Heated pools offer a perfect venue for family fun, regardless of the weather outside. Whether you’re looking to bond with your kids, entertain guests, or simply have a blast, here are ten family-friendly games that will turn your heated pool into a hub of joy and laughter.
1. Marco Polo
A timeless classic, Marco Polo is easy to play and requires no extra equipment. One person closes their eyes and calls out ‘Marco’ while the others respond with ‘Polo.’ The goal is for the ‘Marco’ to tag a ‘Polo’ using only sound to guide them. If the ‘Marco’ realizes someone has left the pool, they can shout ‘Fish out of Water!’ to force them back in or tag them.
For added excitement, introduce challenges such as limited ‘Polo’ responses or specific areas where players can roam. This variation keeps everyone on their toes and makes the game more thrilling. You can also create mini-prizes for the winners, encouraging friendly competition among participants.
2. Sharks and Minnows
One player starts as the shark, and the rest are minnows. The shark tries to tag the minnows as they swim from one side of the pool to the other. Once tagged, a minnow becomes a shark until only one minnow remains. This last remaining minnow becomes the next round’s shark, inheriting the new set of challenges.
Spice it up by adding multiple sharks or restricting the movement areas for minnows. By incorporating different levels of difficulty, you can cater to a range of swimming abilities and make the game enjoyable for everyone. Additional elements like floating obstacles can also be introduced to increase the game’s complexity and fun factor.
3. Pool Volleyball
Set up a net across the pool and divide players into teams. Using a beach ball, teams volley the ball back and forth over the net, trying to score points by landing the ball on the opponent’s side of the pool. Pool volleyball not only encourages physical activity but also teamwork and communication among players.
For a more challenging game, try playing with different types of balls or adjusting the net height. You can also implement specific rules, such as allowing only one-handed volleys or requiring a certain number of passes before hitting the ball over the net. These variations keep the game fresh and exciting, ensuring no two matches are the same.
Looking for other
exciting activities to complement your pool time? Check out our accommodations for even more fun options to keep your family entertained throughout your stay.
4. Treasure Hunt
Drop various pool-safe objects to the bottom of the pool and have the players dive to retrieve them. The player who collects the most items wins. Adjust the difficulty by varying the depth and visibility, such as using a clear water bottle that blends in with the pool water, making it harder to find.
You can also make the treasure hunt educational by labeling items with numbers or letters and creating a point system. This adds an element of learning while having fun. Another twist is to hide themed objects, such as pirate treasure or underwater creatures, making the game a fun storytelling experience as well.
Need some inspiration for creative pool games? Check out these
best family swimming pool games for a variety of fun ideas.
5. Duck Push
Line up rubber ducks at one end of the pool. Players must push their duck across the pool using only their noses. The first one to get their duck to the opposite side wins. Duck Push is a fun game that combines competitiveness with laughter and is suitable for all ages.
To make it more interesting, turn the Duck Push into a relay race by dividing into teams. Each member of the team can take turns pushing the duck across the pool. Not only does this foster teamwork and strategy, but it also makes the game more inclusive, allowing more participants to join in on the fun.
6. Octopus
One player starts in the middle as the octopus. When they call out ‘Octopus,’ the other players try to swim past them to the other side. Those tagged by the octopus become additional arms, helping to catch the remaining players. The game continues until all players have been tagged.
Octopus is an excellent game for large groups and helps build speed and agility skills. You can introduce variations such as multiple octopuses or different call signals to make the game more unpredictable and enjoyable.
7. Floatie Race
Players sit on pool floaties and race from one end of the pool to the other. This game is great for all ages and adds a fun and competitive edge to pool time. Floatie Race encourages balance and coordination while providing endless entertainment.
For an added twist, create obstacle courses or include tasks that players must complete during the race. For example, they might have to retrieve an item from the water or navigate around pool noodles arranged as barriers. These additions make the race more challenging and exciting.
8. Ring Toss
Toss floating rings into the pool and have players compete to collect as many as possible within a set time frame. This game can be made more challenging by increasing the number or size of the rings, making it suitable for different age groups and skill levels.
For a variation, try setting up targets around the pool that players must aim for when tossing their rings. Award points based on the difficulty of each target, and keep track of scores to crown the ultimate Ring Toss champion.
Looking for more challenging pool games? Check out these
swimming games for kids and adults for ideas that everyone can enjoy.
9. Musical Chairs with Pool Noodles
Using pool noodles arranged in a circle, players swim around until the music stops and then quickly grab a noodle. Remove one noodle each round until one player remains. This aquatic twist on the classic game is sure to bring plenty of laughter and excitement.
To keep the game exhilarating, vary the music tempo or introduce special ‘bonus rounds’ where players must perform specific actions, like a spin or a dive, before grabbing a noodle. These variations add layers of fun and keep everyone engaged.
10. Simon Says
A wet twist on the classic game, Simon Says in the pool involves players following commands prefixed with ‘Simon says.’ Players who follow commands without the prompt or miss a ‘Simon says’ are out. This game improves listening skills while keeping everyone active and entertained.
Introduce water-specific actions such as ‘Simon says, do a handstand’ or ‘Simon says, swim underwater,’ making the game more thematic and fun. This variation spices up the game and can be tailored to the participants’ swimming abilities.