Top 10 Timeless Swimming Pool Games

When summer heat peaks, pools become the go-to spot for both kids and adults to cool down and enjoy timeless pool games.

Locating a pool for these activities is relatively easy, especially in the U.S., which boasts over 10.4 million private pools and 309,000 public swimming pools [source: CDC]. The origins of public pools trace back to the late 19th century, primarily in densely populated immigrant areas of cities like Boston and New York. Interestingly, the first municipal pool, the Cabot Street Bath in Boston, was designed not for leisure but to offer bathing facilities for families in the neighborhood who had limited access to cleanliness [source: Martin].

After securing a pool, the next step is organizing your games. We've curated a list of 10 all-time favorites to maximize your enjoyment during those sweltering summer days in the water. First up is the most cherished game, inspired by a 13th-century explorer.

10: Marco Polo

This game stands as the undisputed champion of traditional pool games. Long before children study the historical Marco Polo, the 13th-century Italian explorer who chronicled his adventures in China, they master this watery adaptation of Blind Man's Bluff.

To enjoy Marco Polo, you need a minimum of two participants, though a larger group enhances the fun. One player is chosen as "Marco," who must close their eyes and attempt to tag the others in the pool. Using a basic form of sonar, Marco shouts "Marco!" and the others must reply, "Polo!" Guided by the sound of their voices, Marco tries to catch the Polos. The first person tagged becomes the new Marco.

While the rules of Marco Polo are straightforward, enforcing them can be challenging. Marco might try to peek, or the Polos might refuse to respond. In a sneaky move, Polos might even exit the pool. To counter such tactics, some players allow Marco to shout, "Fish out of water!" if they suspect someone has left the pool [source: Retroland]. If correct, the "fish" becomes the new Marco.

9: Chicken Fight

Before we begin, a word of caution. As your mother likely reminded you countless times during childhood, chicken fights in the pool can be risky. Injuries like neck strains, accidental water inhalation, and even wardrobe malfunctions (think bikini tops) are not uncommon. Despite the risks, it remains a beloved classic.

A poolside chicken fight resembles a two-tiered wrestling match. Teams consist of two players each: a "bottom" and a "top." The "top" perches on the shoulders of the "bottom," and only the "tops" engage in combat. The goal is to unseat your opponent, either by knocking just the "top" or both the "top" and "bottom" into the water.

Like any time-honored sport, chicken fights come with their own set of rule variations. Most players ban scratching, hair-pulling, punching, biting, or other unsportsmanlike conduct—though not all. Some consider the game won when any part of the "top" touches the water, while others wait for a complete dunk. In certain pools, even the "bottoms" are allowed to join the fray. After all, in love, war, and water wrestling, anything goes.

8: Sharks and Minnows

At its core, sharks and minnows is a thrilling game of aquatic tag. It begins with one shark and multiple minnows. The shark positions itself at one end (or the center) of the pool, while the minnows gather at the opposite end. When the shark shouts "Minnows in!" or a similar command, the minnows leap or dive into the pool, attempting to swim to the other side without being caught by the shark. Each tagged minnow joins the shark’s team, aiding in the pursuit of the remaining minnows. The last minnow standing becomes the shark in the subsequent round.

Rules vary regarding when a minnow can be tagged. In one variation, a minnow is safe from tagging while fully submerged. The shark must either wait for the minnow to surface for air or attempt to pull them up to make the tag.

Another version emphasizes stealth. The game starts with the shark facing away from the pool, only turning around upon hearing a minnow enter the water. Minnows who slip in quietly and swim without splashing gain a significant advantage, securing a head start toward the opposite side.

Safe zones are a common addition to the game. If a minnow is in contact with a designated safe area, such as the pool drain or diving board, the shark is prohibited from tagging them.

7: Handstand Contest

For those lacking gymnastic prowess, few activities are as gratifying as executing an underwater handstand. Surprisingly, a feat that demands exceptional balance and strength on land becomes almost effortless when performed underwater.

To add a competitive edge, underwater handstands have evolved into a beloved pool game. The goal is to maintain an underwater handstand longer than your competitors. Success requires balance, composure, and, if you’re skilled, impressive breath-holding abilities.

A handstand contest can involve two or more participants, but it’s crucial to have an unbiased judge. The judge counts to three, shouts "Go!" and the competitors dive underwater to assume their handstand positions. The handstand is valid until both feet are submerged. The last person to lose balance and tip over is declared the winner.

