A pool party in summer is the perfect way to cool off and have some fun in the sun. There are so many great games that can be played in the pool, from classic games like Marco Polo to new favorites like water basketball. These pool party games are ideal for kids, teens and adults. Here are just a few of the best games to play at a pool party to get your summer started off right.

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Fun Pool Party Games

Beach Ball Race

Each player has to push their beach ball from one end of the pool to the other. The catch is they can only use their nose!

Inflatable Beach Balls [3 Pack]Inflatable Beach Balls for Kids

Dive Race

Divide your guests into teams. Throw a selection of diving sticks and diving gems into the pool. One at a time, each player must dive in and retrieve an item from the bottom of the pool. The player must take that item back to their team and tag the next person.

The game continues until all of the diving sticks and gems have been collected. You could assign points to each color or each item and tally up the points at the end to get a winning team

Pool Obstacle Course

This is a great game because you can customize the course to suit all ages and abilities. Use pool floats, hula hoops, diving sticks or any other items as part of the course. You can make it long and complicated for the teenagers and adults or a simple short course for the younger players. 

Raft Relay

For this game you will need 2 pool floats or rafts. You can play this game with just 2 players or divide everyone into 2 teams and play as a relay. To start, the first person from each team will sit on their pool float/raft and race from one end of the pool to the other and back again. They will tag the next player who will climb onto the float and race to the end and back. Continue until everyone in one team has had a turn.

Summer Swimming Float for Summer Water PartiesUnicorn Inflatable Ride On Pool Toy Float

Pool Party Candy Dice Game

Looking for some fun pool party games that will keep the kids entertained? This candy dice game is perfect! It's simple to set up and can be played with any number of players. Plus, it's a great way to use up those leftover sweets from your party.

Find this Pool Party Candy Dice game in our shop or get it FREE below

Pool Party Scattergories

Summer is the perfect time for a pool party! And what better way to keep your guests entertained than with this fun printable game? Print out the pdf, gather some friends, and get ready to have a blast.

These printable games would be perfect if you print them out and then laminate them. That way you can play on the pool side and it doesn't matter if they get splashed.

Pool Party Games for Kids

Most kids love pool parties. What better way to celebrate a birthday or any Summer event than with a pool party with your friends. One of the best things about hosting a pool party is that the pool is the main attraction so you don’t have to worry too much about other entertainment.

Just have a few fun pool games to play and the kids will be having so much fun it will be hard to get them out! Here is a selection of our favorite pool party activities and games for kids.

Rubber Duck Race

The object of this game is to get your rubber duck from one end of the pool to the other. You can not touch your rubber duck so have to move it by making waves and splashing.

Find your Color

For this simple game split your party guests into teams. Throw colored balls into the pool and assign a color to each team. Set a timer and see which team can collect all their colored balls in the time allowed.

Beach Ball Race

Give each player a beach ball and a water gun. Players must sit on the side of the pool and try to get their beach ball to the other side using only the water from their water guns. First person's beach ball to touch the other side of the pool is the winner.

Pool Party Games for Teenagers 

Whether you’re hosting a pool party for your teenager’s birthday or just want to have some fun on a hot summer day, these pool party games are sure to please your teens. 

Inflatable Pool Toys Fight 

This is a hilarious pool party game that is perfect for teenagers. To play, you will need to inflate some pool toys – we recommend using beach balls or inflatable rafts. The object of the game is to touch the other players with your inflatable pool toy which means they are out of the game. The last person standing is the winner!

Water Basketball

Water Basketball is a great game for older kids, teens and adults. To play, you will need a basketball and two baskets that can be placed at either end of the pool. The object of the game is to score points by shooting the ball into the other team’s basket.

Swimming Pool Inflatable Basketball Hoop

Noodle Jousting

This is a fun pool party game that is perfect for teenagers. To play, you will need some pool noodles. Each player must try to float on a pool noodle and try to knock each other using another pool noodle. Whoever stays on their pool noodle longest is the winner. You can also buy pool jousting float sets that are fun in the pool.

