Jump In With 15 Classic Pool Games

Jump In With 15 Classic Pool Games That Don’t Require Any Gear. With temperatures scorching, time at the pool is probably one of the only reprieves we can enjoy if we want to be outside this summer. We have put together a few games that the kids can play to keep even the hottest hours fun.

What Time is It Mr. Fox

One person is Mr. Fox and stands at one end of the pool while the kids lined on the opposite end ask “What time is it Mr. Fox” the fox then proceeds to reply different times ex.: it’s 5 o’clock and the kids move forward those steps until Mr. Fox declares it’s lunchtime and swims to tag the kids while they swim to get back to where they started. This game is hilarious but can get loud.

Air Ball

The goal of air ball is to keep the beach ball going from person to person without letting it fall. You can make it more challenging by widening the circle.

Splash Dance

Choreograph your own water ballet to go with one of your favorite songs. Perfect for a solo endeavor or with friends (think synchronized swimming).

Wishing Well

Wishing Well sends players on a search for coins at the bottom of the pool. This version, however, involves lining participants up shoulder-to-shoulder with their backs to the pool while someone throws a handful of loose coins into the water. The players then dive into the pool to collect them before they land on the bottom. Let the players keep their coins as a prize or collect them all and toss them again.

Marco Polo

“Marco” catches other players based on their reply to his call, and there’s no adrenaline-like daring to be the fish out of the water! Just like tag, only in water and with your eyes closed. This is a great game for children of all ages.

Dive in Quiz Game

One person is the quizmaster and the other kids line up in the deep end ready to dive. The Quizmaster asks a question similar to “What’s your dogs name?” and the other child has to answer the question while in the air and before they hit the water. It’s hilarious to see the kids so concentrated.

Atomic Whirlpool

The kids line-up inside the pool but along the edge (in the shallow end). Have them walk, then jog, then race as fast as they can—still in single file—around the perimeter of the pool, then yell “switch!” When they turn to run in the opposite direction, the current will keep them from running.

F.I.S.H.

The first player in F.I.S.H. is the leader, and the other players must follow exactly what the leader does. Jump from the side, do a certain dive, perform a choreographed pool number—whatever the task, the players must follow it or be given a letter from F.I.S.H. The first player to spell F.I.S.H loses the game.

Sharks & Minnows

A game of fear and speed. One child is the shark and is in the middle of the pool. The other children (minnows) wait on the ledge and then jump in when the shark says go. They have to swim pas the shark to the other end of the pool without getting tagged. The kids who get tagged are out of the game until the shark gets the only minnow left.

Octopus

The goal is to be the last swimmer unattached to the human chain of “outed” participants. The octopus begins with one player who tags another player, who then must link arms with one another (hence the growing octopus). As the octopus grows and the number of unlinked players diminishes, it gets trickier and trickier to evade the “tentacle” of players in the pool.

Cannonball

Cannonball competitions are similar to dance offs because each participant tries to get the biggest splash.

Submarine Races

Get Ready, Set, Go! Speed is the name of the game here! This is great practice for underwater swimming.

Follow the Leader

This classic game is always fun. The leader can choose to do anything and the followers have to copy . Younger children especially like this game.

Underwater Tea Party

Goggles are are what makes this game fun. Sit criss-cross-applesauce and then partake in a fancy tea fit for a queen. Pouring from imaginary teapots, stirring imaginary cups of tea, offering each other lumps of sugar and passing trays of finger foods and sweets. This usually keeps the kids busy for a while before they get it right.