Aquatic Games for Cottages With Pools

So, you are renting a holiday cottage with a swimming pool for your family and friends. But beyond using it to splash about or plough up and down doing laps for 30 minutes, have you considered how much fun pool games will add to your holiday?

Many entertaining games for all ages can be played in a small indoor or outdoor swimming pool. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Marco Polo

This classic pool game is perfect for small pools. One person is “it” and must keep their eyes closed while calling out “Marco!” The other players respond with “Polo!” and the “it” person tries to tag them based on their voices.

2. Sharks and Minnows

Another classic pool game, Sharks and Minnows, is excellent for small pools. One person is the “shark” and stands in the middle of the pool, while the other players are the “minnows” and line up on one side of the pool. The “shark” tries to tag the “minnows” as they try to swim to the other side of the pool.

3. Treasure Hunt

This game involves throwing small items, such as coins or plastic toys, into the pool and having players dive down to retrieve them. The player who collects the most items wins.

4. Water Volleyball

You can play water volleyball in a small pool with a net. This game is fun for players of all ages and skill levels.

5. Pool Tag

Similar to regular tag, this game involves chasing and tagging other players. However, the “it” person must swim to tag the other players in this version.

6. Noodle Jousting

This game requires two players on inflatable rafts, each armed with a pool noodle. A pool noodle is a cylindrical piece of flexible, buoyant polyethylene foam. Uses include helping people learning to swim, for rescue, aquatic exercise and games. The goal is to knock the other player off their raft without falling off themselves.

7. Have a Swimming Gala

While you could stick to conventional swimming races, including some alternative events would be much more fun. Here’s a list of our favourites… try not to laugh underwater. Here are some ideas:

1. 1. Underwater Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course in the pool that swimmers must navigate while swimming underwater. This could include diving through hoops, swimming under pool noodles, and collecting items from the bottom of the pool.

1. 2. Synchronized Swimming

This beautiful and challenging event involves teams of swimmers performing a synchronized routine to music.

1. 3. Cannonball Competition

See who can make the biggest splash with their cannonball jump. Judges can rate the splash size and creativity of the jump.

1. 4. Mermaid Races

Encourage participants to dress up as mermaids or mermen and race across the pool using a variety of swim strokes.

1. 5. Floating Relay Races

Teams of swimmers must navigate the pool while floating on pool floats or inner tubes. This can be a fun and silly event that everyone can participate in.

1. 6. Swimming with Props

Set up stations around the pool with different props, such as beach balls, noodles, or even inflatable animals, and have swimmers race to each station, grab a prop, and swim back to the start.

1. 7. Diving Contests

Encourage swimmers to show off their diving skills with creative and unique dives. Judges can rate the difficulty, execution, and creativity of the dive. Have categories for Best, Worst, Creative and Boring dives.

1. 8. Underwater Distance Gliding

Starting at one end of the pool, entrants dive in to see how far they can glide. Instant disqualification if swimmers move

muscle!

1.           i. The Awards Ceremony

          Present prizes; edible ones work well, although hand-made certificates can be fun. Include a few forfeits as well! These can be awarded to the swimmers who take the Gala too         

          competitively. Best done with a poolside BBQ.

   8. Underwater photo awards

Buy everybody in the group a cheap underwater disposable camera. Everybody takes an underwater photo of peoples’ antics in the swimming pool (above or below the water – the only rule being that the camera and photographer must be in the pool when the photo is taken. On the penultimate day, take all the cameras to a shop such as Boots that can develop photos onsite and in the evening, lay on a Photographic Awards Party with all sorts of categories dreamed up by the guests, from ‘Best Photo to the ‘Nice Try - But No Cigar’ Award. Everybody votes.

Always prioritize safety in and around the swimming pool and ensure everyone is comfortable with the games being played.