Challenges and Games

The best fun and effective swimming lessons games and challenges.

Swimming Game – Challenge: Floating Duck Wave Race

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Name The game is called Floating Duck Wave Race. It’s a high-energy, competitive drill designed to turn a basic sensory lesson into a high-stakes “derby” at the pool. By using recognizable, collectible rubber ducks, you instantly lower the “fear factor” for younger swimmers and replace it with a focus on their “racer.” https://amzn.to/4tpI0kH Core Skill …

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Announcing Webapp Game: Cards Against Emergencies

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Cards Against Emergencies – Web Game https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/cards-against-emergencies-web-game/ Transform Your Staff Training: Introducing the “Cards Against Emergencies” Game We’ve all been there. It’s time for the monthly in-service training. You need to review first aid and rescue scenarios, but you can see it on your staff’s faces: the glazed-over eyes, the stifled yawns. How do you …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: The Great Gap Kick-Off!

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Name The Great Gap Kick-Off! Core Skill This game is designed to emphasize and develop a strong, continuous flutter kick for propulsion and horizontal movement, which is a fundamental building block for all competitive strokes. Who This challenge is specifically tailored for novice (Level 1 or Level 2) swimmers, focusing on building foundational aquatic skills …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Shark Breath Race

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Name Freestyle Breathing Drill: “Shark Breath Race” Core Skill The primary objective is to improve freestyle side-breathing technique while maintaining a consistent stroke and proper form. Who This game is suitable for all swimmers who have practiced basic freestyle breathing, from young beginners to intermediate swimmers. What The Shark Breath Race is an engaging drill …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Bubble Blaster Countdown

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Name: Bubble Blaster Countdown A playful and engaging swimming game designed to help young swimmers gain confidence submerging their faces and blowing bubbles underwater. This challenge is perfect for beginner swimmers who are learning to become comfortable with underwater activities while having fun. Core Skill The core skills taught in the Bubble Blaster Countdown are: …

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Swimming Game: Holiday Gift Giving

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Name Gift Giving Core Skill The core skill in this game is to encourage creativity and communication while enhancing swimming abilities through playful interaction with swim tools and toys. Who This game is appropriate for all levels and abilities, ranging from Level 1 beginners through to developmental swim teams. What Gift Giving is a fun …

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Swimming Game: Holiday Snow Plow

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Name: Snow Plow Core Skill The Snow Plow game focuses on developing and refining the swimmer’s kicking technique, body position in the water, and teamwork. This game emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong, steady kick and proper body alignment while managing to move objects through the water. It also fosters communication and cooperation among …

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Swimming Game – Magic Statue

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Name Magic Statue Core Skill This game is designed to help young swimmers practice maintaining their swimming poses and positions like streamline or position 11. It also encourages body control, spatial awareness, and fun role-playing. Who This game is perfect for Guppies and Level 1 swimmers. What Inspired by the Bluey episode where Bluey and …

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Swimming Game – Police and Baddies

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Name Police and Baddies Core Skill The core skill of “Police and Baddies” is to enhance swimmers’ confidence and proficiency in basic swimming techniques such as front and back glides, underwater submersion, and unsupported floats. This game also encourages imaginative play and teamwork. Who This game is suitable for swimmers in Guppies, Level 1, and …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Frozen Magic

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Name Frozen Magic Core Skill This swimming game focuses on front and back glides while incorporating the element of fun through imagination and role-play. It helps young swimmers practice staying in a streamlined position and maintaining body control in the water. Who This game is perfect for children aged 3-6 years who are at the …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Rock, Paper, Scissors, CHEER!

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Name Rock, Paper, Scissors, CHEER! Core Skill The core skill developed in this game is team bonding and camaraderie. This challenge serves as an icebreaker for new staff members or a fun activity to reinvigorate veteran staff. It encourages communication, enthusiasm, and team spirit among participants. Who This game is ideal for swimming instructors and …

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18 Challenges and Games for Going Underwater

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Going underwater is one of the essential swim skills. It is the foundation of all other activities; they all build off of a learner’s ability to go under. I recommend a loving, caring, trusting environment for learning to go underwater. Swimming Ideas classifies “Level 1” as the core place for learners ages 3+ to master …

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Swimming Game – Dancing Jumps

