Pool Party Games

Before the kids jump in, there are several things to take in account when preparing pool party games. Safety is the most important thing to consider. Always maintain a high adult-to-child ratio, while not forgetting that the younger the kids are, the more adult supervisors you need. Try to minimize diving and jumping into the pool; simply keep the games in the water. And have everyone drinking like camels and using sun block.

Wet Feet

Guests sit on chairs around a water-filled wading pool. On the count of 1-2-3-GO!, dump a bunch of floating toys (like rubber ducks and frogs) into the pool. Everyone tries to remove the toys with their feet to see how many they can collect in a certain time frame.

Watermelon Polo

This is played in the deep end of a swimming pool. Divide the group into two teams. Throw a watermelon into the pool (it will float). Throw, pass, give, hand, dive, or toss the watermelon to other team members to try to get it past the “goal” of the other team. The team wins who is successful at getting the watermelon to sit on the ledge at the other side of the pool. This is hysterical and a very challenging game, recommended for adults.

Pinata

Yes, you can even incorporate the classic Pinata into your pool party games. Make your own pinata or purchase one at a local party or discount store and fill it full of little water gifts such as sunglasses, squirt guns, goggles, etc. Hang the pinata over the pool and have the kids hit it as they jump in.

Long Jump

Have the kids line up behind the diving board. Be the judge yourself or assign someone to be judge. (The judge should be in the water so they can clear look of what is happening). The judge puts a small float (should be something soft) a foot away from the diving board and each player has to jump over it. After everyone has had a turn, the judge moves the float another foot away. You’re out if you touch the float while trying to jump over it. The furthest jumper is the winner.

Dog Race

This race is for youngsters who can swim the doggie paddle. Line all the kids on the up on the edge of the pool and whistle when all are ready. The kids jump in and dog paddle to get to the other side, get out and bark 3 times. The first to finish wins.

Jumping Jellyfish

Have all the kids stand at the deep end of the pool and choose one to be “IT” IT then tries to make the players laugh, and each time they laugh IT gets to push them into the pool. The last person who doesn’t laugh can either choose to be IT or choose another to be IT.

Treasure Dive

Divide kids into two teams and have each team stand on a different side of the pool. Then, go to the middle of the pool and toss a bunch of treasures (toys that float or sink will work). See which team can bring back the most treasures.

Cannonball Splash

In this game, kids compete to see who can make the biggest splash. Divide the kids into two groups- one for the cannonballs and one to be the judges. The cannonball group lines up behind the diving board and have to make the biggest splash to get the highest vote. The judges give each kid a vote from 1 to 10. Don’t forget to have your camera ready. This is a good time to take a picture right when they are about to splash. You can send each kid their picture when sending out thank-you cards.