Summer in Australia means long, hot days and endless hours of fun under the sun. Keeping kids cool, entertained, and safely enjoying the outdoors becomes a priority. At Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we know that a backyard pool is the perfect solution to beat the heat, but sometimes kids need a little extra excitement to stay engaged. With a few creative ideas, your pool can become the ultimate summer playground, bringing hours of laughter and relief from the heat. Here are some fun and refreshing ways to help kids cool down and make memories in the pool all summer long!
1. DIY Pool Obstacle Course
Transform your pool into an adventurous obstacle course that will keep kids active and entertained! Use floating objects like pool noodles, inflatable rings, and even beach balls to create a course that challenges their swimming skills.
- How It Works: Set up stations where kids need to swim through hoops, climb onto a floating platform, or manoeuvre around obstacles without touching them.
- Add a Timer: To add an element of competition, use a timer so kids can try to beat each other’s times or their own personal records.
2. Water Balloon Splash Party
Nothing says summer fun like water balloons! Fill up balloons with cold water and have a water balloon fight in or around the pool. You can also make a game out of it by trying to toss the balloons to each other without breaking them.
- Pro Tip: Fill a small plastic pool with water balloons for easy access, or use a net to create a “balloon station” that floats in the pool.
- Safety First: Be sure to pick up balloon fragments afterward to keep the pool and surrounding area safe and clean.
3. Ice Cube Dive
For a quick, cool-down game, throw ice cubes into the pool and challenge the kids to dive and retrieve them before they melt. This activity not only keeps them cool but also sharpens their underwater skills.
- Make It More Challenging: Use coloured ice cubes to add a layer of fun and ask kids to retrieve specific colours in a certain order.
- Reward the Winner: The child who collects the most ice cubes can win a small prize or get the first choice of a poolside snack!
4. Floating Snack Bar
Nothing is as refreshing as an icy treat during a pool day. Set up a floating snack bar filled with hydrating snacks like watermelon, grapes, and ice pops. This allows the kids to snack and cool down without leaving the pool!
- Stay Hydrated: Include ice-cold water and flavoured drinks to keep everyone hydrated.
- Use a Pool Float or Cooler: A large pool float with cup holders or a floating cooler can work perfectly for setting up a pool-friendly snack bar.
5. DIY Pool Games with Pool Noodles
Pool noodles are versatile and inexpensive, making them the perfect tool for countless pool games. Try setting up noodle races, where kids use a noodle as a horse to “ride” across the pool, or create a floating basketball hoop using noodles and a mesh bag for a creative pool basketball game.
- Noodle Jousting: Divide kids into pairs and have them sit on inflatable rafts while using pool noodles to try to knock each other off.
- Noodle Relay: Create relay races using pool noodles as batons to add a cooperative twist to the competition.
6. Water Gun Races
Water guns are always a big hit with kids! For this activity, hang up plastic cups on a string across the pool and have the kids aim their water guns to push the cups along the string. This can be a timed challenge or a race to see who gets the cup to the other end first.
- Obstacle Twist: To increase the difficulty, create mini “obstacles” on the string for the cups to navigate around.
- Team Play: Form teams and let the kids take turns, encouraging teamwork while they cool off.
7. Poolside Movie Night
As the sun starts to set and temperatures cool down, let the kids enjoy a poolside movie night. Set up a projector and screen by the pool, add some comfortable floating loungers, and let the kids enjoy a movie from the water.
- Bring on the Snacks: Include fun, themed snacks like “shark bites” made from fruit and a cooler of drinks to make it a complete experience.
- Safety: Always supervise, especially if kids will be in the pool during the movie, and use pool lights for extra visibility.
8. Splash Pool Dance Party
Turn up the tunes and let the kids splash around in the pool to their favourite music! A pool dance party is not only a fantastic way for kids to let loose, but the splashing and moving around also help them stay cool.
- Floating Disco Balls: You can find floating, waterproof LED lights or disco balls that change colour, creating a fun, party atmosphere in the water.
- Keep the Beat: Use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to play a summer playlist and let the kids vote on their favourite songs.
9. Sunscreen Painting and Art Time
While keeping kids safe in the sun, you can make sunscreen application more fun by turning it into “sunscreen painting.” Let the kids “paint” designs on their arms or legs with a fun-coloured, kid-friendly sunscreen before they dive into the pool.
- Poolside Craft Station: Set up a craft station by the pool for them to create drawings inspired by their pool adventures. Just remember to take breaks from the water to dry off before handling any art materials.
- Sunscreen Touch-Up Game: Create a reminder game that encourages reapplying sunscreen regularly with a small reward each time they do.
10. Pool Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt in the pool will keep kids occupied for hours. Hide waterproof toys, coins, or other small treasures around the pool and give kids a list of what to find.
- Clues for Extra Fun: Add clues for older kids or make it a timed event to up the excitement level.
- Reward with Prizes: After the hunt, give a small prize to the child who finds the most items or the one who completes the hunt the fastest.
With these creative pool activities, your kids will be set to have the best summer yet while staying cool, active, and entertained. A well-maintained, safe, and engaging pool environment makes for endless summer memories. At Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we love helping families make the most of their pools, and our selection of high-quality fibreglass pools ensures everyone can enjoy the perfect backyard retreat. For more tips on pool safety, design, and maintenance, or to explore our pool options, visit our website or contact our team today!