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Name Dancing Jumps Core Skill The core skill developed in this game is jumping entries with proper body positioning and control. Swimmers will practice maintaining specific poses in the air and during their water entry, improving balance, body awareness, and transition into swimming skills. Who This game is designed for level 2, level 3, level …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Flip Flop Flap

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Name Flip Flop Flap Core Skill This game helps swimmers develop balance and coordination while transitioning between front float and back float positions. It also introduces the concept of controlled movement in the water and promotes water confidence through dynamic activities. Who Suitable for swimmers of varying skill levels, from beginner to intermediate. Perfect for …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Macarena Position 11

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Name Macarena Position 11 One-liner Streamline then Position 11 across the pool;hile kicking in Position 11 rotate palms up and then down one hand at a time to the beat of the song “Macarena.” Core Skill The core skill developed in this game is maintaining Position 11 with hands stretched outwards at the surface or …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Noodle Scull

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Name Noodle Scull Core Skill The core skill being developed in this challenge is sculling. Swimmers will learn how to use their hands to push against the water to move. This helps them understand the feeling of water resistance and how their efforts translate into movement. Who This game is suitable for Level 1, Level …

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Swimming Game – Treasure Dive; variation on diving for toys

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Name Treasure Dive Core Skill This game focuses on building confidence and improving underwater swimming skills. Who Suitable for Level 1 and Level 2 swimmers who are comfortable submerging their heads underwater. What Participants will need a few small waterproof toys or objects to serve as “treasures.” These can be placed at the bottom of …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Kick on Side Helicopter Arm

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Name Kick on Side Helicopter Arm Core Skill This challenge focuses on improving the swimmer’s front crawl (freestyle) technique, particularly enhancing body rotation, arm movement, and kicking strength. Who This challenge is suitable for: What The “Kick on Side Helicopter Arm” challenge involves swimmers pushing off the wall in a streamlined position on their belly, …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Position 11 Cartwheel

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Name Position 11 Cartwheel Core Skill The core skills targeted in this challenge are Position 11, Streamline, and Flip Turns. These are essential for developing efficient swimming techniques and improving overall performance in the water. Who This challenge is designed for Level 3, Level 4, and Developmental swimmers. These swimmers have a foundational understanding of …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Hurdles and Limbos

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Name Hurdles and Limbos Core Skill The primary skill developed in this game is underwater comfort and breath control. Swimmers will practice going underwater and holding their breath, which is essential for building confidence in the water. Additionally, this game helps improve coordination and body control as swimmers navigate over and under obstacles. Who This …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Superman, Save Me!

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Name: Superman, Save Me! Core Skill The core skills targeted in this game are streamline, position 1, and position 1 breathing to the side. These skills are essential for developing efficient swimming techniques and improving overall water confidence. The game also encourages fun and engagement, making learning enjoyable for young swimmers. Who This game is …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Be a submarine

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Name: Challenge – Be a Submarine Core Skill: Buoyancy Control and Breath Control This game focuses on helping swimmers improve their buoyancy control and breath-holding skills. It also enhances their ability to maintain a stable position underwater while managing an additional challenge. Who: This game is suitable for swimmers of all ages who are comfortable …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Singing in the Rain

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#swimgame #challenge #level1 #guppies #goingunderwater Name Sing in the Rain Core Skill The core skill focused on in this challenge is water comfort. Swimmers will practice being comfortable with water on their face and head, which is essential for developing confidence in the water. Who This challenge is designed for Guppies and Level 1 swimmers. …

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Swimming Game: Secret Messages

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Name Secret Messages Core Skill The core skill of this game is going underwater and observation. It encourages participants to go underwater and open their eyes as players try to decipher the secret messages. Who This game is inclusive and can be played by anyone who can go underwater, including non-swimmers or weak swimmers. They …

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Swimming Game – Car Wash

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Name Car Wash Core Skill The core skill developed in Car Wash is water acclimation and breath control. It’s a gentle introduction to water on the face and the concept of submersion. Who This game is suitable for young children accompanied by an adult, perfect for parent-tot classes and Level 1 swimmers. What Car Wash …

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Swimming Game – Circle Circle and Under

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Name Circle Circle and Under Core Skill The core skill focused on in this game is swimming agility and comfort with submersion. It encourages children to practice quick movements in the water and become more comfortable with the idea of going under the water. Who This game is designed for children who are learning to …

