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. …
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 …
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**: 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.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“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 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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …