Fun Pool Games for Kids that Wont Break the Bank

Each summer we try to think of new activities for our children to play while enjoying their few months off from school. The swimming pool is the number one option of many children for summer fun. As the hot weather continues it is often a struggle to think of new activities or games to keep the kids happy and entertained. While toy makers keep coming out with more pool products, the cost of staying on top of those trends can add up quickly. Here are some pool activities that kids can enjoy without having to splurge on the latest pool toys.

Younger Children

Ice Cube:

What you need: Different sized balloons

Number of Players: 1 or more

How to Play: This activity is best for really young children. The night before going into the pool, take the balloons and fill them up with water. Place the balloons in the freezer and in the morning take them out, cut away the balloon and let the kids hold them and watch the different shapes and sizes melt at different rates. The child can also watch the ice float on top of the water and push it around the shallow end while it melts. The younger kids tend to marvel at the ice "disappearing."

London Bridges:

What you need: Nothing, just a pool!

Number of Players: 4 or more

How to Play: Either in a kiddie pool or the very shallow end of your inground swimming pool have two of the children hold hands facing each other and tell them to hold them in an upside down V in the air. The other children should walk under the children's "bridge," while all are singing "London bridges falling down, falling down." After each child has gone through, the bridge should lower until the children have to doggie paddle to get under the bridge. Whoever makes it under the lowest bridge is the winner.

Relay Race:

What you need: 2 kickboards or other flotation devices

Number of Players: 2 or more

How to Play: This game is great for small children that are learning how to swim. If still needed, put a life vest on each child and have them start at one end of the pool holding onto the flotation device or kickboard. When you say "GO", the first player on both teams holds the kickboard out in front of them and begins kicking to propel themselves to the other end of the pool and back. The first player passes the kickboard on to the second player and off they go. The team to finish first is the winner.

Older Children

Add on:

What you need: Nothing, just a pool!

Number of Players: 2 or more

How to Play: This game is best played by older children that can hold their breath under water. Each child stands in the shallow end of the pool and the first child begins by doing a task under water. They can do a front flip, back flip, sit on the ground, touch the bottom with their hand or head, a summersault, a funny face or anything else that they can think of to do under water. After the first child does their trick, the second player does the first person's trick followed by their own trick. The next child does the first then the second players trick then their own. Each player is to continue repeating the sequence completely under water until someone forgets the sequence or cannot hold their breath long enough to complete it. The person that can't remember or can't hold their breath is out, and the other children continue. The last remaining player is the winner.

Treasure Hunt:

What you need: 10-20 coins (depending on the number of children)

Number of Players: 2 or more

How to Play: Toss 10 to 20 coins into the pool. Have each child waiting at the edge of the pool and when you say "GO," they have to collect as many coins as possible in the time they are under water. The child that comes up with the most coins is the winner. If you want to make it more fun, throw in some more coins and give the kids a minute to collect as many as possible and whoever has the most after the minute expires, wins. This game can also be friendly for smaller children in kiddie pools. If you have 3 or 4 year olds, toss in 5 or 6 coins and tell them whoever can collect the most coins is the winner.

Speed Boat Relay:

What you need:

• 4 Buckets
• 2 Flotation Devices
• 2 Plastic Cups

Number of Players: at least 4

How to Play: Divide players into 2 teams. Place two full buckets of water on the edge of one end of the pool and place two empty buckets on the edge at the other end. Have both teams line up next to the full buckets of water with the first player on each team holding the empty cup and the flotation device. When you say "GO," the first players have to fill up their cups full of water from the bucket, place it on the flotation device, ferry it across the pool as fast as they can, dump it into the empty bucket and then return with the empty cup and flotation device. The first player passes both the flotation device and the cup to the second player who repeats the same process. The game is over after each player has had one turn. The team that wins is whoever has the most water in their bucket. Therefore, the quickest team is often not the winner; the winner is whoever is careful enough to transport the most water. If you only have four players, it will probably be best to have everyone go twice.

Enjoy this summer with some fresh new games that will keep your children entertained and not cost you an arm and a leg.