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Swimming Game – Swim then Coach

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Name Swim then Coach Core Skill Peer Coaching and Technical Execution What This challenge is tailored for swimmers at levels 3, 4, and those in developmental swim teams, aiming to enhance their technical execution and peer coaching skills. How The process unfolds as follows: Difficulties Participants Might Face Participants may encounter challenges with memorizing the …

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Guppies: Playing games with toddlers

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Teaching swimming to toddlers can be a rewarding and challenging experience. Toddlers are curious, energetic, and eager to learn new skills, but they also have short attention spans, limited body control, and varying levels of confidence. As a swim instructor, you need to balance safety, fun, and learning in your classes. In this blog post, …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Guard Tube Raft

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Name Guard Tube Raft Core Skill This challenge aims to improve the swimmers’ balance, core strength, teamwork, and fun. Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers of any level who can sit on a lifeguard tube. It can be done with two or three swimmers per tube. What The swimmers are given a lifeguard tube …

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Swimming Game – Fill the Bucket, Empty the Bucket

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Name Fill the bucket, empty the bucket Core Skill This challenge aims to improve the swimmers’ streamline, arm strokes, back float, and coordination skills. Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers of Levels 1 to 4. It can be done in two separate lanes or in one lane with an even number of swimmers. What …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Giving Love; your favorite toy

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Name Giving Love Core Skill Sharing and swimming skills Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers who can swim at least 50 yards or meters with different toys, tools, or aids. What This challenge is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing your favorite swimming items with others and trying new ones. How …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Striking Love

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Name Striking Love Core Skill Throwing accuracy and swimming skills Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers who can throw objects over a distance and swim different strokes. What This challenge is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day by throwing “Cupid’s Arrows” into floating hula hoops and swimming to retrieve them. How Difficulties the …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Cupid’s Heart

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Name Cupid’s Heart Core Skill Cardiovascular endurance and social skills Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers who can swim at least 25 yards or meters without stopping and can find their pulse. What This challenge is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day by combining swimming, heart rate monitoring, and positive affirmations. How Difficulties …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Otter Eating

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Name Otter Eating Core Skill Back Float Who This challenge is suitable for 3 – 5 year-old swimmers who are in level 1 or 2. What The goal of this challenge is to have the swimmer float on their back while holding 2-3 floating toys on their belly without letting them float or splash away. …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Conquer Fear Dance

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Name The Wild and Goofy Dance Challenge Core Skill Confidence and creativity What This challenge is designed to test the participants’ ability to do something they have never done before, without fear or hesitation. It also encourages them to be creative and have fun. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Non-Verbal Directions

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Name Non-Verbal Directions Core Skill Non-Verbal Communication and Feedback What This is a challenge that tests the participants’ ability to communicate and give feedback without using words, as well as to follow non-verbal cues from others. How Difficulties participants might face How this challenge relates to swim instruction Beyond Words: The Power of Non-Verbal Feedback …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Leading the Blind with Commands

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Name Leading the Blind with Commands Core Skill Communication and Leadership What This is a challenge that tests the participants’ ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as to lead and guide others in a difficult situation. How Difficulties participants might face How this challenge relates to swim instruction

Instructor Training Challenge: Find Your Folk

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Name Find Your Folk Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ non-verbal communication and grouping skills. What The participants will quickly separate into three groups based on their personal characteristics without speaking. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might face are: How this challenge relates to swim instruction This challenge relates …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Name and Food Match

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Name Name and Food Match Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ memory and observation skills. What The participants will try to remember and match the names and food preferences of everyone at the training. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might face are: How this challenge relates to swim instruction …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Max Class Setup Pictures

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Name Max Class Setup Pictures Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ planning and organizing skills for setting up a pool for multiple classes. What The participants will draw a picture of how they would arrange the pool, the benches, and the toys for different levels of classes. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Random Skill Test

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Name Random Skill Test Core Skill This challenge tests the participants’ knowledge and demonstration of various swimming skills. What The participants will randomly select a swimming skill from the Teaching Swimming workbook and explain and show how to perform it. How Difficulties participants might face Some possible difficulties that participants might face are: How this …

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Instructor Training Challenge: Fast Performance

