10 Thrilling Pool Party Games to Dive Into!

Looking to level up your teen’s pool party with games that are anything but boring? Forget the usual, predictable activities—these 10 fresh and original pool games are designed to keep the energy high and the fun flowing. From thrilling team challenges to creative water-based fun, these unique games will have everyone diving in for more!

Last Updated: October 16, 2024  |  10 min Read

Find detailed breakdowns for each game, including the benefits they offer, the intensity level of physical exertion, age appropriateness, suggested playtime, number of players, and the materials needed.

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1. Water Balloon Name Toss

Objective: Get to know others by remembering names while avoiding a balloon splash.

Setup: Fill several water balloons and gather players in a circle in the shallow end.

How to Play: Start by doing a round of names. Then one player begins by saying someone else’s name in the group and tossing them a water balloon. The person who catches it says another player’s name and tosses it to them.

If someone drops the balloon, bursts it or forgets a name, they must answer a fun “getting to know you” question (e.g., “What’s your favorite summer activity?”). Continue until everyone has had a turn, with balloons getting tossed faster as players get more comfortable.

2. Float and Pop

Objective: Complete as many challenges as possible by popping floating balloons and earning points for each task. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Setup: Fill balloons with papers containing tasks (trivia or dares). Assign point values: trivia (5 points) and dares (10 points). Let the balloons float in the pool just before the game starts.

How to Play: Players take turns swimming to a balloon, popping it, and completing the task assigned on the paper. If completed successfully, they earn the assigned points. If they fail, no points are awarded. Record points on a scoreboard. Once all balloons are popped, tally the points. The highest score wins.

Examples to get you started:

Trivia (5 points):

• What is the largest ocean in the world? Pacific Ocean
• What is the chemical formula for water? H₂O
• Who is the Greek god of the sea? Poseidon
• What color is chlorinated pool water typically? Blue
• How many continents are there in the world? Seven

Dares (10 points):

• Swim across the pool doing a backward stroke.
• Do 10 jumping jacks while standing in the shallow end.
• Retrieve two pool toys from the bottom of the pool in one dive.
• Swim from one side of the pool to the other and back in under 20 seconds.
• Splash everyone in the pool without leaving your spot.

3. Pool Log Jousting

Objective: Be the last person remaining on the inflatable battle logs after knocking opponents off using skillful balance and strategic moves.

Setup: Prepare these inflatable ride on battle logs and inflatable jousting poles.

How to Play: Teams start on opposite sides of the pool. One player from each team plays at a time. Use jousting poles to knock opponent off logs. Players must stay seated; no standing or kneeling.

The player that is knocked off first is out and is replaced by a teammate. The team having all players knocked off loses the game. Do multiple rounds son that all players can participate.

4. Splash Tag

Objective: Avoid being tagged while trying to splash other players.

Setup: Designate a specific area of the pool as the playing zone. Choose one player to be “it.”

How to Play: The player who is “it” counts to ten while the others spread out within the playing zone. He/she then chases the others, attempting to tag them by touching them.

Players can splash water to distract or slow down the “it” player. Once tagged, players become “it” as well and join the chase. The game continues until everyone has been tagged.

5. Pool Dive Sequence

Objective: Retrieve sinking objects in the correct sequence to win the game.

Setup: Write numbers or letters on sets pebbles. Scatter them around the pool floor. You need a set of pebbles for each player or team.

How to Play: Players line up at the pool’s edge. The game leader calls out a specific sequence (e.g., numbers 1, 3, 5 or letters A, B, C).

Players must dive into the pool and collect the pebbles in the exact order called out. The first player or team to retrieve the objects in the correct sequence and bring them back to the surface wins the round.

Ask players to throw the retreived pebbles back into the pool after each round.

6. Hula Float Challenge

Objective: Balance on a float while trying to hula hoop.

Setup: Hula hoops and large pool floats.

How to Play: Players take turns balancing on a pool float while trying to hula hoop at the same time. Each player gets three tries to keep the hoop spinning for as long as possible. The player who keeps the hula hoop spinning the longest wins.

7. Float Fortress Siege

Objective: Attackers must dismantle or take over the “fortress” while defenders try to protect it.

Setup: Build a “fortress” in the middle of the pool by tying together large pool floats, noodles, and inflatable toys. Two teams: defenders and attackers. Defenders start by sitting on the floats.

How to Play: The attackers swim in the pool and use their hands and arms to knock defenders off the floats.

Attackers cannot climb onto the floats but can pull or push the defenders while in the water.

Defenders sit on the floats, using their balance and teamwork to prevent attackers from dislodging them. They can use their hands and feet to defend, but they must stay seated on the floats.

The teams switch roles when all defenders are knocked off by the attackers.

8. Splash Trivia Relay

Objective: Answer trivia questions correctly to avoid an extra swim challenge.

Setup: Prepare a list of fun trivia questions (pool, summer, or pop culture-themed).

How to Play: Divide players into two teams. On “Go” one player from each team swims to the other side of the pool, where the host asks them a trivia question.

The player who first answers correctly, swims back and tag the next teammate. The other player must complete a fun swim challenge (e.g., swim backward, hold a ball while swimming) as his or her returning to tag the next teammate.

The first team having all player finish the relay with correct answers wins!

9. Water Dash

Objective: Race to collect floating objects while swimming under obstacles.

Setup: Scatter various floating items (like rubber ducks or small toys) around the pool. Create obstacles using pool noodles or floats to block direct paths. Tie the obstacles to the edges of the pool for them to stay in place.

How to Play: Divide players into two teams. On “Go,” one player from each team races through the pool, swimming and diving under the obstacles, to collect a floating item.

Once they return, the next player goes. Players must follow the obstacle course and return with one item at a time. The first team to collect all their floating objects wins!

10. Splash Charades

Objective: Act out words or phrases while in the pool, without speaking, for the team to guess.

Setup: Create waterproof cards with actions, movies, or objects written on them (laminate or use waterproof paper). Place them at one end of the pool.

How to Play: Players take turns drawing a card and acting it out in the pool without using words. The rest of the group must guess what the player is miming. The player who guesses correctly gets the next turn. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

Final Thoughts About Pool Party Games

With these 10 exciting and unique pool games, your teen’s party is sure to be anything but ordinary. Easy to implement and packed with fun, these games will keep everyone engaged, laughing, and making lasting memories.

Say goodbye to the predictable pool activities and make a splash with fresh ideas that will leave your guests talking about the best pool party of the summer!