31 Fun Pool Party Games That Make a Splash
Make your next pool party unforgettable with this list of popular pool party games! These games include fun activities for younger kids to classic pool party games that older kids, teenagers and adults will love too for guaranteed splashing good time.
As a child, some of my fondest birthday memories were those celebrated with a pool party. We were lucky enough to have a swimming pool growing up (which gets a lot of use when you live in sunny Queensland, Australia) and pool parties were always a favourite!
And even if you don’t have your own swimming pool, many community pools offer birthday party sessions where you can play these fun swimming pool games too! Plus they are equally fun for a Summer day with friends and family too – no party required!
The Best Pool Party Games
This list of pool games includes plenty of classic favourites you may have played yourself as child as well as loads of new and creative water game ideas to mix it up.
1. Marco Polo
This classic game is a great way to start the fun and one is quite possibly the most well-known pool game. One player is chosen to be the “cursed player”. They close their eyes and try to tag others within the swimming pool, while not being able to look around.
When they need a clue, they call out “Marco” and all other players must reply with “Polo” to help them track down other players to tag. The first person tagged becomes the next “Marco.”
Gameplay variation: Usually everyone must stay in the water during Marco Polo, however, there is another game variation where players are allowed to walk around the edge to evade being tagged. If while out of the pool, the person who is “Marco” calls out “Fish out of water”, the person who is outside of the pool is then automatically the new “Marco”.
2. Pool Volleyball
Set up a net across the centre of a pool and divide players into equal teams. Use a ball, such as a beach ball or bouncy ball so that it isn’t too hard (and pool safe) and work as a team to score the most points.
Teams score a point when the ball hits the water on the other side of the net before anyone can hit it back over. The first team to reach a certain number of points wins.
What You Will Need:
- Volleyball net
- Ball
TIP: While a pool volleyball net is ideal for this game, you can get thrifty by typing a rope across the pool instead so that it sits around the same height as a net.
3. Whirlpool
Whirlpool was another one of those classic pool activities we did a lot as kids! Have everyone stand along the inside edge of the pool. Everyone starts walking around the pool. After a lap, have them start jogging around the pool. Once you’ve done a couple of laps as a group, it should cause a strong current to begin, creating a ‘whirlpool’.
Once the current is strong, challenge everyone to try walking in the other direction! It’s pretty near impossible. It’s also just fun to let the current carry you around the pool too.
4. Sharks and Minnows
A designated player, the “shark,” starts in the middle of the pool. All the other players are “minnows”. When the Shark yells “Go”, the minnows must attempt to swim to the opposite end of the pool without getting tagged by the shark.
As minnows are tagged, they join the shark in the centre of the pool and help tag players in the next round, making it much harder to make it across. Gameplay continues until there’s one minnow left!
5. Treasure Hunt
Scatter “treasures” at the bottom of the pool. Make sure they are pool-safe and won’t trapped in the filter! Players must dive down to collect as many as they can and keep their treasures.
You can also play this with dive rings and pool toys instead of actual treasures. For this version of the pool treasure hunt, give a prize to the person who retrieves the most treasures.
For added fun, use different colours or point values for different items so that it might not be about getting the most items, but instead about getting the most ‘valuable’.
Game Variation: You can also play this game in the pool at night by using glow-in-the-dark treasures like glow sticks and glowing ducks.
Here are some ideas for prizes that won’t be ruined in a pool:
- Silicone bracelets
- Waterproof squishy toys
- Rubber fidget toys
- Rubber ducks
- Glow sticks
- Sealed plastic capsules with surprises inside
- Small plastic figurines
- Dive toys
- Novelty sunglasses
- Mini squirters
- Mini pool floats
- Balls
What You Will Need:
- Treasures such as coins or toys that will sink
- Dive toys
TIP: Make sure you count how many treasures go in the pool so you know that all are accounted for at the end of the game!
6. Pool Noodle Joust
Players sit on pool rafts or noodles and try to knock each other off using another pool noodle. The last seahorse “standing” wins!
This is a lot of fun but best played with older kids and above, who are a little more aware of safety near pool edges.
What You Will Need:
- Pool Noodles
- Pool floats
7. Ring Toss
Set up a simple game of ring toss in the shallow end of a swimming pool. You can get a floating ring toss target, or sit one on a pool raft or bodyboard instead. The moving target makes it trickier to land your rings!
