27 Pool Party Games for Kids & Families
Hosting a pool party is a fantastic way to bring together friends and family for a day of fun in the sun, splashing around in the water, and creating lasting memories. While swimming is usually the main activity, incorporating a variety of pool party games and activities can enhance the experience and keep everyone entertained throughout the day.
From classic games like Marco Polo and pool volleyball to creative activities like water balloon toss and pool noodle races, there are endless possibilities to choose from. Whether you're looking for energetic games to get everyone moving or more relaxed activities for lounging by the pool, there's something for everyone to enjoy. These games not only add to the excitement of the party but also promote friendly competition and teamwork, making your pool party a memorable and enjoyable event for guests of all ages.
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1. Mermaid Race
Mermaid races are a fun and creative way to liven up your pool party. Divide guests into teams and have them race from one end of the pool to the other while keeping their feet together (like a mermaid). If you're feeling adventurous, you can even create a course with underwater treasure for your racers to collect! Make sure to provide plenty of snacks and refreshing drinks for your guests after the race is over. Bonus points if you compete while wearing swimmable mermaid tails. Set the scene with Swimply pools featuring a waterfall or grotto.
2. Beach Ball Relay
Beach ball relay is a great game that will ensure hours of entertainment for your pool party. Start by dividing your guests into two or more teams and line them up at one end of the pool. Give each team a beach ball and have them race from one end of the pool to the other, passing the beach ball back and forth until they reach the finish line. The first team that makes it across without dropping their beach ball wins!
3. Pool Noodle Jousting
Jousting has been popular since medieval times - but why not spice things up with some modern twists? Using colorful foam noodles as “lances” two guests sit facing each other atop inflatable rafts (or even inner tubes) in waist-deep water - then proceed to try and knock each other off using only their noodle lances! This hilarious pool party game provides endless laughs as well as plenty of splashing around too - making it ideal for any family-friendly swim event!
4. Dive For Treasure
Adding an element of adventure into any gathering is always welcomed - especially when it involves diving underwater in search of treasure! Toss coins, gems, shells, or other treasures into your swimming pool before inviting guests over - then challenge them all to see who can retrieve the most before time runs out. An added bonus here might be to provide snorkeling equipment so everyone gets involved - both adults and kids alike!
5. Poolside Karaoke
Karaoke is always fun – especially when it’s done beside a swimming pool! Set up a karaoke machine nearby with some classic summer tunes ready to go and let your guests show off their singing skills. Encourage friendly competition between participants by voting on who had the best performance at the end of each song!
6. Cannonball Contest
The cannonball contest is always sure to draw laughter and delight from all participants at any pool party! Challenge each guest to see who can make the biggest splash with their cannonball dive – then award prizes accordingly at the end of all rounds. Browse Swimply for pools with diving boards for the optimal cannonball competition.
7. Poolside Movie Night
There's no denying the universal appeal of a good movie night. Enhance your pool party experience by setting up a projector and screen poolside, allowing guests to enjoy a cinematic experience under the stars. Alternatively, browse Swimply for pools with TV screens or projectors and rent the perfect party-ready space to host your swim-up movie night.
Provide a selection of comfortable pool floats and loungers on the deck, encouraging guests to relax and unwind as they watch the movie. Consider serving movie-themed snacks and drinks to complete the outdoor movie theater atmosphere. This relaxing and entertaining activity is sure to be a hit with guests of all ages, providing a memorable and enjoyable evening by the pool.
8. Obstacle Course
Create an exhilarating aquatic adventure and turn the pool into an obstacle course! Start by assembling an array of pool-friendly objects, including inflatable floats, water guns, rings, and pool noodles. Strategically arrange these items throughout the pool, creating a challenging course for party-goers to navigate. Players can swim under floating mats, weave through rings, and float on inflatable floats and noodles. With careful planning and creativity, you can transform your pool into an exciting and fun-filled aquatic obstacle course that will delight guests of all ages.
9. Water Balloon Toss
Simple but effective fun for everyone! Fill up a few dozen water balloons and collect them in two buckets. Divide your group into teams and toss water balloons back and forth in one of the classic pool party games. Each time someone catches the balloon, take a step back. The last team standing without breaking their balloon wins.
10. Pool Volleyball
If you’re looking for an active pool party game that everyone can participate in, try out water Volleyball! Set up a net in your pool and divide players into two teams on either side. Each team takes turns hitting or blocking the ball so that it lands in their opponents’ area. Play continues until one team reaches 11 points or more (depending on how many people are playing).
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11. Pool Basketball
For a fun twist on basketball, set up a basketball hoop at your pool and challenge your friends to see who can make it in the hoop! This is perfect for kids who may not yet be able to play traditional basketball due to height restrictions or adults who may just want something casual and fun. Play one-on-one games or even have a dunk contest if there's enough room around the hoop! Search Swimply pools with basketball hoops and enjoy pool party basketball fun by the hour.
12. Marco Polo
There's no way our list would be complete without this swimming pool classic! It's basically a game of tag but in the water. Whoever is "it" has to keep their eyes closed while calling out "Marco" - to which the other players must respond "Polo!" The player seeking must rely on their hearing (and swimming skills) to tag someone else.
13. Musical Floats
Imagine a lively poolside game similar to musical chairs but with a wet twist. As the music plays, players walk around the pool, eyeing the colorful array of floating pool toys scattered on the water's surface. When the music suddenly stops, the players scramble to find a pool float to sit on. However, there's a catch—after each round, one pool float is removed from the pool, making the game more challenging as the number of available floats dwindles. The last person remaining, successfully securing a seat on a floatie when the music stops for the final time, emerges as the victorious player. This game adds an element of excitement to your pool party. Award the winner a prize to remember the moment.