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Name Fast Performance Core Skill Communication and creativity What A game where one person (the Speaker) speaks as fast as possible to give instructions, feedback, and praise or criticism to another person (the Partner) who has to follow them physically. How Difficulties participants might face How this Challenge relates to swim instruction

Swimming Game – Challenge: Diving Ring Pickup Progression

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Name Diving Ring Pickup Progression Core Skill This challenge aims to improve the swimmers’ underwater skills, such as breath control, body position, buoyancy, and coordination. Who This challenge is suitable for intermediate to advanced swimmers who are comfortable with diving and staying underwater for a few seconds. What The swimmers must each have their own …

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Swimming Game – Magic Mirror

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Name Magic Mirror Core Skill This game can help swimmers practice their breath control, underwater vision, and body awareness. Who This game is suitable for swimmers who can submerge their heads comfortably and hold their breath for at least 10 seconds. It can be played with a minimum of two swimmers and a maximum of …

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How Swim Games and Challenges Enhance Our Swimming Lesson Plans

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At Swimming Ideas, we believe that learning how to swim should be fun, engaging, and effective. That’s why we have created a comprehensive collection of swimming lesson plans that cover all the essential skills and techniques for swimmers of all ages and levels. But our swimming lesson plans are not just about drills and exercises. …

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Swimming Game – Christmas Presents

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Name Christmas Presents Core Skill This game is designed to reinforce the basic skills of swimming, such as streamlining, breathing, kicking, and stroke technique. Who This game is suitable for developmental swim team swimmers who are at least level 4, meaning they can swim 25 yards of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and perform flip …

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Swimming Game – Reindeer Jump

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Name Reindeer Jumping Core Skill This game helps swimmers practice their fly stroke and explosive power. Fly stroke is one of the four competitive swimming strokes, also known as butterfly. It requires swimmers to move both arms simultaneously over the water, while using a dolphin kick to propel themselves forward. Explosive power is the ability …

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Swimming Game – Tic Toc Around the Clock

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Name Tick Toc Around the Clock Core Skill Freestyle arms recovery, where to enter the water, and where to initiate an arm pull. Who Level 3 swimmers who are learning front crawl arms independently. What A game that teaches swimmers how to do freestyle arms in the correct position with each recovery How ** Note: …

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Swimming Game – Do the Twist w/ Mirrors

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Name Do the Twist Core Skill Freestyle hip rotation Who Level 4 swimmers who can swim freestyle for at least 25 yards What A game that uses in-water mirrors to help swimmers practice and compare different ways of rotating their hips while swimming freestyle Want some in-water mirrors for your program? We use these: https://amzn.to/3MZYNXV …

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Swimming Game – 3 Thanksgiving Activities for Developmental Swimming Practice

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How to Make Your Swim Practice More Fun and Festive with Thanksgiving Games Are you ready for some festivities at practice? Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends, enjoy delicious food, and express gratitude for all the good things in life. But it can also be a time to spice up your …

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Swimming Game – Singing and Rolling

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Name Singing and Rolling Core Skill Gliding independently, Side breathing for front crawl Who Level 2 swimmers who can float and glide on their front and back with minimal support What A fun game that challenges swimmers to sing a song while gliding on their front and rolling their body or head to breathe How …

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Swimming Game – Mirror, Mirror, Pose

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Name Mirror Mirror Pose Core Skill This game helps swimmers to improve their streamline, stroke technique, and body awareness by using swim mirrors to observe their own movements in the water. Who This game is suitable for level 3 swimmers who have learned the basics of freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly, and can swim at least …

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Swimming Game – Halloween Practice with Coach Drake

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This series of games comes from Coach Drake and the Nazareth Easton YMCA. If they played these exciting games on Halloween then I think they must have had an exciting practice full of laughing memories and joyful learning. Keep up the great work Coach Drake and thank you for sharing your ideas and PDF for …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Witch Which Witch

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Name Witch Which Witch Core Skill This game helps swimmers practice their streamline position, balance, and coordination. Who This game is suitable for swimmers who can swim at least 25 meters without stopping and are comfortable in deep water. What This game is a swimming challenge where swimmers pretend to be witches flying on broomsticks. …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Halloween Costume Stroke

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Name Halloween Costume Stroke Core Skill Freestyle swimming with creativity and fun Who Level 3 and Level 4 swimmers who are familiar with the freestyle stroke and can swim at least half a length of the pool. What The challenge asks swimmers to identify what costume they’re going to wear for Halloween. Then, they must …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: One Stroke FREE w/ Mirror