What You Will Need:
- Ring toss set
- Optional: Raft or bodyboard to sit ring toss set on if not using a floating version
8. Freeze Tag
Freeze tag is just like regular tag, but played in the water!
When players are tagged, they freeze until a teammate swims under their legs to “unfreeze” them.
If they are tagged in the deep end, they can float in place until they are unfrozen or move to the shallow end where they can stand instead, if not such a confident swimmer.
9. Ping Pong Scramble
Toss a wave of ping pong balls into the pool. Players scramble to collect as many balls as possible. The one with the highest number of balls collected is the ultimate pool party champion.
The funniest part of this game is watching everyone struggle to hold as many balls as possible since they are slippery and difficult to hold many at the best of times, without the added difficulty of water and trying to stay afloat.
You can set a timer for 30 seconds for a quick game and see who is holding the most as the timer goes off.
What You Will Need:
Gameplay variation: You can also step up the challenge by having different coloured balls that have a different point value per ball. Have fewer balls with higher points values so they are harder to get.
10. Egg & Spoon Races
Egg and spoon races are a classic birthday party game, but you can adapt it into a fun pool party game too!
For this game, ideally don’t use real eggs because the last thing you want is a pool full of cracked eggs. Ick! Instead, use plastic eggs, like the eggs used for Easter egg hunts. Not only are they pool-friendly, but they are also extra challenging to keep balanced since they are light.
Players must race each other from one end of the pool to the other, holding their plastic egg on a spoon, without it falling off. If their egg falls off, they must stop and put it back on before resuming the race, hoping it doesn’t float away too far before they retrieve it.
What You Will Need:
- Large spoons (plastic is fine)
- Plastic eggs (can also substitute for ping pong balls)
- Or get a plastic egg and spoon race set
Gameplay variation: For older kids, teens and adults, you can turn up the difficulty level by making them go right back to the start if their egg falls off. There is nothing worse than dropping your egg just before the finishing line and having to restart the whole race!
11. Duck Push
Give each player a rubber duck. Have them start at one end of the pool with their duck. They must try and reach the other side of the pool first with their duck. The catch… they can’t touch their duck with their hands!
Players must use other means to get their ducks across the other side of the pool such as splashing, using their forehead or blowing on their rubber ducks. Simple but hilarious fun!
What You Will Need:
- 1 rubber duck per player
12. Splash Contest
A group lines up at the edge of the pool, taking turns creating the biggest splash with a cannonball. The team of judges votes for the best splash!
13. Relay Races
Form equal teams and set a starting line and finish line in the pool. Each player swims to the opposite edge and back, tagging the next player. Simple, active fun that keeps the pool party guests entertained (with bonus practice for school swimming carnivals).
14. Pool Floatie Race
For this game, each player needs a pool floatie. Ideally have the exact same style of floatie per person to make it fair. This can be a pool raft, an inflatable ring or even a pool noodle.
Starting at one end of the pool, players must remain in their floatie and be the first person to touch the other side of the pool. It’s a whole lot of extra effort getting there in a pool floatie, adding a fun twist to the typical water race.
If you have a long, narrow pool, race in smaller groups so that everyone will fit across the width of the pool.
What You Will Need:
- 1 pool floatie per racer
15. Invisible Bottle Hunt
For this game, use a clear plastic water bottle (ideally one with a pale blue or white lid). Fill it with water and have players stand on the edge of the pool, facing away from the water.
Throw the water bottle in and give it time to sink, then call out “Go”. The first player to locate the bottle is the winner! It’s surprisingly hard since the clear bottle becomes nearly invisible at the bottom of the pool. This is another reason why you want your lid to blend in as closely to the bottom of your pool as possible too!
What You Will Need:
- A plastic water bottle filled with water
16. Pool Basketball
Set up a portable basketball hoop on the edge of the pool or get an inflatable floating hoop for the pool. Have players split into 2 teams, with the first team to score a certain number of baskets winning the game!
What You Will Need:
- Basketball hoop
- Ball
17. King of the Float
Challenge everyone to stay on a large inflatable pool raft while others try to knock them off. The last one on the float is the king of the float!
This pool game is best suited to adults and teens due to pool safety! Make sure to keep it in the centre of the pool to avoid any injuries!
What You Will Need:
- Large pool inflatable
18. Underwater Handstand Contest
This is a great game for older kids and younger kids alike. Players do handstands underwater, and the other players vote for the best one based on leg positioning and length of time they hold the position.
