Warm days by the LPCC swimming pool offer endless opportunities for fun and excitement, especially for kids. We’ve compiled a long list of swimming pool games for kids that they’re sure to enjoy.
Safety First – Things to Remember When Playing in the Pool
But first: if you are the designated pool supervisor, you have a responsibility to ensure the kids are safe at all times:
- Always swim with adult supervision. Kids should never swim alone. An adult who knows how to swim should always be actively watching them in and around the pool. Avoid distractions like phones or books while supervising.
- Know their swimming ability. Children should only swim in areas that match their swimming skills. Non-swimmers or those who are still learning should stick to shallow areas or wear approved flotation devices.
- Follow pool rules. Before entering the pool, kids should be familiar with and follow pool rules such as no diving in shallow water, no running on land and no pushing or rough play. Prior to jumping in, the child must be certain there is no one in the water below them.
- Stay away from drains and pool equipment. Kids should be aware of pool hazards like drains, jets and pool equipment, and should never play near or tamper with them.
- Consider using the buddy system. Group the children in pairs. Buddies can look out for each other, call for help if needed and make pool time more fun. Just ensure no one feels excluded when picking groups.
- Wear sun protection. Kids should wear 50+ sunscreen and reapply it regularly, especially if they’ll be spending a lot of time in the pool. When outside the pool, it’s smart to also wear hats and UV-protective clothing for added sun protection.
- Stay hydrated. Remind kids to drink plenty of water so that they can stay hydrated while swimming – it’s easy to forget! Even though they’re surrounded by water, swimming can still be dehydrating.
Classic Pool Games for Kids
Marco Polo
In this game, one player (Marco) closes their eyes and tries to tag other players (the Polos) by calling out “Marco!” The Polos respond with “Polo!” to help Marco locate them. This game encourages listening skills and spatial awareness.
Cannonball Contest
Kids take turns performing their best cannonball jumps into the pool. Judges can score based on height of the splash, style and creativity.
Chicken Fight
This game requires two teams of two players each. One player from each team sits on the shoulders of their teammate, and they try to knock down the opposing team by pushing or pulling them into the water. Ensure the water is deep enough and that there are no hard surfaces (e.g. pool edges) nearby.
Make a Whirlpool
To create a whirlpool, kids form a circle by holding hands and walking or running in the same direction together. The longer they keep moving in sync, the stronger the whirlpool becomes! After a few minutes they can let go, float and feel the strong current they created.
Treasure Hunt
Small objects like dive sticks or coins are thrown into the pool, and kids dive underwater to collect them. The player who collects the most treasures wins.
Creative and Imaginative Pool Games
Creative and imaginative pool games encourage children to use their imagination while enjoying the water, and are especially loved by younger kids. Here are a few ideas:
Underwater Scavenger Hunt
Instead of simply retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool, create a story around the items to make it more imaginative. For example, pretend the items are treasures from a sunken pirate ship, and the players are brave divers searching for them.
Mermaid and Sea Creature Tag
Designate one player as the mermaid or merman and another player as a sea creature (e.g. octopus, dolphin). The mermaid must swim around with their legs together (like a mermaid) and try to tag the sea creature. The sea creature can use its unique swimming abilities (e.g. swimming backwards like an octopus) to evade capture.
Poolside Storytime
Kids can gather on pool floats or in shallow water. Choose a theme (e.g. underwater adventure, space exploration) and take turns making up stories related to that theme while floating in the water. The most creative, interesting or bizarre story wins!
Synchronised Swimming Competition
Encourage kids to choreograph their own dance routines using synchronised swimming movements and music. This activity promotes creativity, teamwork and coordination.
Competitive Pool Games
For many kids, the competitive games are the most fun:
Swimming Races
This is the most straightforward competitive pool game, where kids race against each other to reach the finish line. Races can be organised by stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and distance (along the long or short side of the pool, or by metres).