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Name One stroke FREE mirror Core Skill Freestyle stroke technique Who Level 3 swimmers who can swim at least 25 yards of freestyle with proper breathing and body position. What A challenge that requires the swimmer to push off the wall in streamline, do one freestyle stroke over a mirror on the bottom of the …

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Swimming Game – Zoom around the moon

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Name Zoom Around the Moon Core Skill This game helps swimmers practice their back float, side-glide, front glide or position 1 glide skills in a fun and engaging way. Who This game is suitable for level 1 swimmers who are comfortable with being in the water and can follow simple instructions. The game requires one …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: One Finger Floating

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Name One Finger Floating Core Skill The core skill of this challenge is to develop the swimmer’s confidence and balance in the water, as well as to introduce the concept of buoyancy. Who This challenge is suitable for level 1 swimmers who are learning the basic skills of swimming, such as breathing, floating, and gliding. …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Puppet Master Freestyle

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Name Puppet Master Freestyle Core Skill Front crawl breathing Who Level 3 swimmers in small groups of 3-4 What A fun and challenging game that involves one dummy and the rest puppet masters in each lane. The puppet masters have to manipulate the dummy’s body to perform three full strokes of freestyle with one side …

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Why swimming games are a crucial component of a swim lesson

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Swimming is a great way to stay fit, have fun, and learn a valuable life skill. However, learning how to swim can also be challenging, boring, or even scary for some people. That’s why swimming games are a crucial component of a swim lesson. Swimming games can help participants get better at real swimming skills …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: One Breath Waltz

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Name One breath waltz Core Skill Side breathing for freestyle Who Level 3 swimmers who have mastered the basic freestyle stroke and want to improve their breathing technique and coordination. What A swimming challenge that involves doing a streamline underwater, then at the surface they should take one freestyle breath while leaving the other arm …

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Swimming Game – 6 Jumps from the blocks

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Name Jumping off the Blocks Core Skill This game helps swimmers practice their jumping or diving skills from the blocks, as well as their underwater swimming and wall exit. Who This game is suitable for swimmers on a developmental swim team or in level 4, who have some experience with jumping or diving from the …

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Swimming Game – Bench Crossing

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Name Bench Crossing Core Skill Independent front glides Who Level 2 swimmers who can float and glide on their front with minimal support What The swimmer must cross a short gap between two benches in different ways How Challenges Some possible challenges that a swim instructor might face are: Some possible solutions that a swim …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Backstroke Kick Count

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Name Backstroke Kick Count Challenge Core Skill Backstroke and kicking to the wall Who Level 3 swimmers who can swim at least 15 yards of backstroke with proper body position and arm movement What A personal challenge game where swimmers try to touch the wall on their back with the least number of kicks after …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: 25 Position 11 Freestyle

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Name 25 Position 11 Freestyle Challenge Core Skill Freestyle arms reaching to position 11 with every stroke Who Level 4 swimmers who can swim at least 25 yards of freestyle with proper breathing What A personal challenge game where swimmers try to swim a 25 with as few strokes of position 11 freestyle possible, which …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Stroke Switch

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Name The Stroke Switch Challenge Who Level 4 swimmers who can swim 50 meters of front or back crawl, and have some experience with breaststroke and butterfly. What A personal skill challenge that involves switching strokes. Swimmers must do at least 3 strokes of each of the 4 competitive strokes, Fly, Back, Breast, Free before …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Two Toe Tornado

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Play this challenge as a simple one off individually with a simple pass or fail or play it as a competitive race with points! Challenge: The challenge is called Two Toe Tornado and teaches how important using your full leg from hips to knees, to legs are in kicking and movement. You need a kickboard …

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Swimming Game – Flip a Coin Glides; AI generated

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Flip a Coin Glides It would make sense to have swimmers move from bench to bench moving in a Wave, or all at the same time. Make sure there is enough space between swimmers so that they don’t glide over each other. Some challenges a swim instructor might face when conducting the Flip a coin …

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Swimming Game – Bubble Pop; AI generated

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Name: Bubble PopObjective: To teach toddlers how to blow bubbles in the water and control their breath.Materials: A pool noodle or a long inflatable toy.Instructions: Benefits: Source: Conversation with Bing, 8/29/2023(1) 5 fun and easy games that teach your kids how to swim. https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/teach-kids-swimming-with-five-fun-and-easy-games/.(2) Learn to Swim games | Videos & descriptions | Games to …

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Swimming Game – Toy Toss

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Category: Swimming Games for Toddlers Core Skill: Going Underwater Name: Toy Toss How: This game is simple but fun. You need a toy that floats in water, such as a rubber duck or a plastic ring. You can use any toy that your child likes, as long as it is safe and easy to see. …

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Swimming Game – Dumpy in the Dingas!