Battle Log Rafts Pool GameSwimline Hotdog Battle Pool FloatPool Noodles - Foam Pool Noodles

Watermelon Pool Games

There are two watermelon games here: The first game you will need a greased watermelon. You can use vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to coat the watermelon. Teams line up at each end of the pool and the watermelon is placed in the middle. The object of the game is to get the watermelon to the opposite end of the pool. You can push, carry or kick the slippery watermelon. Each team must try to stop the opposing team from reaching the end.

The second watermelon game is using an inflatable watermelon ball and play a game of watermelon volleyball which requires two teams and a net. The aim of the games is to score points by getting the ball over the net and into the other team’s half of the pool.

Watermelon Inflatable BallInflatable Volleyball Net

Pool Party Swimming Games.

You do not need any props to play these fun swimming games which makes them perfect for some last minute games for your pool party.

Swimming Relay Races

This is a great game for kids of all ages and can be played with as many players as you have. You will need to divide the group into teams and each team lines up at one end of the pool. The first person in each team swims to the other side, touches the wall, and then swims back to tag the next person in their team. The first team to finish wins!

Swimming Simon Says

This is a fun twist on the classic game of Simon Says. To play, one person is chosen to be Simon and the other players are lined up at one end of the pool. Simon will give a command such as “swim to the other side” or “touch the bottom of the pool” and the players must do what Simon says. If a player does not do what Simon says, they are out of the game. The last person standing is the winner!

Marco Polo

This is a classic pool party game that is perfect for all ages. To play, one person is chosen to be Marco and the other players are spread out around the pool. Marco closes their eyes and counts to 20 while the other players swim around the pool. When Marco is done counting, they shout “Marco!” and then try to find the other players. The player who is caught first is the next Marco.

Handstand competition  

This is a fun pool party game for kids who love to show off their skills. To play, the players line up at one end of the pool and when the referee says “go”, they must swim to the other side of the pool and do a handstand. The first person to reach the other side and do a handstand is the winner!

Freeze Tag

This is a classic game that can be played with as many people as you have. The object of the game is to tag other players so they must freeze in place. It is best to play this game in the shallow end of the pool so everyone can touch the bottom. To play, one or two people are 'it'  and they must swim around tagging people. If you are tagged you must freeze in place. To unfreeze, someone must swim through your legs. You can not be tagged while you are under the water. After a few minutes change the taggers and continue playing.

Sharks and Minnows

This is another classic pool game. To start, you will need one person to be the shark and the rest of the players will be minnows. The shark starts in the middle of the pool while the minnows line up at one end. When the game starts, the minnows must swim to the other side of the pool without getting caught by the shark. If a minnow is caught, they become a shark for the next round. The game is over when all of the minnows have made it to the other side or when there is only one minnow left.

Whirlpool

Again another classic pool game that I am sure everyone has played at some point. Everyone lines up single file around the edge of the pool and starts walking in the same direction. Then they can start jogging and running to make the whirlpool stronger. Eventually the current will pull everyone around the pool. Now comes the hard part, get everyone to turn around and make a new whirlpool in the opposite direction!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE POOL PARTY CANDY DICE GAME

Pool Party Games for Adults

Glow in the dark tic tac toe inflatable rack is the perfect game for summer parties, BBQs, picnics and family gatherings. You can play this game with your friends or family members as well.

Glowing Tic Tac Toe Pool Party Rack

Looking for a fun way to cool down this summer? How about playing some beer pong on the pool? With our Pool Lounge Beer Pong Inflatable, you can do just that! This floating beer pong table comes with built-in cup holders, so you can keep your drinks close by while you play. It's also made of durable vinyl, so it can handle whatever you throw at it. So grab a few friends and get ready to have some fun! (* drink responsibly)

Pool Lounge Beer Pong Inflatable Game

So, what are you waiting for? Pull out the pool toys and get ready to party! These games will keep your guests entertained all day long. Don’t forget the sunscreen, snacks, and drinks!

More Fun Party Games and ideas:

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