Noodle Jousting
Kids balance on pool noodles and try to knock each other off using another noodle or inflatable toy. The last one standing wins.
Diving for Rings
Toss rings or dive sticks into the pool, and kids race to retrieve them from the bottom. The one who collects the most rings wins.
Noodle Relay Races
Teams use pool noodles as batons and race across the pool, passing the noodle to their teammates at the other end. They then race back to the other side. Whoever touches the pool edge first wins!
Underwater Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course on the pool floor using hoops, floats and other toys. Kids compete to swim through the course as quickly as possible.
Water Balloon Toss
Kids pair up and toss water balloons back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. The last pair with an intact balloon wins.
Sharks and Minnows
This game is similar to the game ‘Octopus’ and ‘Bull Rush’, but in water. One player is designated as the “shark” and starts in the middle of the pool, while the other players are the “minnows” and start at one end. When the shark says “Fishy fishy, come out and play!”, the minnows must swim to the other side of the pool without getting tagged by the shark. Any minnows tagged become seaweed – they must stand still and only use their arms to tag for the rest of the game. If a seaweed is not able to tread water and can’t stand where they got tagged, they can swim to the nearest pool edge and be a seaweed there.
Educational Activities
For younger kids, educational activities are a fantastic way to teach them something valuable in a fun way.
Sink or Float Experiment
Provide various objects of different materials and sizes and have kids predict whether each item will sink or float. Then, let them test their hypotheses by placing the objects in the water and observing the results. This activity teaches concepts of buoyancy and density.
Water Measurement
Use measuring cups, containers and water toys to introduce kids to basic measurement concepts. Encourage them to experiment with filling and pouring water to compare volumes and capacities. This activity helps develop math skills such as counting, addition and estimation.
Letter and Number Fishing
Write letters or numbers on foam or plastic fish cutouts and scatter them in the pool. Provide a fishing net or small fishing rod with a magnet attached to the end. Kids can take turns “fishing” for letters or numbers and then identify or count them aloud. This activity reinforces letter and number recognition while engaging in a fun water game.
Water Safety Lessons
Use pool time as an opportunity to teach kids about water safety rules and techniques. Discuss topics such as the importance of wearing life jackets, how to enter and exit the pool safely and what to do in case of an emergency. Incorporate fun activities like practicing floating or treading water.
Underwater Alphabet Hunt
Scatter plastic letters or laminated alphabet cards around the pool floor. Challenge kids to dive underwater and collect the letters in alphabetical order.
Ocean Animal Facts
Introduce kids to different ocean animals by providing pictures or toys representing marine life. Discuss interesting facts about each animal, such as their habitat, diet and unique characteristics. Encourage kids to act out the movements of each animal in the water while learning about them.
Pool Party Ideas
Limbo
Set up a limbo stick or pool noodle held horizontally above the shallow water. Kids take turns attempting to pass under the stick without falling backwards and off balance. Lower the stick after each round to increase the challenge.
Watermelon Relay Race
Divide kids into teams and provide each team with a watermelon. Half the team goes on one end of the pool and the rest on the other. One member from each team must push the watermelon from one end of the pool to the other using only their nose or chin. This repeats back and forth until everyone on the team has had a go. The first team to successfully transport their watermelon across the pool wins.
Giant Inflatable Ring Toss
Inflate large inflatable rings and set them afloat in the pool. Kids take turns tossing smaller pool toys from a specific spot, trying to land them in the floating targets.
Floatie Races
Kids sit on pool floats or inflatable toys and race across the pool to the opposite side. The first one to reach the other side wins. To make it more challenging, add obstacles or say they have to face backwards.
Relax Under the Palm Trees Surrounding the Pool
If you are looking for a Sydney group accommodation venue with a swimming pool, you’ve come to the right place. Our tranquil pool is well-maintained, with tall palms and grassy areas nearby for the ultimate relaxation experience.
To book a stay at our conference centre in Sydney, simply reach out here. We look forward to hearing from you!