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.
Challenges and Games
The best fun and effective swimming lessons games and challenges.
Swimming Game – Challenge: Shark Breath Race
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Bubble Blaster Countdown
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: …
Swimming Game: Holiday Gift Giving
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 …
Swimming Game: Holiday Snow Plow
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 …
Swimming Game – Magic Statue
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 …
Swimming Game – Police and Baddies
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Frozen Magic
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Rock, Paper, Scissors, CHEER!
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 …
18 Challenges and Games for Going Underwater
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 …
Swimming Game – Dancing Jumps
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Flip Flop Flap
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Macarena Position 11
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 …
Swimming Game – Big Bad Wolf
While floating on a noodle or life jacket, use your breath to blow a ping pong ball from one bench to the other.
Core Skill
This game focuses on breath control and coordination, essential for developing swimming skills in young learners.
Swimming Game – Challenge: Noodle Scull
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 …
Swimming Game – Treasure Dive; variation on diving for toys
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Kick on Side Helicopter Arm
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, …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Position 11 Cartwheel
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Hurdles and Limbos
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Superman, Save Me!
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Be a submarine
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Singing in the Rain
#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. …
Swimming Game: Secret Messages
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 …
Thoughts on watching my 3-year-old in her first lessons
My 3-year-old daughter is in her 3rd swimming lesson without my wife or I in the water without us. She’s in level 1. And she’s been that kid that cries on the side of the pool clinging to us like we’re about to abandon her to flail in the water alone. I feel for her. …
Swimming Game – Car Wash
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 …
Swimming Game – Circle Circle and Under
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 …
Swimming Game – Swim then Coach
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 …
Guppies: Playing games with toddlers
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, …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Guard Tube Raft
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 …
Swimming Game – Fill the Bucket, Empty the Bucket
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Giving Love; your favorite toy
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Striking Love
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Cupid’s Heart
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Otter Eating
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. …
Instructor Training Challenge: Conquer Fear Dance
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Non-Verbal Directions
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Leading the Blind with Commands
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
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Name and Food Match
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Max Class Setup Pictures
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Random Skill Test
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 …
Instructor Training Challenge: Fast Performance
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
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 …
Swimming Game – Keeping the line
Name Keeping the Line Core Skill Front Glide with Face in the Water Who Level 2 or Level 3 swimmers in a lane What A team game where swimmers push off the wall holding a pool noodle and try to keep it straight until they reach the flags. About 5 yards. How Difficulties an instructor …
Swimming Game – Magic Mirror
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 …
How Swim Games and Challenges Enhance Our Swimming Lesson Plans
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. …
Swimming Game – Christmas Presents
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 …
Swimming Game – Reindeer Jump
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 …
Swimming Game – Tic Toc Around the Clock
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: …
Swimming Game – Do the Twist w/ Mirrors
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 …
Swimming Game – 3 Thanksgiving Activities for Developmental Swimming Practice
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 …
Swimming Game – Singing and Rolling
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 …
Swimming Game – Mirror, Mirror, Pose
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 …
Swimming Game – Halloween Practice with Coach Drake
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Witch Which Witch
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. …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Halloween Costume Stroke
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: One Stroke FREE w/ Mirror
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 …
Swimming Game – Zoom around the moon
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: One Finger Floating
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. …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Puppet Master Freestyle
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 …
Why swimming games are a crucial component of a swim lesson
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 …
Swimming Game – Splash and Dash
Here is a swimming game for a guppies ? Name Splash and Dash Core Skill This game helps toddlers to practice their kicking and breathing skills in the water. Who This game is suitable for guppies level swimmers, who are toddlers aged 3 to 5 years old. They should be able to float on their …
Swimming Game – Challenge: One Breath Waltz
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 …
Swimming Game – 6 Jumps from the blocks
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 …
Swimming Game – Bench Crossing
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Backstroke Kick Count
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: 25 Position 11 Freestyle
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Stroke Switch
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 …
Swimming Game – Kickboard Chaos
Name: Kickboard Chaos Core Skill: Kicking Who: Beginners who are comfortable with water on their face What: A fun game that involves kicking, splashing, and buckets with kickboards and diving rings How: Struggles Instructors might face: Do you like this game?