19. Mermaid Race
Players keep their legs together, like a mermaid’s tail, and swim across the pool. The first to reach the finish line is crowned the “mermaid”.
20. Pool Scavenger Hunt
This pool party game is best played outside of the pool since it requires kids to tick items off their scavenger hunt list!
Give each player a printable scavenger hunt checklist and a pen or pencil and see who can find everything on the list first. The winner is either the person who completes their entire list the fastest or who gets the most ticked off.
You can find loads of scavenger hunt printables on Etsy or make your own simple checklist with items such as:
- Pool inflatable
- Towel
- Googles
- Beach ball
- Sunscreen
- Insect
- Snacks
- Sunhat
- Swimmers
What You Will Need:
- Pool party scavenger hunt checklist per person
- Pen or pencils
21. Simon Says (Pool Edition)
Simon Says in the pool, with commands like “splash,” “jump,” or “handstand.” As with traditional Simon Says, one person is “Simon” while the other players must follow the instructions, but only when they begin with “Simon Says…”
For example, “Simon Says blow bubbles in the water”. If they only instruct without starting with Simon says, anyone who does the action is out until the next round.
22. Floating Musical Chairs
Use inflatables as “chairs” in the middle of the pool. When the music stops, players try to find an inflatable to sit on or pool ring to wear.
Play music and when it stops, all players must hurry to the nearest pool inflatable to secure their ‘chair’. Remove one inflatable before each round so that one player misses out. The last one with an inflatable at the end of the game is the winner!
A fun twist on musical chairs!
What You Will Need:
- Pool inflatables for each player
23. Octopus Tag
One player is the “octopus” and stands in the centre of the pool (or shallow end). The other players must try and swim past to reach the other side without getting tagged (similar to sharks and minnows).
If a player is tagged they link hands with the octopus to form a bigger octopus. During the next round, all these players must try and tag the remaining players. The last person tagged becomes the next octopus.
24. How Far Can You Go?
This is a simple game for older kids who are more confident swimmers. I used to love this as a kid because I was the master of my pool with holding my breath the longest!
Take turns starting from one edge of the pool and swimming to the other while holding your breath underwater. If you can hold it long enough, you might even be able to do a part or full second lap.
The person who makes it the furthest before coming up for air is the winner.
25. Capture the Flag (Pool Edition)
Players are divided into two teams and each given a flag to protect, that sits on their edge of the pool.
Without getting out of the water, players must race to capture the other team’s “flag” at the end of the pool without getting stopped by the opposite team, all while also protecting their own flag.
What You Will Need:
- Flag or toy to represent each team flag
26. Underwater Whisper Game
In this fun pool game, players speak a message underwater and pass it along. See if it reaches the end correctly! This is an underwater version of Chinese Whispers and it’s sure to end up with some pretty hilarious messages by the last person.
27. Pool Limbo
Hold a pool noodle over the water and see who can go the lowest. Then as it gets more challenging, the noodle is held at and below water level for players to swim under, limbo style.
What You Will Need:
- A pool noodle or limbo pole
28. Human Ring Toss
Have one player be “it” and other players must try and toss inflatable pool rings over them like a giant ring toss game.
What You Will Need:
- Inflatable pool rings
29. Sink or Float
Players guess if objects will sink or float before tossing the item in the pool to see the results. Score each person a point based on their correct guesses. Make sure you’re only tossing in pool-safe items though!
Some items you can try might be:
- An apple or orange
- A basketball
- A flip flop
- A full water bottle
- A water balloon
- A watermelon
What You Will Need:
- Items that you can throw in the pool
30. Hold Your Breath Contest
Players hold their breath underwater. The one who lasts the longest wins a small prize. This is similar to How far can you go game but standing in one spot, which makes it easier for small children.
31. Water Statues
Just like the classic party game for kids, statues, this game starts by playing music and everyone showing off their best dance moves in the water. When the music stops, they must freeze like a statue.
Have one person outside the pool each round to spot anyone who doesn’t freeze in time. It’s even harder to stay still in the pool after all those dance movies stirred up the water too. Those players are eliminated and join the ‘judge’ outside the pool to spot any other players who aren’t still
Turn the music back on and get everyone dancing again, repeating until there is one statue left standing.
More Party Games
If you also want some fun outside the pool, here are some fun party games for land:
I hope you add a few of these fun pool party games to your next Summer pool celebration! And in case you need some party planning inspiration, check out these yummy kids’ party snack ideas and healthy party food for kids too!
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