The Invisible Bottle

This game is deceptively difficult to play. Fill a few clear water bottles with water and toss them into the pool. You can put numbers on the caps to keep track of how many have been found, and then encourage swimmers to find all the “invisible” bottles.

Pool Noodle Race

This is a perfect game for swimmers who may not be ready to take off on their own. Pool noodle races allow for competitive laps around the pool for even the younger kids. Not only will they have a fun time, but they will really get those feet kicking.

Hula Hoop Course

More advanced swimmers can be challenged to swim through hula hoops held by other people in the pool. Initiate a relay race between teams to see who can swim through all the hoops the fastest, or an individual challenge to see how long a party-goer can swim underwater.

Ping Pong Collection

This is another fun team activity, and all you need are ping pong balls and a permanent marker. Write numbers on the ping pong balls and toss them into the pool. Challenge your swimmers to collect as many as they can, and then count them to discover which team was able to collect the most.

Water Volleyball

Who doesn’t love a good water volleyball game? A beach ball and a net are all that’s required, and younger swimmers can always play closer to the shallow end so that they can have fun, too!

Balloon Fun

It’s not a party without balloons, especially balloons floating on, in, and under the water!  For the first set of balloons, just blow them up, tie them off and toss them into the pool. Add just a little bit of water to the next group of balloons, blow them up, tie them off and toss them in.  Add even more water to another set of balloons, tie them off and toss them in. You’ll see how all of the balloons float or sink to different levels!  Now, send in teams or individuals to collect as many as they can in a set time limit. Balloons can be fun to navigate around the pool, both under and at the surface.

Pool Scrabble

If you’re looking for something with an educational twist, all you need are square pieces of kitchen sponges that have been cut in half and a permanent marker. Write letters on the sponge pieces, creating small floating tiles. Have players collect as many as they can. Once all the pieces are in hand, let the game of wits commence. Hint: you can use chalk to draw your own version of a scrabble board on the deck!

Dive for Treasure

The treasure can be anything from glow sticks to plastic dinosaurs. Encourage your more advanced swimmers to dive for items at the bottom of the pool and collect as many as they can.

One final hint, you can always mix and match any of these games. Swim through Hula Hoops to collect water balloons, for example.

Your Pool Party Deserves a Clean Pool

You can’t enjoy a pool party and these awesome games without a crystal clear, clean pool. Insure your pool is always ready for the next party – scheduled or impromptu – by contacting us today!  We will provide you with weekly, bi-weekly or monthly pool cleaning all summer long.

We all love to have fun in the pool, but before planning any pool party, be sure to review pool safety guidance to make sure your guests stay safe.

The post 8 Fun Games for your Next Pool Party appeared first on Hastings Water Works.

1. Swimming Is an All-Body Exercise

Need to tighten the abs?  Burn the fat? Striving to strengthen your arms? From losing weight to improving cardiovascular health to strengthening muscles, it doesn’t matter what you’re trying to accomplish with your fitness program: Swimming can help you get there faster.

2. Learning to Swim Can Save Your Life

Knowing how to swim – even if all you can do is keep yourself afloat until help comes – can save your life. Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Enrolling your kids in swimming lessons can protect them from this often-silent killer.

3. Water Exercise Is Low-Impact

If you need to exercise but struggle with arthritis or other joint pain, or if you are at risk for injury, exercising in the water (swimming laps, water aerobics, and resistance exercises) can be very beneficial. Water’s buoyancy reduces the pressure on your joints. The pool is the perfect place for physical therapy.

4. Swimming Burns More Calories than Biking or Walking

Swimming burns more calories than most other exercises, and while it burns less than running, it does so with much less impact, making it a better choice for many people.

5. Swimming Is Fun!

One reason it can be difficult to stick to exercise routines is because, let’s be honest, they’re not very much fun. Swimming is fun! And for most people, the sound of water is also therapeutic. Even the breathing technique used for swimming is beneficial. And new research out of England reveals that swimming can reduce the risk of dementia and improve overall mental health.

The next time you’re feeling blue, need to exercise, or simply want to avoid the same old exercise routine, visit a swimming pool. You’ll be glad you did. Everyone should swim!

Are you ready to open your pool for the summer? We have slots available for pool openings as well as ongoing cleaning services for both residential and commercial pools. Don’t let the dread of pool maintenance keep you from enjoying the benefits of swimming. Just get in touch; then, relax and enjoy your pool with comprehensive pool cleaning services.

The post 5 Reasons Everyone Should Swim appeared first on Hastings Water Works.