What to Do When It Rains on Vacation: 3 New Indoor Pool Games
If sunny skies don’t prevail on your vacation, these different pool games will keep your kids entertained—and keep your sanity intact
These easy games keep a rainy trip going swimmingly.
You’re on vacation! Yay! You have a whole week to while away the days at the beach or on the boardwalk and hit up every outdoor amusement park within the city limits … and then you wake up one morning to the steady patter of raindrops hitting your hotel window.
While you may not want to indulge in outdoor fun when it’s raining, water sports don’t have to be entirely off the table. Round up the family and play one of these different pool games, which will keep kids—and maybe even parents—engaged all afternoon. Or at least until the sun comes out again.
You’ll Need: A beach ball or any other lightweight ball and a vast knowledge of animal species (or just a really good imagination).
Players: At least two, though the more players there are, the more challenging the game becomes.
How to Play: The first player volleys the ball to the second player, calling out the name of an animal. The next player hits the ball back to that player—or to another person if there are more than two playing—and calls out the name of another animal. Play continues with each player calling out the name of an animal (no repeats!) as they volley the ball. If you can’t think of an animal or if you miss the ball, the other players splash you. Once all of the animal possibilities have been exhausted, try coming up with different categories, like TV show characters, movies or books.
You’ll Need: One clear, 2-liter bottle with a white cap.
Players: At least two, though the more competitors there are, the more fun the game will be.
How to Play: Remove the label from the bottle, then fill the bottle with pool water. Divide players into two teams and have them swim to opposite ends of the pool, lining up with their backs to the water. Have someone—either an adult or one of the players—toss the bottle into the water. When the players hear the splash, they turn around and try to find the bottle on the bottom of the pool. It’s easier said than done—the bottle becomes almost invisible when it’s in the water, making for a challenging game and one of the most fun things to do in the pool.
You’ll Need: Inflatable rafts and pool noodles
Players: You’ll need an even number so each kid has someone to joust with.
How to Play: Knights line up in the pool on their horses—in this case, their rafts—and arm themselves with pool noodles. The competitors float toward each other, trying to knock their opponent off their raft with the noodle. The knight who remains on their raft the longest wins!
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