November 2011
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Different age groups tend to utilize swimming pools in different ways. You probably use your pool for exercise and relaxation, while your children or grandchildren see it as an aquatic playground. One good way for the entire family to enjoy the pool together is through pool games. Classics such as Marco Polo and tag have long provided kids with entertainment — while helping them improve their swimming skills. For parents and guardians, games are a way to get wet and stay active while supervising the youngsters to make sure everyone remains safe.
Pool Games for Everyone
Ed Rhine, former swim coach and camp counselor at Upper Perkiomen in East Greenville, Penn., and B.J. Henry, Cuda swim director for Valley Vista Swim Team in Walnut Creek, Calif., share three exciting games that will liven up a birthday party or family fun day. Read the descriptions below and then print out the list of instructions for Ping-Pong Frenzy, Chicken or Dibble Dabble.
Before you begin, remember that safety is a necessary component for having fun. A responsible adult should always be present to supervise any children playing around the pool area, and all members of the family need to take proper precautions to protect themselves from the heat and sun.
Ping-Pong Frenzy
Players: 4 or more
Ages: All age groups
Equipment: Waterproof Ping-Pong paddles, 2 buckets of balls and a net or rope.
Objective: To have the least number of Ping-Pong balls on your side of the pool.
In this high-energy game, two teams face each other at opposite ends of the pool. Each team uses Ping-Pong paddles to hit the balls onto the other team’s side of the pool. The action gets fast and frenzied as the balls fly back-and-forth. Whichever team has the least amount of balls on its side after five minutes, wins.
Variations: If you don’t have paddles or balls, or are playing with small children, try using floating pool toys. The toys can be thrown instead of batted back-and-forth.
Chicken
Players: Any size group
Ages: All age groups
Equipment: Your imagination
Objective: To be the first out of the pool in the “chicken position.”
A guaranteed workout, this goofy game will keep everyone laughing amidst huffs and puffs. Players compete to be the first one to swim across the pool, climb out and pose like a chicken. The winner gets to make up the next pose.
“Chicken makes children quicker swimmers but more than anything, it’s hilarious to watch,” Henry says.
Variations: Make up as many variations as you can.
Dibble Dabble
Players: Any size group
Ages: All age groups
Equipment: Small object that won’t float (such as a toothpick).
Objective: To find the dibble dabble.
One person with goggles hides the dibble dabble in the bottom of the pool. Everyone must stand outside the pool with his or her back turned while it is being hidden. Once the object is hidden, everyone stands on the outside of the pool, looking to find the object on the bottom. Once someone sees it, he or she can jump in and try to grab it. When it is found, the person submerges and yells “dibble dabble!” The winner then gets to hide the dibble dabble for the next round.
Variations: Instead of a dibble dabble, you can use coins and call the game “treasure hunt.”
