The best thing about having a pool is the variety of games you can play in it. And what better way to beat the summer heat other than taking a dip in the pool. With a few friends and just the right games, you may not even need to swim to have some fun in the pool. Pool games will help you burn those extra calories in a fun and engaging way. I love pool games, and between my high school sleepovers and my lazy adult days, I have played quite a share of them.  I am a sucker for pool parties and I have tried several of these in my own parties and I can say, they were a hit.Here are my seven best pool games.

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Pool Lounge Beer Pong with Social Inflating

Having a pool in your backyard gives you the freedom to have as many pool parties as you wish. Pool parties are supposed to be fun-filled with lots of games and drinks. Go pong brings these two together to form the ultimate addition to your pool party. Ditch your classic way of playing beer pong and have some fun in the pool.

Go Pong’s Pool Lounge beer Pong is sidelined with cup holders and three pong balls. On either side, there is a full ten-cup beer pong set up. Although the package does not include the cups, standard sized solo cups should work just fine. For a little more stability, the beer pong table has on each corner, a grommet so you can anchor the raft, or tie it to a fixed point.

The pool lounge can be used for social floating if beer pong is just not your thing. Just grab a couple of friends, place your drinks on the eight cupholders and catch up on the latest while floating around the table. If you ever are lucky to have the pool lounge all to yourself, fill it up and enjoy a light tan while floating with instant access to all the eight cupholders. You can even use the cupholders for your phone, sun lotion and just about anything you would want.

Pros

• It is made of sturdy vinyl that can withstand just about any party abuse. (Beer pong can get aggressive the more the players drink)
• The pool lounge keeps the cups high enough out of the water.
• You only have to fill one air hole, unlike similar products.
• You can flip it and use the pool lounge as a float.

Cons

• The table has some air leaks and may not stay inflated for a long time (more than 3 hours)

How to use it

If you love parties, then beer pong shouldn’t be something new to you. Inflate the table and set it up in the pool. With all the cups in place fill the ten cups on each side with alcohol (you can use any drink, but where’s the fun in that?) and divide the party into two groups. Have each group stand at their side and try to shoot ping pong balls into their opponents cups. Should the ball land inside the cup, the other team takes the beer in that cup, and it is removed. The first group to eliminate their opponents’ cups is declared the winner.

The Pool Lounge Beer Pong table is a great way to let the adults cool off some steam. Add this to your pool games at your next party and watch it become a hit.

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Starlight Swimming games- the glow-in-the-dark outdoor game kit

Who says you can only enjoy some pool fun during the day? Pool games can be even more interesting at night and these glow in the dark starlight swimming games ensures you can still enjoy the pool at night. Summer nights can be especially too hot to stay indoors, and this is a perfect way to light up the pool and have some fun.

This outdoor game kit comes with several LED lights and is easy to set up. You only have to twist each light on, throw it in the pool and you are good to go. The button underneath allows for different light settings. The lights may be submerged to about 20 feet underwater, and if cared for properly, the batteries can last to up to 48 hours.

Features

• Six Border Lights (three blue and three green)
• Six Glow Bracelets (three blue and three green)
• Four Dive Diamonds (two blue and two green)
• Two Floating Flowers (one blue and one green)
• One Guidebook (with instructions for ten different pool games)
• All batteries required (which last 24-48 hours)

The glow-in-the-dark outdoor game kit allows you to play ten pool games and is a great way to get your kids off the internet and all the technology for some nighttime outdoor fun. It also comes with an easy to understand guidebook.

Pros

• With the different games you could play, you can’t quickly get bored.
• The lights are waterproof and very safe for your underwater fun.
• The glow-in-the-dark outdoor kit uses standard batteries and are easy to replace
• This game can accommodate many people making it one of the best pool games

How to Play

You can enjoy time with your family and friends playing ten different games.

