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Home › Articles › Family Fitness › Pool Party

Pool Party

Get Fit, Have Fun and Stay Cool in the Pool

By Shel Franco

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Ducking under the water to avoid a tag is OK if you are certain the skill level of those playing is appropriate.
  • Blindfolds aren't completely necessary, but they do eliminate the classic complaint of "You're peaking!"
    • Sharks and Minnows
    Who plays?
    This game is best played with three players, but two can play with a slight variation (see Quick Tips).

    How do you play?
    One player is named the shark. The other players are minnows. The shark takes up residence in the middle of the pool. The minnows flock to the wall. With the minnows lined up, one hand touching the wall, the shark yells, "1, 2, 3 minnow!" or "Lunchtime!" or "I'm hungry!" or whatever else you please. On that signal, the minnows race past the shark to the other side of the pool. If a minnow touches the other wall, he or she is safe. However, if the shark tags a minnow before he or she makes it to the other side, then the minnow becomes a shark and joins the original shark in the middle of pool. The game goes on until only one minnow is left. That minnow is declared the winner and can choose the next shark.

    Quick tips

    • Underwater swimming can be an unfair advantage when you're playing with children who can't swim under the water. Forgo the underwater swimming unless everyone can participate.
    • Older players can close their eyes while being the shark to increase the difficulty for them and to level the playing field for younger minnows. This also creates a game that can be played with only two participants.
    • Watch for fear in the youngest players. It can be scary to be pursued by a "shark" even if it's only Daddy. Keep things light and fun. Skip the roars and scary faces.
    Dive!
    Who plays?
    Pages:  1  2  3  


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