Swimming pools have long been the centre of entertainment, especially on holiday. While pool toys and accessories can make pool time even more fun, there are plenty of pool games without toys that you and your family can enjoy. You’ll find there's a unique charm in engaging in games that require nothing more than enthusiastic participants and a splash of creativity. We’ve scoured the internet and recalled games we played as children to put together this post that contains lots of ideas for pool games without toys.
Pool Games Without Toys
That way, you can play all day without any special equipment. This is ideal for those going on holiday and travelling light, but still ensuring endless fun for swimmers of all ages.
Marco Polo
You’ll find this is a quintessential pool game. Marco Polo is akin to aquatic tag. One player, designated as "It," closes their eyes and calls out "Marco," to which the other players respond with "Polo." Relying solely on sound, "It" attempts to tag the others. The first person tagged becomes the new "It," and the game continues. We loved this one as children, and this classic game not only hones listening skills but also adds an element of suspense and excitement to pool time.
Sharks and Minnows
Have you ever heard of this one before? This game offers a delightful blend of strategy and agility. One player assumes the role of the "shark," starting in the middle of the pool, while the rest are "minnows" at one end. The objective for the minnows is to swim to the opposite side without being tagged by the shark. It works well in most-sized pools. Those caught become sharks in subsequent rounds, intensifying the challenge. The last minnow standing is declared the winner.
Popsicle
This one is a good one for playing on holiday. A refreshing twist on freeze tag, Popsicle involves one player as "It," who chases others to tag them. Once tagged, a player must stand frozen with hands above their head, resembling a popsicle. They can be unfrozen if another player swims between their legs. The game continues until all are frozen or the "It" player is exhausted. Why not get the whole holiday ensemble involved?
Whirlpool
You’ll find that this collaborative game showcases the power of collective effort. Those playing this fun game form a circle in the pool, all facing the same direction. They begin walking, then jogging, and eventually swimming in unison, creating a whirlpool effect. Once a strong current forms, players can lift their feet and let the water carry them. It's a fantastic way to demonstrate physical principles while having a great time. It’s best played with those you know and when you have a pool to yourself to avoid upsetting other swimmers.
Underwater Tea Party
We think this one is ideal for younger kids. This imaginative game involves participants sitting at the bottom of the pool, pretending to have a tea party. They can mimic pouring tea, stirring cups, and engaging in conversation—all while holding their breath. It's a fun way to build breath control and encourage imaginative play. Your little ones will love giving this one a go.
Submarine Races
If you’ve got competitive members in your holiday party, this is perfect as it is a test of underwater endurance. Players compete to see who can swim the farthest distance underwater without surfacing for air. It's a simple game that challenges lung capacity and swimming efficiency, making it both fun and beneficial for building swimming skills.
Cannonball Competition
You’ll know this one as it’s a classic poolside activity. Those taking part in a cannonball competition take turns jumping into the pool, attempting to create the biggest splash. Those not playing can be the judges. Judges can rate the splashes based on size, style, and creativity. It's a lighthearted game that brings out the playful side in everyone.
Chicken Fight
This game requires teamwork and balance. You can play it with kids and adults or just adult teams. Players form pairs, with one sitting on the shoulders of the other. The objective is to knock opposing teams into the water without falling in themselves. It's a game that combines strategy, strength, and lots of laughter.
Handstand Contest
One of the best ones that we played when we were in a pool. You won’t disturb other swimmers, and it’s so much fun. You can showcase your underwater acrobatics by performing handstands in the shallow end of the pool. The goal is to maintain the pose for as long as possible. This simple game is a fun way to improve balance and control in the water.
Red Light, Green Light
You’ll know this one, but our version has been adapted for the pool. One player stands at the edge of the pool with their back turned, acting as the "traffic light." When they shout "green light," swimmers move towards them; at "red light," they must stop. If the traffic light catches someone moving during a red light, that player returns to the starting point. The first to reach and tag the traffic light becomes the next caller. It’s so much harder when water is involved.
Invisible Bottle
This game challenges players' observation skills. Fill a clear plastic bottle with pool water and remove any labels. Toss it into the pool and have players search for it. The bottle's camouflage makes it surprisingly difficult to spot, providing an engaging and competitive activity. We know this technically does involve a piece of equipment, but it’s not something you couldn’t easily get hold of whilst at the pool.
Freeze Tag
This is very similar to the popsicle above, but you can freeze without holding your hands in the air. One player is "It" and tries to tag others. Once tagged, a player must stand frozen until another untagged player swims underwater between their legs to unfreeze them. The game continues until all players are frozen or the "It" player is exhausted.
Treasure Dive
You’ll know this one as we have all dived for treasure. While traditionally played with objects, a no-equipment version involves an imaginary treasure. The game leader announces an object (like a “gold coin” or “pearl”) that players must retrieve from the bottom of the pool. The first player to surface and describe the item in detail wins the round. This is a fantastic way to build underwater swimming confidence while sparking creativity.
Dolphin Races
Who doesn’t want to be a dolphin? The players must imitate dolphins by swimming underwater as far as they can in a single breath. The game aims to reach the opposite side of the pool or beat others in distance. We love this one as it’s a fun way to encourage breath control and efficiency in swimming.
Mr. Shark, What Time Is It?
Does this one sound familiar? One player, “Mr. Shark,” stands at one end of the pool while the rest of the players line up at the opposite side. They ask, “Mr. Shark, what time is it?” Mr. Shark responds with a number (e.g., “It’s 3 o’clock”), and the players take that many steps forward in the water. When Mr. Shark yells, “Dinner time!” he chases them. The first player who is caught becomes the next shark. Yep, I bet this definitely sounds familiar. It’s so much more fun in the pool.
