20 Ridiculously Fun (and Safe) Pool Games for Kids

$25

SHOP NOW

On days when it's too hot for basketball, try Watermelon Ball. It's made to dribble just like a basketball but UNDER WATER.

$9

SHOP NOW

Squeeze the potato to begin this water-proof version of the quick-pass game. If you're holding it when the music stops, you're out!

$16

SHOP NOW

Here's a way to include young swimmers who aren't quite ready for the deep end: Have them toss their ball with the goal to sink it in the hole with the highest point value.

$20

SHOP NOW

Grab a partner and get ready to joust with this log and bopper set. Just know, someone is getting dunked!

$19

SHOP NOW

Line up these rings in a row and challenge each player to swim through 'em at their fastest speed. Whoever finishes with the quickest time gets the first pick of post-pool popsicles.

There are many uses for a pool noodle, and instead of your kids just floating on one or pretending to have a sword fight, make boats to race in the pool.

Get the tutorial at Our Family of Seven »

What you'll need: pool noodles ($11 for 4, amazon.com), plastic straws ($6, amazon.com), foam sheets ($7, amazon.com)

Keep your kids' math skills sharp over the summer with a fun game that allows them to swim and practice their school lessons. Try these pool games for math fun!

Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved »

What you'll need: pool noodles ($11 for 4, amazon.com), foam numbers ($15, amazon.com), foam shapes ($12, amazon.com), duct tape ($7, amazon.com)

Craft a squirt gun obstacle course race through your backyard and pool, and watch your kids race to the finish line!

Get the tutorial at This Grandma Is Fun »

What you'll need: sturdy string ($10, amazon.com), duct tape ($9, amazon.com), plastic cups ($6, amazon.com), water guns ($5, amazon.com)

Make your own Scrabble pieces, toss 'em in the water, and have the players race to collect as many as they can, and then comes the game we all know and love. Can you spell victory?

Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved »

What you'll need: sponges ($5, amazon.com), permanent marker ($5, amazon.com)

Gather participants along the side of the pool in a single file line with as little space between them as possible. They'll start by walking in a circle, then jogging, and then "running." This will create a current to "carry" them around the pool. Here's the hard part: tell them to change directions and have them keep moving!

It's basically freeze tag while in the pool. When players are tagged, they must freeze, and stand with their hands straight above their heads, much like a popsicle. The secret to winning is swimming underwater, because when they are submerged, they cannot be tagged by "it" and can unfreeze one of the popsicles.

The single "shark" begins this game of tag in the deep end, and the rest of the "minnows" start in the shallow end, with the goals of swimming across to the deep end and touching the wall without getting caught by the shark. If any minnows are tagged before reaching the end, they will join forces with the shark to tag more people out.

Note: This game is played in the deep end, so make sure all players are comfortable before diving in!

This diving game allows the kids to dive in for treasures. Throw in loose change and watch the kids search for them and then pick them up from the pool floor.

Fill plastic water bottles (unlabeled) with pool water, screw the cap on, and hide in the bottom of the pool. The challenge is for the kids to find the bottles, which is a lot harder than it seems!

One player will be "it" while the rest are "bobbers." The bobbers try to bob up and down in the water (without moving from their place in line), and whoever's "it" will try to get them to move by trying to tap them with a pool noodle.

Give each player a rubber duck. On "go," they must push the duck to the other end of the pool using their nose. On your mark, get set, race!

What you'll need: rubber ducks ($9, amazon.com)

Time for your kids to get creative! Have swimmers split into teams and choreograph their own water ballet to their favorite songs. Props welcome!

Give each player a cotton ball to keep dry in this relay game. They must keep it dry as the swim to the other end of the pool. Warning: opponents can try to get your cotton ball wet. Make sure to keep it safe!

What you'll need: cotton balls ($9, amazon.com)

See who would make the best mermaid in this underwater swimming race.

This fun pool game is like water polo, except you use beach balls and aim to get your ball into your team's goal while keeping the other team from scoring.

What you'll need: beach balls ($4, amazon.com)