First, chose a leader or student to be the “caller”. After you have chosen the caller, they will think of a category (colors, animals, ice cream flavors, etc). People will line up at the diving board. One person will jump off the diving board and the caller will say a category as soon as they leave the diving board. The person who jumps off…
Pool-ategories!
First, chose a leader or student to be the “caller”. After you have chosen the caller, they will think…
Water Colors
One person stands outside of the pool, with their back towards the water. Everyone else stands along that same…
Jump the Noodle
All you need is one of those pool noodles and a leader who can tread water. Simply position a…
Phat Dippin'
It's a pool party with your clothes on!! We recommend that attendees wear sandals (unless you have a pair…
Monster's Ball Bonanza
Summer time demands at least one thing: access to a swimming pool you can take your kids to! This…
Battleships and Submarines
Divide the group into two teams. Each team has a “base” against the wall of the pool, opposite each…
Swimming Pool Bowling
This is a fun swimming pool game that is great for groups of 6 to 20 students. All you…
Duck Thrust
If you have a swimming pool and lots of teens together, throw in a couple of rubber ducks, and…
Chicken
This is a swimming pool classic. In Chicken, you need at least 4 players, but it can be…
Bottle
If done correctly, this is like a “covert operations” version of Steal The Bacon. You’ll need a CLEAR plastic…
Gator
This swimming pool game is a good one if you happen to have a large group. Here is how…
Water Frisbee
This game is played in water with as many people as you want. You will need a Frisbee and…
Skip Ball
4 players compete against 4 other players. The game is played in a rectangular in-ground pool. Each…
Pirates and Sharks
This game works best with a larger group (10+ kids), and requires the following:- pool mats- various pool toys…
Boogie Board Relay
You will need two boogie boards and two ski ropes…oh yeah, and a pool. Two relay teams race…
Water Ball
You can play this game like Dodge Ball or have wars using boxes as forts. Get a bunch…
Get Dressed
With a small group this game can involve everyone, or it can be just an “up-front” game if you've…
Waterbottle Underwater
A small group of kids stand in the shallow end of the pool, and is each given 1 bottle…
Pool Battleship
Players separate into two teams. Then, the competitors must build a large “ship” out of several floats, noodles, and/or…
Pool Tag Survivor
One person is “it.” They call out either “dolphin,” “froggy,” or “submarine.” Dolphin has to swim on top of…
River Crossing (Pool)
ONLY DO THIS if you have a pool wide enough that someone falling in CAN’T hit the edge! Play…
Bumper Boats
Have about 5-6 sturdy tubes (or small, donut shaped flotation devices) – “Bumper Boats” – for as many players…
Pool Toothpick
Should only be played in a pool with a deep end. Everyone is lined up around the outside of…
Underwater Handstand Tag
Play as a group in waist-deep water. One player is “it.” They chase after the other players, attempting to…
Spongebob Squarefort
Great game for kids. Set two rectangular inflatable pools 6-10 feet apart from each other with the long sides…
Pool Bronco Busting
Based on having 4 teams of 4. Use a steady floating tube and tie 3 ropes to it that…
Atomic Whirlpool
Have everybody get in the pool and line up single file along the edge with very little space…
Poolside Steal the Bacon
Just like Steal the Bacon with its many variations, but in the pool.Two teams can either be in the…
Pool Change Drop
Dump between $20 & $100 in change (depending on the number of students & your budget!) in a pool….
Air Mattress Pile-up
Inflate an air mattress and see how many kids can stand up straight on it in the water without…
Belly Flop Contest
When you've got your group at the pool, and everyone's kind of doing their own thing, nothing brings everyone…
Water Ballet
Give each team of 4-8 people a certain amount of time to perform a water ballet that involves EVERY…
Croc Wrestling
Get a big inflatable croc and choose 3 volunteers who will each have 60 seconds, by themselves to do…
Pool Tractor Tire Pile-Up
Get a tractor tire tube (the bigger the better) and see how many people you can get on the…
Watermelon Polo
Water Polo with a small watermelon (or small greased watermelon).Added by Jon Perrin, Plano, TXSee See Water Polo, also…
Sponge Pass
Outdoor or Indoor (need more towels if indoor). Simple but fun, especially on a hot day! You divide…
Wet Sweatshirt Relay
Supply two teams with a large or extra large sweatshirt. Half of each team will go to the opposite…
Diving Board PIG
Line up kids behind the diving board. Just like the basketball game “PIG” (or HORSE) the first person says…
Jump or Dive
A classic pool game fun for crazy participants but slightly more entertaining for the onlookers. Must have a pool…
Trash Bag Rafts
Give each group a certain number of the largest trash can bags you can find and some tape/rope etc….
Water Hoop
Get two hoops, one on each side of the pool and play a game of basketball. Make a 5…
King of the Tube
Pool game where teams compete for best time. Each team selects a champion who can stay on a…
Water Polo
Same as Water Hoop but with goals instead of hoops. See Watermelon Polo, also on Swimming Pool page.
Poor Man's Beachball Volleyball
Outdoor, Big Room, or Pool. Use staff as the net (all lined up across the court with hands in…