Swimming Game – Superhero Glides
Name Superhero Glides Core skill Gliding on the front and back How The instructor stands in the water near the wall and holds a superhero toy or picture. The swimmer stands on the bench and waits for the instructor to show the superhero. The swimmer then leans into the swim instructor’s support and glides on …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Two Toe Tornado
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 …
Swimming Game – Splash and Sing
Splash and Sing is a fun and easy game that helps 3 year olds get comfortable with putting their faces in the water and blowing bubbles. The children will splash the water with their hands and sing a song of their choice.Lo
Swimming Game – Glide and Catch
Category: Level 2 – Glides and Crawls Core Skill: Front glide and recover independently Name: Glide and Catch How: The instructor gives the group of 4 or 5 a basket of balls or other floating objects. One swimmer glides on their front as far as they can or to a bench, then recovers to a …
Swimming Game – Flip a Coin Glides; AI generated
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 …
Swimming Game – Bubble Pop; AI generated
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 …
Swimming Game – Toy Toss
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. …
Swimming Game – Dumpy in the Dingas!
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 …
Swimming Game – Mirror Me
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 …
Swimming Game – Spray Dance Streamline
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. …
Swimming Game – Animal Hunt (splashpad)
– **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 – Pool Noodle Surfing
** This game was created by Bing Chat AI. What do you think? ** How to Play Pool Noodle Surfing: A Fun and Easy Swimming Game for Kids Who Pool noodle surfing is a simple and fun swimming game that can be played by kids of all ages and swimming abilities, as long as they …
Swimming Game – Glide or Die; an AI swimming game
I am tinkering with using BingChat AI to see how it works. It came up with the following swim game. What do you think? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Swimming Lesson Game for Breaststroke Are you looking for a fun and effective way to teach your students the breaststroke arms and kick? Do you want to challenge them …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Elite; DO 4 BR kicks on back
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. …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Vampire Sleep
This game can be played with a pool noodle or a floatie. The kids lie on their back on the noodle or floatie and close their eyes. They pretend to be vampires sleeping in their coffins. The instructor or another kid tries to wake them up by splashing water on them or making noises. The …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Streamline on Side to flags
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, …
Swimming Game – Breaststroke kick dance
Longer version:
Swimming Game – Challenge: Streamline Push
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Handstand Rewind
I think that this is one of my favorite challenge games, and the best part of it is that the swimmer invented it on his own! I loved this! The kids on the swim team love this challenge and they can do it on their own during sets while they’re waiting for their turn or …
Swimming Game – Challenge: Log Push
I often get asked what this game works on. A parent might be watching from the stands or the observation lounge or a coach might wander by with a curious look on their face. Great question. Let’s look at the pieces involved in this challenge: Yes, we play games with a purpose. Even if that …
Swimming Game – Smile Face Float Boat and Push
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 …
Swimming Game – Smiley Faces
Category: Group / Individual Core Skill: Putting your face underwater Name: Smiley Faces How: Using the smiley face float toys have your swimmer smile as big as the toy, and hold it up to their faces. Then, using their face, push the floating toy underwater while keeping your smile as large as the toy. Smile …
Swimming Game – Swim Subtraction
Category: Distance swimming, Group Core Skill: Coach’s Choice, Reading the board. Name: Swim Subtraction WHO This game is for swim teams that know how to read the board a little bit. Some ability to read your shorthand, your practices, or some familiarity with your program is important. Do not play this game with beginners. We …
Swimming Game – Give a Gift, Take a Swim
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 …
Swimming Game – Tic Tac Toe
Every year I get a few new assistant coaches that help me run my developmental swim practices. Once they understand the language that I use, the routines and habits for the different groups, and are comfortable with the flow and format of most practices I give them opportunities to take ownership of the groups. I …
Swimming Game – Trick and Treat
Category: Group Activities Core Skill: Reading the board, self-guided practice Name: Trick and Treat WHO: This game is for swim team participants or people that can be in the water without someone in the water with them. You could do this with lessons but would need a person in the water at each station to …
Swimming Game – Activities on Ping Pong Balls
Seastarz Swim School was kind enough to let me post this here. I wanted to share this with everyone because it is an awesome idea. I have a few thoughts on how I assume this would work in both swim lessons and on swim teams. Category: Group Activity Core Skill: Coach’s Choice Name: Ping Pong Adventure This …
Swimming Game – President’s Day Trivia
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 …
Swimming Game – Streamline Line Walk
