The best swimming pool games to increase family fun and get great exercise

Posted: 07 Mar 2018

There is a good deal of research supporting the fact that swimming and swimming pool games are a great pastime for all ages – kids, teens and adults. However, no research is needed to tell the parents of young kids that swimming activities are a great pastime, when they see how it wears their kids out and helps them sleep better. That sells them on it, every time!

According to UC Berkley Wellness, “Swimming is an almost ideal way to stay in shape. If you don’t already swim, it’s not too late to start. And, if you don’t like to swim, there’s a wide range of other workouts you can do in water.” See the complete article “Why Swimming Is So Good for You,” at http://www.berkeleywellness.com/fitness/active-lifestyle/article/why-swimming-so-good-you.

Just like the article indicates, if you don’t like to swim laps, there are so many other ways to have fun and get exercise in the water. Not to use too many water puns, but there are a flood of recreational activities and swimming pool games that can transpire in a pool. For example, aqua aerobics and pool walking are the perfect exercises for all ages, especially those over 50, because it doesn’t put stress on the joints. Swimming pool games, such as Marco Polo and Sharks and Minnows, are a fun way to strengthen kids swimming skills and help them learn and respect pool rules.

Find endless ways to entertain your brood this pool season with some of the swimming activities found at http://www.swimmingpool.com/pool-living/pool-games. This site includes low-cost, creative pool games like Atomic Whirlpool, Crocodile Hunter and Splash Dance. For more summer fun, visit https://swimswam.com/the-top-9-swimming-pool-games-3-sharks-and-minnows/ to find another list of swimming pool games including rules for Water Polo and Swimming Battleball.

When in doubt, throw a bucket full of change in the pool and play Capture the Change, where everyone is a winner. Plus, extend your pool playtime with the Starlight Swimming Pool Game Kit. This kit allows you to play ten different swimming pool games after nightfall using the enclosed waterproof glow in the dark games pieces and game instructions available here. Games like Sharks versus Whales and Treasures Hunters are even better in the pool after dark.

Purchasing a few pool toys throughout the swim season can also help keep all ages entertained. Swimoutlet.com has everything you need to make a splash at the pool from beach balls and dive rings to basketball hoops and waterproof playing cards.

For a really fantastic float, toysplash.com carries giant rafts with amazing shapes like pizzas, flamingos and even the continental USA, all available for purchase at https://www.toysplash.com/rafts-lounges-floats-inflatables.html.

Whatever fun you choose to have in the pool – you’ll know that swimming is a relaxing, low-impact activity that gives the body an all over workout. Almost all of your muscles are being used during swimming without impact or stress on them. Meanwhile, it keeps your heart rate up and builds endurance and muscle strength. It is also a beneficial way to maintain a healthy weight, and improves heart and lung capacity.

“Swimming is a good, whole-body exercise that has low impact for people with arthritis, musculoskeletal, or weight limitations,” Robert A. Robergs, director of the exercise physiology laboratories at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque says, “because it is low impact and can be done by people of any weight, age or physical ability.” http://www.medicaldaily.com/swimming-benefits-8-reasons-why-sport-good-you-247152

In addition to helping your physical health, swimming and swimming pool games have many other benefits, including improved flexibility, coordination, balance and posture. It can be a relaxing way to alleviate stress and improve mood.

According to a powerful article on Livestrong.com:

Spending time in the water can also be positive for children’s mental health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Swimming may improve mood and decrease anxiety. Families that spend time swimming together could experience enhanced family bonding. Kids could enjoy swimming more than other types of exercise, so, if you provide your children with opportunities to swim, they may be more likely to exercise.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/112022-swimming-good-kids/

What more convincing does anyone need? In addition to being fun and helping young kids sleep better, swimming is a great way to stay fit, enjoy time with friends and cool down on a hot day. Plus, it is a healthy activity that you can continue your whole life. So, pull out that speedo, put on that sunscreen and head to the pool for a fun day of swimming pool activity. Jump in knowing that you are providing a fun and healthy activity for you and your whole family.