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Category: Going underwater fun Core Skill: Playing, going underwater Name: Dumpy in the Dingas How: Do you want to make your toddler’s swimming lessons more fun and engaging? Do you want to help them overcome their fear of going underwater and learn to enjoy the water? If so, you might want to try this new …

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Swimming Game – Mirror Me

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Category: Personal Challenge Core Skill: Any swimming skill or activity Name: Mirror Me How: I would describe the Mirror Game for swimming to a swim instructor like this: The Mirror Game is a fun and easy game that can help swimmers practice their coordination, balance, and imitation skills. It can also encourage creativity and social …

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Swimming Game – Spray Dance Streamline

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Category: Group activity, physical movements Core Skill: Learning swim terminology, practicing on land, following directions Name: Spray Dance Streamline How: The instructor leads the activity by introducing the directions and then demonstrating the pretend play and movements. It is super important that the instructor Demonstrates and participates in this activity. They must set the tone. …

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Swimming Game – Animal Hunt (splashpad)

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– **Swimming Game – Animal Hunt**: A pretend play game for 2-4 year olds in the splash pad where they have to rescue animals that escaped from the zoo by imitating their sounds and movements.
– **Core Skill**: Listening, playing, and following directions. The instructor leads the game by demonstrating the animal actions and the swimmers mimic them¹[1]. The goal is to build trust and encourage the swimmers to join in the fun²[2].
– **Examples of Animals**: Elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys, snakes, and alligators. Each animal has a different water feature and a way of interacting with it. The instructor should make the motions goofy, funny, and interesting³[3].
– **Free Resources and Community**: The document invites the readers to join a free community of aquatic professionals and provides contact information and categories of swim lesson games.

Swimming Game – Challenge: Elite; DO 4 BR kicks on back

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The belly should remain at the surface of the water; ideally with the belly button over the surface. Do 4 breaststroke kicks keeping your knees underwater. This challenge works on balance and body control and is extremely difficult to do even for more elite swimmers. Pay special attention to the belly button and the knees. …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Streamline on Side to flags

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Name: Side Streamline Challenge Core Skill: Body Position and Balance Who: Swimmers who have mastered the basic streamline position and can kick on their front and back. What: A challenge to practice maintaining a horizontal and streamlined position on the side, while looking at the wall. How: Swimmers start at one end of the pool, …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Streamline Push

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Game – Streamline Push Create partners or groups. One person floats on their back or belly in streamline. Other person holds their feet. When they’re ready, the person holding the feet pushes using hands and feet on the wall to “Push” the streamline as far as you can go. The winner is the “streamline” that …

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Swimming Game – Smile Face Float Boat and Push

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Category: Group / Individual Core Skill: Getting comfortable with the water. Name: Smile Face Float Boat This is another game you can use with the floating smile faces. We use it as an introduction to getting in the water with hesitant 3 year-olds. It doesn’t hold up to anyone older as they’ll get a little …

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Swimming Game – Give a Gift, Take a Swim

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Category: Group activity, Social Core Skill: Coach’s choice Name: Valentine’s Day Practice I like to do different things for the holidays. Most of the kids that participate on our swim team are in grade school or middle school. They’re somewhere between 5 years old and 13 on the developmental swim team. For Valentine’s Day I …

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Swimming Game – President’s Day Trivia

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Category: Group Activity Core Skill: General Swimming / Quiz Name: President’s Day Trivia This game is actually a trivia portion with a bunch of little mini-games inside of it associated with each President. Holidays are a good excuse to do something different or new.  I remember inventing the baseball swim game for our swim group during the …

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Swimming Game – Streamline Line Walk

