Having fun in the pool has no age limit. Here is a quick list of games to ensure your family has a great time in the pool.
- Invisi-Bottle
Like many on this list, the game is simple. You need an empty clear 2 liter plastic bottle, preferably one with a white cap, or the same color as your pool tile/liner. First, fill the bottle with pool water. Second, line the players up on the pool deck, backs to the water. Three, throw the bottle into the pool – do not look when you throw it in. When you hear the splash you can turn around and try to find it. Don’t be fooled, it’s harder than it sounds as the bottle blends into the bottom. Be careful with this one, the more people you have playing, the crazier it gets!
- Water Polo (Simplified)
For this one, you need to imagine a sort of aquatic version of handball. It’s essentially water polo, but you have to stay at your end of the pool. The game is ideally meant for four people, two at each end. Players take turns throwing a ball (pool volleyball works well) at the pool ledge on the other side – while the other team defends it. You can’t cross the center of the pool. All throws must be taken behind this line (we don’t want to make it too easy to score). Have extra balls on hand as you may find yourself chasing them after a bad throw.
- Sharks and Minnows
This one is an old classic. For this, you first need to identify who will be the shark. There is only one shark to start, everybody else is a minnow. The shark swims/stands in the middle of the pool. The objective is to reach the other side of the pool without being tagged. The only catch, besides being chased by a shark, is that the shark dictates when you have to cross to the other side. Good luck.
- Greased Watermelon
Don’t let the name discourage you, it’s actually a lot of fun. Here’s how you play. The goal of the game is to move the watermelon to the other team’s pool wall. Cover the watermelon with petroleum jelly, Vaseline or shortening. Next, divide the players into two teams. Each team gets an end of the pool – you start at your own end. Finally, choose a referee (probably your Mom) to drop the greased watermelon in the center of the pool. After the splash is heard, both teams now try to possess the watermelon and move it to the other end, without lifting it out of the water.
- Shark in the Pool
A swimming pool game list wouldn’t really be worth it if there wasn’t at least two shark based games. Here’s the gist: The shark tries to tag the players while they are in the water. You can get out of the pool, but only for 5 seconds. If/when the shark tags someone, they now become the shark.
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