Summer in Australia means long, hot days and endless hours of fun under the sun. Keeping kids cool, entertained, and safely enjoying the outdoors becomes a priority. At Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we know that a backyard pool is the perfect solution to beat the heat, but sometimes kids need a little extra excitement to stay engaged. With a few creative ideas, your pool can become the ultimate summer playground, bringing hours of laughter and relief from the heat. Here are some fun and refreshing ways to help kids cool down and make memories in the pool all summer long!
1. DIY Pool Obstacle Course
Transform your pool into an adventurous obstacle course that will keep kids active and entertained! Use floating objects like pool noodles, inflatable rings, and even beach balls to create a course that challenges their swimming skills.
- How It Works: Set up stations where kids need to swim through hoops, climb onto a floating platform, or manoeuvre around obstacles without touching them.
- Add a Timer: To add an element of competition, use a timer so kids can try to beat each other’s times or their own personal records.
2. Water Balloon Splash Party
Nothing says summer fun like water balloons! Fill up balloons with cold water and have a water balloon fight in or around the pool. You can also make a game out of it by trying to toss the balloons to each other without breaking them.
- Pro Tip: Fill a small plastic pool with water balloons for easy access, or use a net to create a “balloon station” that floats in the pool.
- Safety First: Be sure to pick up balloon fragments afterward to keep the pool and surrounding area safe and clean.
3. Ice Cube Dive
For a quick, cool-down game, throw ice cubes into the pool and challenge the kids to dive and retrieve them before they melt. This activity not only keeps them cool but also sharpens their underwater skills.
- Make It More Challenging: Use coloured ice cubes to add a layer of fun and ask kids to retrieve specific colours in a certain order.
- Reward the Winner: The child who collects the most ice cubes can win a small prize or get the first choice of a poolside snack!
4. Floating Snack Bar
Nothing is as refreshing as an icy treat during a pool day. Set up a floating snack bar filled with hydrating snacks like watermelon, grapes, and ice pops. This allows the kids to snack and cool down without leaving the pool!
- Stay Hydrated: Include ice-cold water and flavoured drinks to keep everyone hydrated.
- Use a Pool Float or Cooler: A large pool float with cup holders or a floating cooler can work perfectly for setting up a pool-friendly snack bar.
5. DIY Pool Games with Pool Noodles
Pool noodles are versatile and inexpensive, making them the perfect tool for countless pool games. Try setting up noodle races, where kids use a noodle as a horse to “ride” across the pool, or create a floating basketball hoop using noodles and a mesh bag for a creative pool basketball game.
- Noodle Jousting: Divide kids into pairs and have them sit on inflatable rafts while using pool noodles to try to knock each other off.
- Noodle Relay: Create relay races using pool noodles as batons to add a cooperative twist to the competition.
6. Water Gun Races
Water guns are always a big hit with kids! For this activity, hang up plastic cups on a string across the pool and have the kids aim their water guns to push the cups along the string. This can be a timed challenge or a race to see who gets the cup to the other end first.
- Obstacle Twist: To increase the difficulty, create mini “obstacles” on the string for the cups to navigate around.
- Team Play: Form teams and let the kids take turns, encouraging teamwork while they cool off.
7. Poolside Movie Night
As the sun starts to set and temperatures cool down, let the kids enjoy a poolside movie night. Set up a projector and screen by the pool, add some comfortable floating loungers, and let the kids enjoy a movie from the water.
- Bring on the Snacks: Include fun, themed snacks like “shark bites” made from fruit and a cooler of drinks to make it a complete experience.
- Safety: Always supervise, especially if kids will be in the pool during the movie, and use pool lights for extra visibility.
8. Splash Pool Dance Party
Turn up the tunes and let the kids splash around in the pool to their favourite music! A pool dance party is not only a fantastic way for kids to let loose, but the splashing and moving around also help them stay cool.
- Floating Disco Balls: You can find floating, waterproof LED lights or disco balls that change colour, creating a fun, party atmosphere in the water.
- Keep the Beat: Use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to play a summer playlist and let the kids vote on their favourite songs.
9. Sunscreen Painting and Art Time
While keeping kids safe in the sun, you can make sunscreen application more fun by turning it into “sunscreen painting.” Let the kids “paint” designs on their arms or legs with a fun-coloured, kid-friendly sunscreen before they dive into the pool.
- Poolside Craft Station: Set up a craft station by the pool for them to create drawings inspired by their pool adventures. Just remember to take breaks from the water to dry off before handling any art materials.
- Sunscreen Touch-Up Game: Create a reminder game that encourages reapplying sunscreen regularly with a small reward each time they do.
10. Pool Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt in the pool will keep kids occupied for hours. Hide waterproof toys, coins, or other small treasures around the pool and give kids a list of what to find.
- Clues for Extra Fun: Add clues for older kids or make it a timed event to up the excitement level.
- Reward with Prizes: After the hunt, give a small prize to the child who finds the most items or the one who completes the hunt the fastest.
With these creative pool activities, your kids will be set to have the best summer yet while staying cool, active, and entertained. A well-maintained, safe, and engaging pool environment makes for endless summer memories. At Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we love helping families make the most of their pools, and our selection of high-quality fibreglass pools ensures everyone can enjoy the perfect backyard retreat. For more tips on pool safety, design, and maintenance, or to explore our pool options, visit our website or contact our team today!
