POOL GAMES

Frozen Tag

Played preferably in a smaller pool, it’s just like regular frozen tag but, once tagged, another player has to swim under your legs to free you.

London River

Everyone walks clockwise around the swimming pool without stopping. One person is in the water with a hose, which is turned on. Everyone sings, “London river’s flooding up, flooding up …” as everyone else walks whenever “flooding up” is sung; the person in the water can then move the hose out of the water and spray someone else. During the part in the song that says “Take the key and lock her up,” you hold the hose out to another person; this person holds the hose and jumps into the pool.

Underwater Race

Have the kids line up beside a length of a pool (25 meters is ideal). One by one, they have to start at one end and swim as far as they can underwater – until they have to come up for air. Once they surface, have them sit on the pool deck next to the place where they came up. The top five or 10 people who went the farthest get a prize.

Seahorses and Mermaids

This game is played in the shallow end of a swimming pool. You need at least five people – two seahorses, two mermaids and one caller – but the more people you have, the better.

The seahorses make a circle in the water, and the mermaids stand behind the seahorses. The caller calls out “mermaids” or “seahorses.” If the caller says “mermaids,” the mermaids must swim like a mermaid with their legs together, clockwise around the circle, and take their place behind the seahorse. The last mermaid in her place is out, and so is her partner. If the caller says “seahorses,” the seahorse must back out between the mermaid’s fluke (legs) underwater. The seahorse must them swim clockwise around the circle, back under the fluke and stand up. The last seahorse in her place is out, and her partner is out, too. The last couple standing is the winner.

Penny Hunt

Throw a large amount of pennies (depending on the number of kids) into a good-size pool. Cover about a third of the pennies with correction fluid, and then send the children in to dive for them. If a child finds a penny covered with correction fluid, that child gets a prize. Great for all ages! Shallow water for the younger kids, and deeper for the older kids.

POOL PARTY IDEAS

March: My March Pool Madness

March madness? Are you ready for college basketball tourney madness? Show your support for your favorite team – get your hats, T-shirts, banners or “cry towels” – and meet me at my pool. The pool hoops are ready for my March madness. For fun or competition, co-ed teams are a must. Get fun prizes together and finish up with a cookout. No one will even think about turning on the TV (unless it’s outdoors).

April: Garden Pool Party

Create your own garden party for the millennium. Guests arrive with their favorite gardening secrets or plants … perhaps add a secret surprise gift exchange (small garden tools?) … Everyone knows that a garden needs plenty of water, so get in the pool … relax, enjoy and soak in the pleasure your garden pool party.

September: Back-to-School Splash

With Labor Day comes the official end of summer. And the back-to-school blahs take over for most students. What a great time to EXTEND THE POOL SEASON by inviting classmates (and parents/teachers if desired) to get together and renew friendships and make new ones. Keep cool by the pool and add your own theme – perhaps with a wacky hat contest and plenty of games, activities and fun for all!

November: Turkey Barbeque

Start a new family tradition with a turkey barbeque by the pool. Everyone brings their favorite Thanksgiving dish and, whether or not the turkey is actually cooked on an open fire or in the kitchen oven, everyone can enjoy the traditional day of thanks in a non-traditional, but most memorable way by your pool. Last one in the pool is a real turkey!