14. Sponge Relay Race
Add a refreshing twist to your pool party by dividing guests into teams and setting up a thrilling sponge relay race. Position a bucket filled with water at one end of the pool and an empty bucket at the other end. Each team is given a sponge, and the objective is to soak the sponge in the water, race to the empty bucket at the opposite end of the pool, and squeeze the water from the sponge into the bucket. Teammates must work together, passing the sponge down the line and strategizing to efficiently transfer the water. The team that successfully fills their bucket first, signaling the end of the race with a splash of water, emerges victorious. This engaging and competitive game not only provides a fun way to cool off but also promotes teamwork among your group.
15. Duck, Duck, Splash
Give the classic game gets an aquatic makeover! Guests sit in a circle while one person walks around tapping heads and saying “duck.” When they say “splash,” the tapped person must chase and tag them before they take their seat. Loser has to jump in the pool!
16. Beach Ball Relay
Divide your pool party attendees into teams of equal size and line them up along one side of the pool. Provide each team with a beach ball and explain that the goal of the game is to pass the beach ball over their heads and between their legs, alternating with each pass, as they race to the opposite end of the pool and back. The team members must work together to keep the beach ball moving smoothly without dropping it or letting it touch the water. The first team to successfully pass the beach ball to each member and back to the starting point wins the race. This game not only encourages teamwork and coordination but also adds an element of fun and friendly competition to the pool party.
17. Balloon Stomp
For a hilarious and wet twist on a classic game, fill balloons with water and secure them to your guests’ ankles with string. The objective is for players to stomp on and pop the water balloons attached to their opponents' ankles while protecting their own balloon. Players must use strategy and agility to avoid getting their own balloon popped while attempting to stomp on others'. The game continues until only one player remains with an intact balloon, who is then declared the winner. This exciting and refreshing pool party game is sure to bring laughter and excitement to your event.
18. Splash Contest
Have players take turns performing their best cannonball, belly flop, or other creative splash into the pool. Judges, or the crowd, score each splash based on height, style, and creativity.
19. Fish Out of Water
For an exciting and interactive pool party game, designate one person as the 'shark,' who stands in the middle of the pool with their eyes closed. The other players, known as 'fish,' must swim from one side of the pool to the other without getting tagged by the shark. If a fish is tagged by the shark, they must join the shark in the middle of the pool and help tag other fish. The game continues until there is only one fish remaining, who is declared the winner.
20. Water Limbo
Put a wet twist on the classic limbo game and use a stream of water from a hose or a pool noodle as your limbo stick! Players must lean backward and pass under the water without falling or touching it. Lower the stream after each round to increase the difficulty and challenge your guests to test their flexibility. Keep guests engaged as they compete to see who can go the lowest.
21. Popsicle Relay Race
Freeze popsicles in molds the night before the party. Divide players into teams and give each team a popsicle. Players must race to the other end of the pool while holding the popsicle. The catch? They can't use their hands to hold the popsicle, so they'll have to get creative! The first team to finish their popsicle wins.
22. Water Balloon Dodgeball
Water balloon dodgeball is a thrilling team-based game where players are divided into teams and armed with water balloons. The objective is to hit members of the opposing team with balloons while avoiding getting hit themselves. Players who are hit are considered 'out' and must leave the playing area, but can return if they catch a designated 'revive' balloon. The game continues until only one team has players remaining, making it a fun and engaging activity that promotes teamwork and strategic thinking
23. Floatie Parade
Encourage guests to bring their favorite pool floats and inflatables to the party. Host a 'floatie parade,' allowing guests to show off their floats and compete for the most creative or elaborate float. This fun and colorful activity add a festive touch to your pool party, showcasing guests' creativity and adding a playful element to the festivities. Set up a photobooth with a Polaroid camera to capture everyone’s unique floatie fashions and commemorate the moment.
24. Aqua Zumba
Hiring a Zumba instructor who specializes in water-based workouts can add a unique and exciting element to your pool party. Guests can participate in a high-energy dance fitness class in the pool, combining the fun of Zumba with the refreshing feel of the water. This activity not only keeps everyone active and moving but also provides a fun way to cool off from the sun. Plus, having a professional instructor ensures that everyone can safely enjoy the workout, regardless of their fitness level. Consider having your guests dress in colorful workout gear to make party photos everyone will want to keep.
25. Watermelon Eating Contest
Cut watermelons into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Guests must try to eat as many pieces as they can within a set time limit, without using their hands. The guest who eats the most pieces wins a prize.
26. Splash Dance
Turn up the tunes and get ready to make a splash with a poolside dance party! As the music fills the air, guests of all ages can groove to the beat while staying cool in the water. Whether it's freestyle dancing, synchronized routines, or friendly dance-offs, the splash dance is guaranteed to get everyone moving and laughing together.
27. Floating Ping Pong
Take a classic game and give it a watery twist with floating ping pong! Set up a small, inflatable table in the pool and challenge friends and family to a friendly match of ping pong. With the added challenge of playing on water, every volley becomes an exciting test of skill and coordination. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice player, floating ping pong is sure to make a splash at your pool party.
From the excitement of friendly competition to more laid-back options, we hope these all-age activities will inspire your next pool party games! It's important to always prioritize safety, especially when hosting a pool party. Make sure to provide supervision when needed, and ensure that everyone feels included and comfortable in the water. By creating a welcoming and safe environment, you can guarantee that all your guests will have a great time. So, gather your family and friends, find the perfect pool for your party, and get ready to create unforgettable memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Happy splashing!