This collection of games will ensure that children have fun and burn off energy when you visit your local swimming pool.
Each of the games has simple rules and use easy-to-obtain materials. If played in the shallow end of the pool, they are also suitable for those who are not very confident in the water.
The whale and the herrings
This is a fun game of tag with a twist in the tail.
Number of players
Six or more
How to play
* Pick who is to be the 'whale'.
* The rest of the players - the 'herrings' - stand one behind the other, waist-deep in the water with hands on the shoulders of the person in front.
* Shout GO!
* The person who is the 'whale' then must attempt to tag the very last person in the line.
* In order to avoid this, the line of 'herrings' can twist and turn but have to keep their line intact.
* Once the 'whale' has tagged the last person in the line, the 'whale'
joins the end of the line.
* The person at the beginning is now the 'whale'.
* Play continues until everyone has had a chance to be the 'whale'.
Alternative method of play
If you have a large number of players, then you could have two 'whales' and two rows of 'herrings' playing the game at the same time. That way the 'herrings' will have to keep even more alert.
Catch the corks
This fun game can be played as one player against the other or team against team.
Numbers of players
Four or more
You will need
A bucket of corks
How to play
* Split the children into two equally- sized teams.
* Get them to stand on the edge of the pool in the shallow end.
* Throw a bucket of corks into the water a little way out, giving them a moment or two to disperse.
* Shout GO!
* Now the teams try to catch as many corks as they can until all have been collected.
* The teams then get out and add together the corks they have managed to collect. The team with the most corks wins the game.
Alternative method of play
Rather than play as a team, children can play one against the other, applying the same rules.
Alternative ideas
* Balls that will float, such as ping pong balls, can be used instead of corks.
* For children who are good swimmers, place the corks into the deeper end of the pool and get the children to swim from the shallow end before they are able to start collecting the corks.
* The game could easily be turned into a relay race, where the children work as teams and have to return to their teammates once they have collected a cork.
Balloon race
As the balloons bob about in the water, this game is sure to raise a smile or two.
Number of players
Four or more
You will need
One blown-up balloon per player
How you play
* Have the children line up along the edge of the pool.
* Give each of them an inflated balloon which they hold in their mouths.
* Shout GO!
* The players then swim to the other side of the pool and back again while holding the balloon in their mouths.
* If they let go and have to retrieve the balloon, they must start again.
* The first player to return to the start is the winner.
Alternative method of play
If you have limited numbers of balloons but lots of players, then play this game as a relay race, giving each team a balloon which has to travel the length of the pool. For hygiene reasons the children should hold the balloon above their head as they swim, rather than in their mouths.
Bank of England
A fast-paced game that is sure to make participants careful with their money!
Number of players
Four or more
You will need
One coin per player, plus spares
How you play
* The players line up next to one another at the edge of the pool in the shallow end.
* Give each of them a coin.
* They must balance the coin on the back of one of their hands.
* Shout GO!
* The players then swim from one side of the pool to the other without dropping the coin.
* If the coin is dropped, they have to return to the start and are given another.
* The first person to complete the round trip still with the coin in place is the winner.
Alternative method of play
If you have a large number of players, then this game can be turned into a relay race, with each player having to swim from one side of the pool to the other, holding the coin on the back of their hand, then passing it on to their teammate.
Pirates' treasure
If you've just played Bank of England, then this game is a great follow-on, as it means retrieving all those dropped coins is turned into a game.
Number of players
Four or more
You will need
A handful of coins (at least three per player)
How to play
* The players stand on the edge of the pool at the shallow end.
* Throw the coins into the pool, trying to get them as spaced out as possible.
* Shout GO!
* The players jump into the water and collect as many coins as they can.
* When the last coin has been collected, the players return to the edge of the pool to count how many they have collected. The player with the most number of coins wins the game.
Alternative method of play
* If you have a stopwatch, the children can play against the clock rather than against one another.
* This game can be played as a relay race with the players split into same sized teams and one player from each team at a time gets into the pool to collect a coin. When the coins have all gone or time has elapsed the team with the most wins the game.
Jellyfish
Another fun and fast-moving water tag game.
Number of players
Five or more
How to play:
* Pick the person who is to be the 'jellyfish' and they get into the middle of the pool.
* All the other players line up along the edge of the pool.
* Shout GO!
* At this time the players swim from one side of the pool to the other without being touched by the 'jellyfish.' Once a player has their hand on the side of the pool, they are protected against being caught.
* Those who are touched by the 'jellyfish' become 'jellyfish' themselves and help the first to catch the other players.
* The game continues in this way until all players, bar one, has been caught. That one is the winner.
Alternative method of play
Rather than all players becoming a 'jellyfish' when caught, the player who was caught becomes the new 'jellyfish' and the previous one joins the other players and the game resumes. NW
Safety tips
* Adult supervision is necessary whenever children are playing in water.
* All children should be made aware that if they hear either a whistle or a coded word shouted, play must stop at once.
* If there are children playing any of these games who are not good swimmers, then either ensure they wear inflated armbands or only let the play take place in the shallow part of the pool.
* Wearing goggles can encourage some children who are wary of the water into it, thus building their confidence.
* Running around the pool should not be allowed.
