other side of the pool without getting caught by the “shark.” As soon as the “shark” is ready, “minnows” will swim their little hearts out to get to the other side. If you are playing with adults, you can make the game more interesting by making the rule that the “shark” can only get the “minnows” when they are above water. That way, the “shark” will have to catch “minnows” that are diving underwater and pull them to the surface.

• A watermelon {one per team or player}

How to Play:

The object of the game is to push a whole watermelon from one end of the pool to the other. The first team or person to reach the other side wins! It’s as simple as that. The best part is you can cut it open and have a refreshing snack once you’re done. 

• 4+ players

How to Play:

The object of this game is to reach the other side of the pool before the person who’s “it” gets you. One player is going to be “it” while the other three are either “dolphin,” “froggy,” or “submarine.” Each player will yell out what they are before the game begins. But here’s the trick:

• Dolphin has to swim on top of the water
• Froggy has to swim in the middle of the water
• Submarine has to swim at the very bottom of the pool

Whoever is “it” will have to close their eyes and try to tag the others as they swim across the pool. When the dolphins, froggies, and submarines reach the other side, they’ll yell “Survived!” Players who get caught become “it” in the next game.

• Ping pong balls {25-30 balls}
• A permanent marker
• Two plastic buckets

How to Play:

This game is a race to collect the most ping pong balls in your {your teams} bucket. You’ll want to start by numbering each ball from 1 to 25 {or 30) with the permanent marker. Then you’ll divide the players into two teams. Give each team a plastic bucket and have them move to opposite sides of the pool. Throw the numbered ping pong balls in the pool and say “go!” Team members will then race to collect the ping pong balls and place them in their own bucket. Here’s the catch: Teams can only retrieve one ball at a time. When all of the balls have been collected, teams will add up the numbers on their balls. The team with the highest score wins! If you want to challenge your teams, award extra points when they collect sets of consecutive numbers. Who knew you could mix math with water fun?!

This is a personal favorite and we wonder if anyone else has ever played it before! The object of the game is to swim to the other side of the pool without getting caught, similar to “pool survivor.” The trick in this game is the “it” person is standing on the deck {or on the diving board if you’ve got one} with their back to the pool/other swimmers. Whoever is “it” gets to pick a category, like colors, and those in the pool have to think of a color. If the person who is “it” calls out their color, they have to try to sneakily swim to the other side of the pool. If the person who is “it” turns around and nobody has left the wall, they have to take one step forward, further away from the water. So don’t look too early! However, if the “it” person turns around and sees someone swimming underwater to the other side, they’ll want to run, jump, and try to tag them before they make it! If you’re caught on your way to the other side, you’ll be “it” for the next round. The fun part about this game is that you can do whatever category you want! Disney princesses, states, or favorite sodas. Have fun with it!

• Music
• Pool lights
• Props

How to Play:

If you love to swim as well as have a dance party to your favorite jams, this is a game for you. It’s like a reality TV show in the pool! How does it work? Everyone will act as contestants or teams to choreograph synchronized water dances to their favorite songs. The more creative, the better! Use props and swimmers to make the show even more elaborate. We even recommend playing at night and using glow sticks in the pool! Invite family and friends to watch the performances and vote for a winner. You could even make up different awards if you wanted! Make it yours and have fun with it!