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 …
Swimming Game – Flick a Frog
Category: Personal Challenge Core Skill: Aerobic Workout (coach’s choice) Name: Flick a Frog I like to use props when I can, and some days they’re better than others. I happened to stumble upon a basket of little plastic frogs. Naturally, I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate them into my swim lessons or …
Games and Toys from Dynamic Aquatics with Kyndal
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 …
Adjusting a game – Bake a Cake
About 40 minutes ago I got out of the water and gave ‘hi-fives’ to the kids from my class, and said, “Well done today, come back next week.” It was not the easiest class. They were all the same “level” in what we call level 2, but they were very new to swimming, and reluctant …
Swimming Game – Election
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 …
Swimming Game – Baseball World Series
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 …
Swimming Game – Personal Challenge
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 …
Swimming Game – Flip a Coin
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 …
Swimming Game – Statue Master
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 …
Swimming Game – Human Cannonball
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 …
Swimming Game – Underwater Picture
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 …
Four great games to go underwater
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 …
Swimming Game – Roll the dice game
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 …
Swimming Game – Kicking Battle
Kickboard Wars, Kicking Battle, Kick Tug of War No matter what you call this game, it can be fun, exciting and open to many different variations. We’re going to look today at the different criteria for success and failure, challenges to making the game effective and how to overcome them. Carol gives a good description …
Swimming Game – Back float contest
Category: Individual challenge Core Skill: backstroke, posture, balance Name: Back Float Contest This game is best played in a diving well, or a large open area where you don’t have any lane lines. Here is how we explain the game. “When I say “go,” you will find your own space away from the wall …
Swimming Game – Swimming Musical Chairs
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 …
Swimming Game – Floating toy hurricane
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 …
Swimming Game – Challenge Day
Take a break from your regular instruction and assign points to each challenge completion. This game is great for beginners and advanced swimmers as you can dynamically alter the exact challenges to meet the needs of the group you’re working with. My favorite part of this game is how creative you can be based on …
Swimming Game – 100 Point Swim
Who is this game for? Swim teams, and upper level swimmers. You’ll need to do this with a group that has a decent understanding of general swimming requirements. How many do you need to play? You should have enough people to create two or three teams. You will need enough coaches on deck or swim …
Swimming Game – Streamline Launch
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 …
Swimming Game – Flip Turn or Open Turn Race
Setup Game is basically a race between two teams. We have a 4 lane pool. Lanes 1 and 2 get out and stand on their side of the pool, and lanes 3 and 4 stand on their side of the pool (outside). Each team then chooses 2 champions for each round. Race is by individual …
Swimming Ideas Podcast 006: Songs for Swimming Lessons
[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 …
Swim Lesson Toys and Games to play
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 – Fly and Back
What Swimming Skill will be the focus? Flatter surface fly, and pressing down with arms extended Explain the game in detail. What gives a challenge to everyone, but allows for failure? Relay race. Everyone will get a chance to compete, and be part of the team. Put toys at the bottom of the pool just …
Swimming Game – Glide through the Hula Hoop
What Swimming Skill will be the focus? Breaststroke Glide What can we do that gives a challenge to everyone, but allows for failure? Have one person hold a Hula Hoop and have another swimmer do 2 strokes BR by a certain point and then hold the GLIDE through the hula hoop. Possibly have 3 people …
Swimming Game – Slalom
We play this game with the middle groups of our swim team. Have at least 7 people in each lane. Have 6 people stand on the middle line down the middle of the lane (on the bottom of the pool) 1 swimmer will push off the wall, and then slalom around the standing swimmers. They …
Swimming Game – True or False
We play this game at the end of our swim team practices. Typically we go to the diving well (if we have one). The game is True or False, and there are two ways to play: 1) Swimmers stand on the side with their toes curled over the edge. If the coach says something true, …
Swimming Game – Driving the Stake
You’ll need a deep pool to play this game! Have your swimmers find a partner. One swimmer gets in as straight as a body position as possible, hands at sides, feet together, and head in line with the spine (basically streamline with hands at hips). The partner pushes the straight swimmer by the shoulders straight …
Why “Mr. Fox” is the worst swim game you can play
If you are not familiar with the game, check this out: wikipedia on “Mr. Fox” Basically: – swimmer 1 stands away from the others, who typically remain on the wall. -Swimmer 1 waits while others chant: “Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox, what time is it?” -Swimmer 1 then shouts, with their backs turned to the others, …
Swimming Game – Choice Grid
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.