Obstacle Course
You can easily do this one by only using the water and designated “checkpoints” (like touching the edge of the pool, swimming to the deep end, or doing a flip turn). Players race through a challenging course. We think it’s a great way to get creative and incorporate different swimming skills into play.
Relay Races
Divide players into two or more teams. Each team member must complete a task, like swimming across the pool and back, before tagging the next player. The first team to have all players finish wins. You can mix the game up by having different ways of doing the races. Why not include swimming backward, treading water while passing an imaginary object, or only using one arm?
Water Polo (No Ball Edition)
A game similar to water polo but without equipment. Players can use an imaginary ball and call out passes before attempting to “score” by touching the edge of the pool. This version fosters teamwork and creativity. It might sound a bit strange, but believe us, it’s actually a lot of fun to play.
Last Person Floating
We did this all the time at the pool when we were kids. It's one of the greatest pool games without toys. Players float on their backs for as long as they can without touching the pool bottom or moving their limbs. The last person still floating wins. This is an excellent way to practice relaxation and breath control. How long do you think you can go?
Bottom of the Pool Challenge
You’ll find this game quite addictive when you start. All the players take a deep breath, sink to the bottom of the pool, and try to sit cross-legged for as long as possible before floating back up. The one who stays the longest wins. This fun challenge helps with breath control and underwater confidence. It’s also highly competitive, and you’ll be playing this all holiday long.
Follow the Leader
Start this one with a designated leader. That leader swims in different styles, such as dolphin kicks, backstrokes, or somersaults. The rest of the players must mimic the leader’s movements. It’s a great way to mix fun with skill-building.
Shadow Tag
You’ll find that this is a variation of tag, but this version is played in the shallow end where the “It” player tries to step on or touch the moving shadows of other players. This game is best played when the sun is out, making it a fantastic way to add an unexpected twist to pool tag. Different times of the day will result in longer or shorter shadows, so it will become easier or harder. Try it out during the day, at various points and see how much fun it can be.
Swim Instructor Challenge
Inspired by Bluey, players take turns pretending to be a swim instructor, giving fun or silly swim drills to their friends. This encourages creativity and helps younger swimmers gain confidence by pretending to lead a class. If your little ones are Bluey fans, they’ll love playing along and taking turns being the instructor.
Pool Basketball Without a Hoop
Players form two teams and pass an imaginary basketball while attempting to "score" by touching the back wall of the pool. This game builds hand-eye coordination and teamwork. It might be a little crazy to watch, but you’ll have fun actually playing it.
Opposing Team Tug-of-War
This one can be played again and again. Players stand on opposite sides of the pool and push against the water to see which side moves forward first. This creative game is great for teamwork and physical activity.
Water Volleyball (Invisible Ball)
No ball, no problem. This one is similar to water volleyball, but instead of an actual ball, players must call out their hits and “pass” an imaginary ball. This game challenges teamwork and imagination.
The Floating Log
This one is hilarious to watch. Those taking part must lie in the water and try to roll over without using their arms. The first to complete a full rotation wins. It’s a fun challenge that improves balance and core strength.
Classic Pool Party Game: Who Can Stay the Stillest?
Another classic which, when done in the water, can be a lot of fun. The goal is to stay completely motionless in the water, whether floating or standing. The first person to move is out, making this a great way to build patience and self-control.
Musical Statues
Not requiring any equipment apart from a phone which can play music – which I am sure you’ll have on holiday. This is exactly like the classic party game. Each person dances in the water whilst the music is playing and then has to freeze when the music stops. Believe us, this is actually a lot harder to play than the traditional version. The movement of the water from the dancers makes it so tricky to stop when the music does.
Why Play Pool Games Without Toys?
You’ll find that while inflatable pool floats, beach balls, and pool toys can be fun, sometimes the best swimming pool games require nothing but creativity and movement.
For those playing, the games that don’t use equipment or props encourage swimmers to focus on their abilities, making them more comfortable in the water. It’s perfect for getting those who aren’t that confident in a pool, in to have a bot of fun with everyone else. These games are excellent for all ages, from little kids to older kids and even adults.
The Power of Play in Swimming
Did you know that fun pool games aren’t just about entertainment—they help develop important skills such as breath control, endurance, teamwork, and hand-eye coordination? Many of these activities, like Marco Polo and relay races, also improve swimming techniques in a fun, stress-free environment. If you are swimming with kids at the local pool or taking your family or friends away on holiday where there will be a pool, you should definitely try out one or two of these fun games.
A Fantastic Way to Stay Active
Swimming is one of the best ways to stay in shape, and adding games into pool time turns exercise into an enjoyable activity. It really mixes up your time in the pool, and it stops you all just swimming length after length. Whether playing Shark Attack or Freeze Tag, pool games keep everyone moving and engaged.
Perfect for Last-Minute Pool Fun
If you don’t have pool toys or dive toys on hand, it’s no problem at all. You may not want to buy pool toys when you are at the pool, or you may not have room for them in your suitcase. You’ll find these games are ideal for a spontaneous swim session at a local pool, a swim school, or a holiday pool.
Next time you’re in the water, try these fun swimming pool games without toys and see how much more you enjoy your pool time. We think that whether you're diving to the bottom of the pool, racing to the finish line, or playing a creative game like Mr. Shark, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. So whether you are on holiday or just enjoying a weekend swim at the local pool with the kids, jump in, gather your platers, and enjoy the best swimming pool games without toys for some unforgettable pool fun!