admin 28 Jul 2025
The swimming pool isn't just for learning strokes; it's a fantastic playground for endless fun, laughter, and building water confidence! At Starfish Swim School, we believe that learning should always be enjoyable. That's why we've rounded up five exciting and easy-to-play swimming pool games for kids of all ages—from pool games for 5-year-olds to older children. These fun pool activities for children are not only entertaining but also help kids feel more comfortable and happy in the water. Parents, get ready to make a splash at home or during your next visit to the pool!
This timeless game is a staple for a reason! It's fantastic for developing listening skills and spatial awareness in the water.
How to Play: Choose one player to be "it" (the seeker). This person closes their eyes (or wears a blindfold for an extra challenge and safety) and counts to a predetermined number (e.g., 10 or 20). While "it" counts, all other players quietly scatter around the pool. Once the count is over, "it" calls out "Marco!" and the other players must respond with "Polo!" Using only the sound of their voices, "it" tries to tag another player. The moment someone is tagged, they become the new "it," and the game begins again! Simple, fun, and a great way to get kids moving and giggling.
Ready for some friendly competition? Noodle Joust is an absolute blast and perfect for active kids who love a bit of playful challenge.
What you'll need:
How to Play: Select two brave "knights" to be the jousters. Help them safely get onto the pool floatie/raft, pushing them gently towards the middle of the pool. Hand each player a sturdy pool noodle. The joust begins! Players use their noodles to playfully "joust" (lightly push or tap) at each other until one player is (safely!) knocked off the floatie. The last one remaining on the floatie is crowned the winner! This game encourages balance and coordination in a super fun way.
Prepare for a mesmerising and surprisingly powerful experience! Atomic Whirlpool is less of a competition and more of a cool science experiment mixed with fun.
How to Play: Gather all the players and have them form a single-file line along the edge of the pool. First, instruct everyone to start walking briskly around the edge of the pool in the same direction. After about 30 seconds of walking, tell them to transition into a gentle jog. Keep this up for another 30 seconds. Finally, encourage them to start running! As they continue running in a circle, a strong current will begin to form, pulling them along. Once a powerful current has built up, tell everyone to stop and try to walk in the opposite direction. They'll be amazed at how challenging it is to move against the strong current they created! It’s a fantastic way to feel the power of water.
Bring your favourite land-based sports into the water for a refreshing twist! These games are fantastic for teamwork, motor skills, and burning off energy.
What you'll need:
How to Play: Whether you're playing one-on-one or dividing into teams, basketball and volleyball take on a whole new level of fun in the pool. The water provides resistance, making every movement a bit more of a workout and adding a hilarious element of buoyancy. You can set up official teams and keep score, or just enjoy casually tossing the ball around, shooting hoops, or bumping it over an imaginary net. These games guarantee hours of active enjoyment and are brilliant for encouraging kids to interact and move around in the water.
Inspired by the classic basketball game H-O-R-S-E, F-I-S-H is a creative game that encourages kids to try new movements and tricks in the water.
How to Play: The first player performs a "stunt" or task in the water that the others must then try to repeat. For example, if the first player does a handstand in the water, every other player takes a turn attempting a handstand too. If a player successfully performs the task, they're safe. If someone cannot successfully perform the task, they earn the first letter in the word "FISH" (so, an "F"). The game continues with a new player performing a task, and others trying to repeat it. The first player to "spell" F-I-S-H by failing tasks is out or loses the round.
Tips for Fair Play: To keep the game fun and fair, you might want to introduce a rule that players can only pick a specific task once per game, preventing someone from repeatedly choosing a stunt no one else can do. Having an objective judge (a parent or instructor) can also help ensure everyone agrees on whether a stunt was successfully completed!
While these games are incredibly fun, adult supervision is always essential when children are playing in and around the pool, especially for safe pool games for toddlers. Always ensure that children are playing in depths appropriate for their swimming ability. For games like Noodle Joust, ensure the floatie is stable and that players are comfortable falling into the water. Never allow rough play that could lead to injury. Prioritise safety above all else to ensure a happy and splash-filled experience for everyone!
These games are not just about having a blast; they're wonderful ways to boost water confidence, improve coordination, and make every moment in the water a positive learning experience. They are safe pool games for toddlers with supervision, and endlessly entertaining for older kids too. Learning to swim should always be an adventure!
Ready to turn playtime into progress? Enroll your child in Starfish Swim School today and let them discover the joy of swimming with expert instructors and a programme designed for fun and safety. Visit our website or call us to learn more about our classes and start your child's aquatic journey!
10 Clapperton Street, Bentleigh 3204