Swimming Pool Games for Older Kids

Here are some great pool games for those hot summer days. These games are intended for older children, who can swim unassisted. As with any water activity, adult supervision is suggested.

Sharks and Minnows

One person is the shark, the rest are minnows. The minnows line up at one end of the pool, while the shark stands or treads water near the centre of the pool. When the shark calls out "minnows", all the minnows must race past the shark to the other end of the pool. The shark tries to tag as many minnows as possible as they swim by. Minnows are only safe when they are touching the other side of the pool. Tagged minnows become sharks and assist the first shark in catching remaining minnows. The game is repeated until there is only one minnow left. This minnow becomes the next shark.

Underwater Freeze Tag

This game is best played with five or more people and in the shallow end. One player is "IT" and tries to tag players. When players are tagged, they stand "frozen" in place, with their arms in the air and their legs spread apart. To unfreeze a player, a non-frozen player swims through the player's legs. The game continues until "IT" tags everyone. The last person tagged becomes the next "IT". (Note: "IT" cannot tag a player while they are under water!)

By Rochelle Strauss