Family Fun: Best Swimming Activities for Kids

Check our video to see some more Swimming Pool Games for your family!

Swimming is one of the best ways to keep kids entertained, active, and engaged. Whether you’re heading to the local pool or enjoying a dip in the sea, children love splashing about in the water, and it’s a brilliant way to improve their swimming skills and confidence. However, just swimming back and forth can become repetitive for little ones. That’s why it’s a good idea to introduce some fun and safe swimming activities to make the experience even more enjoyable. Here are some of the best swimming games and activities to keep kids of all ages happy and active in the pool.

1. Sharks and Minnows

This classic game is sure to provide endless entertainment for children. “Sharks and Minnows” is essentially a water-based version of tag. One child is the "shark" and stands in the middle of the pool, while the rest of the children are "minnows" and line up at one side. The goal is for the minnows to swim from one side of the pool to the other without being tagged by the shark. Once tagged, they become sharks too. The game continues until only one minnow is left – they’re the winner!

This game helps kids practise swimming quickly and efficiently while being a lot of fun. It’s also a great way for children to build endurance in the water.

2. Treasure Hunt

What child doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? This activity is perfect for kids of all ages, and it helps them practise diving and swimming underwater. For this game, you’ll need some pool-safe toys or objects that sink to the bottom of the pool. You can find specially made diving toys, such as rings or dive sticks.

Throw the “treasures” into the pool and let the kids dive down to collect as many as they can. You can add some challenges to the hunt, like collecting only certain coloured items, to make it more engaging. It’s a simple but effective game for improving underwater confidence and breath-holding skills.

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3. Relay Races

Swimming relays are great for group fun, and they can be adapted to suit different ages and skill levels. You can organise a race where children swim a certain distance in the pool before tagging the next teammate. If you have younger children, you can allow them to use floatation devices, like kickboards or pool noodles, to give them confidence and keep the game safe.

To make things more interesting, you could introduce a themed relay – for example, everyone has to swim like a mermaid, dolphin, or even a crab! It’s a wonderful way for kids to have fun while also building speed, stamina, and coordination in the water.

4. Water Polo (Kid-Friendly Version)

A simplified version of water polo is a fantastic way for kids to burn off some energy. All you need is a light inflatable ball and a couple of floatable markers or pool noodles to act as goals. Split the children into teams and have them try to score by getting the ball into the other team’s goal. You can adapt the rules based on the children’s swimming ability, ensuring it’s fun but not too competitive.

This activity encourages teamwork and helps kids develop their swimming and hand-eye coordination while staying active.

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5. Simon Says (Pool Edition)

You’ve probably played "Simon Says" on dry land, but did you know you can take it into the pool too? This is a perfect game for younger swimmers. The leader stands at the pool's edge and calls out actions like, "Simon says, swim like a dolphin," or "Simon says, float on your back." The children must only follow the instructions when the leader says, "Simon says." If the leader gives a command without saying "Simon says," and someone follows the action, they’re out.

This game is perfect for introducing younger kids to different swimming movements in a light-hearted, pressure-free environment.

6. The Whirlpool

If you’re swimming in a circular or round pool, this activity is always a hit! Have the kids line up and start swimming in one direction around the pool. After a few laps, you’ll start to notice the water creating a whirlpool effect, pulling the kids along faster. Once the whirlpool is going, ask them to try and swim against the current. This is a great workout in disguise and lots of fun.

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Keeping Safety in Mind

While swimming is great fun, safety should always be the top priority. Always make sure an adult is supervising the pool, even if the children are confident swimmers. For younger kids or those less comfortable in the water, floatation devices can be a helpful safety tool. Encourage children to take breaks and stay hydrated, as swimming can be tiring.