Swimming Game – Turtle Swim
Group swimming lesson or swim team game. One player gets a kickboard puts one toy on top of it. Player then floats on back with kickboard balanced on their stomach like it is a turtle shell. Goal is to get to the other side without toy falling off the kickboard, or his shell falling off. …
Parent Tot – Buckethead – The best game ever
“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 …
Swimming Game – Champion Swimmer
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 …
Swimming Game – Log Roll Streamline
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 …
Swimming Game – Legs on Fire
Swim Game – Legs on Fire Have all your swimmers get kickboards. Get into one lane or an open large area. Get 1 bucket and fill with water. All but 1 swimmers starts an easy kick set. Waiting swimmer not participating is the Fire Truck. Coach/Instructor gives an item to one of the …
Swimming Game – Spider
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 …
Swimming Game – Streamline through Hula Hoops
This is a very simple game you can play multiple ways. Hold 2 hula hoops underwater and have your child streamline through them. Hold them close enough to the wall so the swimmer can get through both by pushing off the wall. Give clear goals that are “difficult” but easy to accomplish. For example, the …
Parent Tot Games and Songs
Swim Lesson Games and Songs for Parent Tot Class We recently did a comprehensive podcast on this topic: SIP 006: Songs and Games for Parent Tot classes Sing the Hokey Pokey: Hokey Pokey together as a group. Put all floaty toys in the middle of a circle. You put your hands in, you put your …
Swimming Game – Noodle Race Partners
This game is good for developmental swim teams, large swim lesson classes, or the more advanced swimmers. You will need: 1 noodle for every 2 participants Have swimmers form pairs or partners Give each pair 1 noodle Both partners are to be on TOP of the noodle in some fashion (some swimmers will straddle the …
Swimming Game – Duck Partner Kick
This is a great game to play with both swim teams and swim lessons. Ideally your swimmers will be able to kick with a kickboard by themselves for more than 4 lengths. Start at one end of the pool with everyone Have swimmers form partners Give 1 little rubber duck to each group Swimmers …
Swimming Game – Jumps
Swimming lessons idea game: Jumps This seems like a stupid thing to write about or talk about. Jumps. Really? something that simple? Yes. Jumping into the pool w/ assistance or without works on a number of different skills and can be a good gauge of trust and progress. Here are a few: Go …
Swimming Game – Alligator Walk
Alligator walks are a great thing to do with novice and little swimmers. This game/activity is perfect for swimmers under 6 years old. This swimming lessons game is excellent! This works best in a zero-depth pool (beach like simulated pool). Lay on your belly and use your arms to hold your head above the water. …
Swimming Game – Buckethead
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 …
Swimming Game – Treasure Hunt
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 …
Swimming Game – Pigeon
A great game to play in a diving well or in the deep end of the pool. This Swimming lessons game, Pigeon, can be modified to work on any number of skills! Children line up along the outside edge of the pool, standing. (they can dive in or not as you choose) The …
Swimming Lessons Plan – Swim Lesson Plan Template
Use the following generic template to write your own swimming lessons plans. Most lessons are 30 minutes, and you can break up your lessons into three 10 minute blocks. I generally focus on one skill like Freestyle in a 10 minute block, working on glides, streamlines, kicking and arms. After 10 minutes of that do …
Swimming Game – Parent Tot – Hokey Pokey
Hokey Pokey For Parent Tot Swimming Lessons The best thing for infant swimmers is routine. Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. If you play the Hokey Pokey in your class, I suggest you do it at the end of your class session. It can be time consuming, and get monotonous and droll. Focus on a few key …
Swimming Game – Sharks and Minnows
Are you a swim teacher looking for some new games to teach your kids? Their are many fun games to lessons to teach kids, but this game is sure to get yours wanting more. The game is called Sharks and Minnows and this how you play: This game is for advanced swimmers, or swimmers who …
Swimming Game – Monkey Walks
A great swim lesson skill for smaller and younger swimmers is called Monkey Walks. To teach Monkey walks in a learn to swim class follow these steps: The swimmer walks along the side of the pool using their hands and feet to move along the edge. I’ve included a video demonstrating the action. This is …
Swimming Game – Ring Retrieval
Being able and comfortable going underwater is one of the key skills for swimming. One way to acquire this skill is by playing a retrieval game. The rules are simple: throw something that will sink (dive rings or sticks are perfect) into the water and ask the child to retrieve them. How to play: *Throw …
Swimming Game – Diving In
Diving is one of the hardest swim skills to teach, especially diving from a block. This game, simply named “Diving in,” will help to teach proper diving technique. Depending on the age of the swimmer, they can either dive from the block or from the edge of the pool. 1) Have all of your swimmers …
Swimming Game – Bake a Cake
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 …