• Sharks and Minnows- a simple tag game. Have someone be the shark and everyone else be the minnows. The shark shouts, “Fishy, fishy, come out and play” and the minnows move (or swim) towards them. Whenever the shark yells “attack,” the minnows have to move away as the shark tries to tag them. Whoever is tagged also becomes a shark.
• Treasure Hunters- a competitive and straightforward game. Just have some ‘treasure’ in the pool and have the players collect it. You can improvise the treasure with anything from coins to balls. Caution: If playing with children, ensure they know how to swim or better yet, stick to the shallow end of the pool.
• Frogs on the Lilly Pad – this game is great for kids who can’t or don’t like to swim. Have a lily pad floating in the pool and toss the frogs onto the pads to earn points.
• Popsicle- set apart a playing area in the pool where everyone can stand with their head above the water. Have one player be it and tries to tag the others. When a player is tagged, they have to stand with their hands raised like a popsicle until they are thawed out by another player swimming between their legs. Have the ‘it’ changed after a couple of minutes.
• Human Whirlpool- works best with a large crowd. Have everyone in the pool at a shallow area. It is best to ensure they are all good swimmers. Get them to walk in a large circle in the same direction. Increase the pace progressively. Once enough momentum is created, everyone has to pick their feet up and float.
• Zombies & Doctors
• Flower Push Relay
• Whales vs. Sharks
• What Time is it, Dr. Shark?
• Rush to Power

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Swimline Giant Shootball Inflatable Pool Toy

Basketball is a favorite sport among many and Swimline has made it possible for you to enjoy it while in the pool. You don’t even have to play professional basketball with all the rules. Just try to make some baskets, and of course, the team, or player with most baskets wins.

The Giant Shootball is inflatable and comes with multiple ports for multiple shooters. With every purchase, you also get one ball. Tip: To have some extra ones, buy a bunch of regular and small beach balls

The giant shootball is made of heavy gauge vinyl and has some great basketball action.

Pros

• It is sturdy and can withstand fierce basketball games.
• The shootball is well-built which makes it quite durable
• It can be used to play in a shallow lake- You don’t have to use this in the pool only. Deflate it and bring it with your to your summer cottage in the woods.
• Kids can even use it as a mega-float holding around 5-6 kids at a time.

Cons

• Deflating the shootball is tedious- the air valves are small, and therefore air seeps out very slowly when the ports are unplugged.
• The shootball is big and may not work for you if you have a small pool.

How to play it.

To enjoy this game, all you have to do is fill it up with air. You can use an air pump or an air compressor. With multiple players, have each one of you throw the ball through the hoop to make a basket. Make the game even more competitive by playing in teams. The shootball does not come with an anchor system. Just use a rope to tie it to a weight to prevent it from moving about with the breeze.

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Ring Toss Inflatable Pool Game

Having some fun in the pool doesn’t have to cost much. This pocket-friendly game from Jet Creations Inc. is a beautiful bird and game all wrapped in one. The flamingo head can be placed just about anywhere: in the pool, on a table, on the ground and even on someone’s head! It is the perfect game for some laughter

Ring Toss comes with three different sized rings with colours and numbers for you to have some competitive fun. The material, although thin, is still sturdy enough for endless hours of play.

Pros

• It is small and easy to carry about
• You can have some fun with it outside the pool. Just place it on a table, the ground or better yet on someone’s head and have them run around.
• It is pocket-friendly and quite affordable

Cons

• Rings keep deflating and if playing for hours, you will have to keep inflating the rings as they do not hold air for long.

How to play it

The flamingo head can be placed on just about any surface. The game aims to toss in the rings around the flamingo’s neck. For sheer fun, I would recommend having one player wear the flamingo head as a hat. The player then swims about in the pool as others attempt to toss the rings. Even if you are not among the players, watching your friends goof around with this game will leave you in stitches.

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Intex Inflat-a-Bull, Inflatable Pool Toy

Bull riding is so much fun. Just mounting that bull and have it toss you up and down brings about an exciting thrill. Now imagine having as much fun while in the pool. Go ahead and get brave with this exciting game from Intex. Inflat-a-bull is a fun-filled game that is great for the pool, lake or even river. Compete with friends and family as you try to remain mounted on the bull. You will have some challenging wet fun with this.

