If you’re lucky enough to have a pool at home here in New Zealand, you’ll know how good it is for cooling off in summer, entertaining the kids, or just having mates around for a barbie and a swim. But if you’re looking to mix things up a bit, adding a few fun pool games into the mix can take a regular swim to a whole new level. Plus, it’s a great way to get everyone off their phones and into some good old-fashioned fun.

Let’s cut to the chase – you don’t have to spend a ton, and you don’t need a flash setup either. Most of these pool games only need things you probably already have – or you can grab them at places like Bunnings, The Warehouse, or even Mighty Ape if you want to shop online.

Cannonball Contests

Right, let’s start with a classic. It’s simple, it’s messy, and it’s a hit with kids and adults – the cannonball contest. Line everyone up, take turns jumping in, and let someone be the judge for the biggest splash. Chuck on a loud countdown for extra fun. You could even use a beach ball as the ‘target’ – land near it and get bonus points.

Marco Polo

Now this one’s stood the test of time. It’s basically hide and seek, but in the pool. One person closes their eyes and calls out “Marco,” while the others swim around and reply “Polo.” If the person with the closed eyes tags someone, that person takes over. Just remind the kids to be a bit careful if your pool’s got steps – maybe stick to the deeper end for this one.

Pool Noodle Jousting

Grab two pool noodles and floaties, and you’ve got a mini joust arena. Two people sit on float rings and try to knock each other off with the noodles. It’s hilarious to watch – kind of like backyard wrestling but in the water. You can pick up foam noodles during summer season at Rebel Sport or Kmart for cheap.

Underwater Treasure Hunt

This one’s great for younger swimmers. Just toss a bunch of sinkable toys into the water and have everyone race to collect them. You can use coins, dive sticks, or even pebbles you’ve marked with a vivid. Places like Swimtastic or Para Rubber stock budget-friendly pool toys if you want something more playful or colourful.

Basketball or Volleyball in the Pool

If you’ve got a bit more room, investing in a floating basketball hoop or volleyball net can be worth it. It’s like backyard sports, just with more splashing and fewer scraped knees. Torpedo7 and Noel Leeming have some good options online, and they usually have sales toward the end of summer. Bonus tip – deflate it after the season and stash it in the garage to keep mould and mildew out.

Sharks and Minnows

Here’s one the kids will beg to play over and over. One “shark” stands in the middle of the pool, and the “minnows” try to swim from one side to the other without getting tagged. Once you’re tagged, you join the shark team. It’s kind of like a watery version of tag and perfect for building confidence swimming with a bit of excitement.

Ping-Pong Scramble

Get a bunch of ping pong balls – write numbers or letters on them – and scatter them in the pool. Then shout out numbers or make simple word challenges for the kids to find. It’s a sneaky way to keep young ones thinking while they splash around. Just watch out if it’s windy – the balls float all over the show.

Keep-It-Up Challenge

You know that old game where you try to keep a balloon up in the air? Same deal here but with a beach ball. Split into teams and see who can keep it airborne the longest. The water makes it more fun because the ball moves slower, and everyone ends up laughing when someone tries a cool dive to save it.

Oh, and if you want to make things last longer into the evening, consider chucking in a few floating pool lights or glow sticks. Mitre 10 has waterproof garden lights that can be adapted pretty easily for pool use, and they make the place look awesome once the sun’s gone down.

So, whether it’s a birthday bash or just a lazy Saturday arvo, throw a few of these ideas in the mix and you’ll turn your home pool into the place to be. The trick is making the games simple enough to jump into without too many rules – just like how Kiwi summer fun should be.