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Category: Group Activity Core Skill: Dryland / Core Strength / Streamline Name: [Streamline] Line Walk     Ideas come from many different areas. This game was inspired by talking with another coach about her exercise training she was doing at her gym. The basic concept is like what I call an “indian run.” Thought I’m sure there …

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Games and Toys from Dynamic Aquatics with Kyndal

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I recently sent out an email asking about your struggles this summer. Through some conversation I got to talking to Kyndal from Dynamic Aquatics and she shared some wonderful information about games and toys that she brings to her clients for swim lessons. The following is information that she shared with me about what she …

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Swimming Game – Election

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Category: Group Activity Core Skill: Swimming Knowledge / General Swimming Name: Election! We played this game on the fly on November 8th, the night of the american election. With the results in, and Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote by 3 million, and Trump seeming the next president, it highlights some of the interesting things about american …

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Swimming Game – Baseball World Series

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Category: Group Activity / Personal Challenge Core Skill: Swimming Knowledge Name: Swimming Baseball Were you caught up in baseball world series fervor? The Cubs finally won the series for the first time in 108 years, and in honor of their last game, we played “Baseball” at swim practice. It was AWESOME! The kids had a blast, and …

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Swimming Game – Personal Challenge

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Category: Personal Challenge Core Skill: Varied Name: (Category of Game)   You want to play games in your swim lessons and at swim practice. It makes your students more engaged because they have more fun, and it resets their attention allowing you to intersperse your repetitive practice with fun and interesting activities. Games are fun, and they …

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Swimming Game – Flip a Coin

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Category: Group Challenge, Chance Core Skill: Coach’s choice Name: Flip a Race You’ll need two large coins. Quarters will do. The coach flips a coin, then a swimmer flips a coin. Swimmers take turns flipping one of the coins. There will be four options: Coach Heads, Swimmer Heads Coach Heads, Swimmer Tails Coach Tails, Swimmer Tails Coach Tails, Swimmer Heads …

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Swimming Game – Statue Master

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Category: Personal Challenge (in groups) Core Skill: Body position, body control, mimicking Name: Statue Master   Statue master is an interesting game that at first looks like you are wasting time or doing nothing. We first played this game with our beginning developmental age group swim team using the formula found in the book, How to Create Fun …

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Swimming Game – Human Cannonball

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Category: Group Challenge/Skill Core Skill: Streamline Name: Human Cannonball Check out the picture first.   We played this game because I noticed at swim practice our streamlines were really lazy and slow. The swimmers were doing them correctly: locked thumbs, squeezed ears, looking down. They were just, slow. Not very energetic or powerful pushes. We played this …

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Swimming Game – Underwater Picture

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Category: Individual Challenge Core Skill: Going Underwater, Recovering to surface Name: Underwater picture game This game idea comes from one of Swimming Ideas’ members. She uses this game in her swimming lessons and it is a wonderful way to encourage younger swimmers to put their face in the water and begin opening their eyes behind the goggles. The …

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Four great games to go underwater

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  Swimming lessons start with being able to go underwater. If you don’t go underwater, then you cannot proceed with learning how to move well through the water.  Sometimes it can be difficult to train new staff what to do in their level 1 lessons. In level 1 we focus on going underwater independently. Usually …

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Swimming Game – Roll the dice game

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Category: Group Activity or Challenge Core Skill: All, depending on instructor/coach choice Name: Roll the Dice then Go   Who: This game is good for all abilities and all groups. The pictured example was done with a developmental swim team group. Ages 5-12, minimum requirements 25 freestyle with breathing, 25 backstroke. Swimmers in that group are learning breaststroke arms …

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Swimming Game – Swimming Musical Chairs

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Category: Group Challenge, Race Core Skill: speed, stroke work chosen by instructor Name: Swimming Musical Chairs It isn’t really musical chairs, and there isn’t any music unless you want there to be. I use that name because it conveys the general rules of the game very well. Get a group of participants. Generally, between 4-8 people. Have them …

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Swimming Game – Floating toy hurricane

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Category: Independent Challenge Core Skill: blowing bubbles / going underwater. Name: Floating toy hurricane Level 1 class (going underwater), 5 participants, 1 teacher Assume we have a small pool, water none of the class can touch the bottom in, a platform for the participants to stand in, and a range of toys available. Our goal …

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Swimming Game – If you’re Happy and you know it

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The best swimming games are also songs that you can play and sing with multiple groups of people. Ideally you will use this song and game for your Parent Tot classes (infants) and with your beginners who are learning to go underwater. You could adapt this to a more advanced class, but the simplicity of the song and game make it better suited to younger participants.