Variations of the game include one-handed handstands, one-finger handstands, and the challenging no-handed handstand, which is essentially treading water upside-down. If it sounds difficult, that’s because it truly is.

6: Holding Your Breath Contest

In 2012, Danish free diver Stig Severinsen broke the world record for holding his breath underwater [source: Grenoble]. How long did he manage? Here’s a clue: your guess is probably far too low. He held his breath for an astonishing 22 minutes. Yes, 22 minutes!

Underwater breath-holding contests are a timeless, though sometimes contentious, pool activity. The rules are straightforward: participants count to three, take a deep breath, submerge, and compete to see who can remain underwater the longest. When children play, it’s typically safe, as they rarely push themselves to dangerous limits. However, as they grow older, the risks can increase significantly.

The primary risk in breath-holding contests stems from forced hyperventilation. By taking several rapid, deep breaths before diving, you expel CO2 from your body. Since the urge to breathe is triggered by rising CO2 levels, artificially reducing CO2 allows you to stay underwater longer.

However, this method can have severe consequences. As oxygen levels drop, the risk of losing consciousness increases. If this happens underwater without immediate supervision, drowning becomes a real danger [source: Canadian Red Cross].

If you decide to engage in a breath-holding game, prioritize safety and enjoyment. If you feel lightheaded after a few rounds, it’s wise to switch to a different activity.

5: Diving for Treasure

This game is perfect for kids wearing goggles. The idea is straightforward: Select a small, non-floating item and throw it into the pool. The children then race to find and retrieve it first.

There are numerous exciting variations of the diving for treasure game. To make it more challenging, scatter a dozen pennies across different areas of a large pool and have kids search for them all. For advanced swimmers, try playing in the deep end.

Back in the day, we used pennies and rocks as treasure, but now there are specially designed dive rings and dive sticks available just for this game!

4: Cannon Ball Contest

American diver David Boudia secured a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games by performing an almost perfect two-and-a-half somersault with two-and-a-half twists from the 10-meter (33-foot) platform [source: Coffey]. But can he pull off a cannon ball?

Achieving the perfect cannon ball involves leaping from a diving board or poolside, pulling your knees to your chest, and forming the iconic cannon ball shape. Unlike competitive diving, the aim isn’t a quiet entry but to make the most spectacular splash possible.

In a cannon ball contest, participants aim to wow the judges with their cannon balling prowess. Judges can evaluate based on splash size, style, or any other creative criteria they choose. Until cannon balling becomes an Olympic event, there are no standardized rules.

3: Belly Flop Contest

A belly flop contest is a timeless counterpart to the cannon ball contest. To nail a perfect belly flop, the participant must leap from a diving board (very daring) or the poolside, fully extend their limbs, and strive to generate the loudest, most painful "smack" as they hit the water.

Similar to the cannon ball contest, judges are needed to evaluate participants based on criteria such as the loudest splash, the reddest stomach, and the most impressive flop style.

2: Dolphin Race

This timeless pool game requires no special equipment or toys. The goal of the dolphin game is straightforward: Swim the longest distance underwater. Participants start on one side of the pool, submerge on the count of three, push off the wall, and attempt to reach the other side without surfacing for air. Skilled swimmers can perform a flip turn at the opposite wall and try to swim back. The winner is the one who covers the most distance without taking a breath.

Always exercise caution with games involving breath-holding. Instances of children passing out or even drowning due to prolonged underwater breath-holding have been reported. Pool safety experts refer to this as shallow water blackout [source: Margetts]. Adult supervision is strongly advised whenever children are playing in a pool.

1: Human Whirlpool

This game is fantastic for large groups in a spacious pool, making it ideal for summer camps or big pool parties. In nature, whirlpools form when ocean currents rotate, often due to tidal movements [source: BBC]. While natural whirlpools are rare, a sizable group of people can generate a powerful whirlpool in the pool.

Select a spacious, shallow section of the pool and gather as many participants as possible. Ensure that if adults and children are both involved, all youngsters are proficient swimmers and of sufficient height so the water reaches no higher than their chests when standing.

Instruct everyone to begin walking in a broad, unified circle, gradually increasing their speed. Initially, the water's resistance will make this challenging. However, after about half a minute, the synchronized movement of the group will generate a powerful circular flow. Once this current is strong enough, direct everyone to lift their feet and float, resulting in a whirlpool. Should the whirlpool's strength wane, have the group resume running to rebuild momentum.