The game is designed with photo-realistic printing technology and looks like the actual thing.

The bull is made of very sturdy material and can withstand a lot of pressure. The horns on the bull make it easy for you to hold onto it. That is if you can get on top of it. It is quite slippery making it hard to get on it, but that’s the whole point, right? While children have a relatively easy time mounting, adults may have to dive onto it from outside the pool. It is funny watching everyone slip and fall into the pool instead.

Tip: Try using a hair dryer in the absence of an air pump. It takes time but gets the work done eventually

Pros

• It is perfect for all ages- anyone, kids and adults alike, can have fun riding the bull
• Kids can use it as a float- just like the giant shootball, the inflat-a-bull is an excellent float for non-swimmers.

Cons

• It has a weight limit of 340 lbs
• The package does not include the inflation tip/ pump. Inflating the bull may, therefore, be difficult.

How to play it.

The first challenge of this game is to mount the bull. The back of the bull is quite slippery making it difficult, but that’s where the fun lies. When (and if) you successfully manage to mount it, have some friends rock the bull and hold on to the horns for support. Staying mounted is yet another challenge.You may want to time how much time each rider remains on the bull. The rider who stays longest without slipping into the pool wins. When we used this at a neighbour’s barbeque, most adults couldn’t stay mounted for long than a few seconds!

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Airhead Lob The Blob Inflatable Game

Airhead  Lob the Blob inflatable game gives you the chance to bring the classic cornhole game into the water. Have some fun with your friends as you test your skill and luck at sinking the Blobs in the ten-inch hole. Lob the blob comes with four green blobs, four blue blobs, and one target. Landing the blobs into the hole is not as easy as you think and that just adds into the fun and competitiveness.

Constructed of heavy gauge PVC with the Speed Safety Valve, Lob the Blob is fast and easy to inflate and deflate.

Pros

• You can easily take it with you wherever you want
• It comes with grommets on all four corners for easy tethering.
• You don’t have to use it only in the pool. Tether it to the ground in your backyard and have just as much fun.

How to play it.

Fill the blobs with water and have the players take turns throwing them at the ten-inch hole in the far end. You could have them stand outside the pool or in the pool across the platform. The winner is the first one to reach or exceed 21 points. Should the blob land in the hole, the player earns 3 points while a landing on the platform earns only one point. Cheat tip: Deflate the blobs a little to make it easier for you to land them on the board.

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Aqua Golf Backyard Game

While having some friends over for a pool party, it may at times be challenging to get the men into the pool. Lure them in with this classic game from Blue Wave. Who says you can’t play golf in the pool?  This game allows you to work on your swing while at the same time having some fun in the pool.  Aqua Golf Backyard game is a miniature edition of golf that comes with some floating green, 2 cups and flags and 12 hook and loop practice golf balls. A  golf club is not included, and you can use any club except the putter. Using a rip driver might be a little difficult but get a rubber tee so that it stays up. Don’t worry about retrieving the golf balls from the pool as they are made to float.

Cons

Although this game is fun, it doesn’t hold up for much longer than one use.

• The green is just some foam and turf glued on, and after a few hours of play, water creeps into the floating green island.
• The Velcro doesn’t stay long on the balls after getting water on them.

How to play it

The practice balls come in two different colours for competitive play. So, grab a friend and have a round of golf in your swimming pool. With the 12 hook and loop golf balls, you can chip onto the floating island green. Tee up your shot on the chipping mat and aim for one of the two flags and cups on the floating island green.

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These games are a perfect way to kill the heat and have some fun especially during the idyllic summer days and nights. Ensure that all players are good swimmers especially for games that involve some swimming. If kids are not around, toss in a couple of drinks and have some fun. Grab these games and enjoy some quality wet time spent with family and friends.

My personal pick for the best pool game on this list is the Starlight Swimming Games – glow-in-the-dark outdoor game kit. Not only does it light up the pool beautifully at night, but also the variety of games you can play is a bonus. Though I would recommend all of these games, this has to be my number one pick! If you are the market for a new pool here is a great article to cover all of your questions.

Last update on 2022-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API