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Swimming Game – Streamline Launch

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We should all know that streamline is the most essential and foundational swimming skill. Every stroke uses it and every portion of each competitive stroke goes through a streamline position with each stroke. In an effort to always approach the benefits of streamline without being dry, boring or needlessly repetitive, we approach good quality streamline …

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Swimming Ideas Podcast 006: Songs for Swimming Lessons

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[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/swimmingideas/SIP_006.mp3″ title=”Swimming Ideas Podcast 006: Songs for Swimming Lessons” artist=”JSWIM” ] SIP 006 is all about singing songs! Here are some great songs you can use in your swimming program to help teach going underwater, getting your face wet, and doing front and back floats. We review what you can do during each song …

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Swim Lesson Toys and Games to play

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The toys to buy for your swimming lesson program:
These are the best swimming lesson toys that you can get for your swim lessons or swim lesson program. If you use American Red Cross, Starfish Aquatics, or Swim America, you’ll benefit from any or all of these swim lesson toys. Every game, song, or activity is possible, or made better by using these toys.

Swimming Game – Choice Grid

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Use your chalkboard, whiteboard, or poster and create a grid on it.

 

Activity 1
3x streamline + 3 strokes Free		 Activity 2
3x streamline + 2 fly strokes no kick		 Activity 3
3x streamline + 3 BK strokes		 Activity 4
3x streamline + 2 BR strokes
10 Flips 10 Handstands 10 Streamline Jumps 10 Handstands that turn into flips
4×25 FLY K 4×25 FR K 2x 50 BK 1×100 BR
Float on back from bottom to surface Put nose, belly button and 1 big toe on bottom for 2 seconds 3x Do 5 second front float, then flip 5x Find place in lane to do 3 creative streamlines

 

Here is an example grid that you could use. Notice how it is a mix of games, workouts, short distance skill work.

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Parent Tot – Buckethead – The best game ever

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“Child in the water – ideally 0 depth, or where they can sit, or stand, if not then in the “”saddle”” being held by parent. Parent, in the water next to child or holding child. Fill a bucket with water. Pour bucket over child’s head and smile and shout, say, yell “”BUCKETHEAD!!”” Modify this by …

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Swimming Game – Champion Swimmer

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Advanced swimmer game: Have each lane pick one “champion” that will participate. Do not tell the swimmers what stroke or activity they will be doing. After each lane has chosen a Champion, tell them what they will do.  EXAMPLE: Champions must swim a 50 Freestyle with flip turn and correct streamline. If the champion passes …

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Swimming Game – Log Roll Streamline

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Log Roll Streamline Log Roll is a great game for both advanced and beginning swimmers. It focuses on the single most important swimming position: Streamline. You can have your swimmers do this activity by waves, individually or repeatedly in a cycle. This game/activity is very well suited to variation, and feel free to adapt the …

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Swimming Game – Spider

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Game Name: Spider. Skills Developed: Breath control, confidence and swimming under water. This game is meant for private classes that do not have too many learners. There are two roles: one swimmer will act as the web while another acts as the spider. The thing that should act as a pre-requisite for this game is …

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Swimming Game – Buckethead

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This is the best swimming lessons game of all time. Buckethead’s success is directly proportional to the amount of enthusiasm the instructor puts into it. With action, fearlessness, and boldness this can be the most successful game of all time. Get a bucket/pail/bowl Fill it with water pour it over the participant’s head while shouting/singing/saying …

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Pirate ship

Swimming Game – Treasure Hunt

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This swimming lessons game works best in a zero-depth pool; a pool that simulates a beach. There are a number of swimming skills that it works on, and many more depending on how creative your instructors or you are. Treasure Hunt: Get a kickboard. This will be your “boat.” Every child in your class is …

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Swimming Game – Bake a Cake

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Bake a Cake -Get a hoola hoop, or a circular object and make that your “cake” -Have swimmers circle around the hoola hoop and hold the sides. -Take turns asking each swimmer what they would like in their cake. Exp: “Susie, what would you like in your cake?” “CHOCOLATE!” “Ok, lets put some chocolate in …

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