13 Pool Games to Keep Your Summer Parties Going

This simple party game has always been around in one form or another, and it’s always a good time. In this version, players can either wear the flamingo hats on their head or let them float in the water as they compete to see who can get more rings around the bird’s long pink neck.

What you'll need: Inflatable Flamingo Ring Toss Game ($11, amazon.com)

Whether you’re in the pool or out, everyone loves a good old fashioned game of water tag. Create a fun “Squirt Gun Station” for kids to pick out a colorful water gun or pool noodle squirter. Then, sit back and relax as they entertain themselves for hours.

What you'll need: Max Liquidator Water Blaster Set ($20, amazon.com)

The rules for this one are pretty easy: Try to knock your opponent off their log quicker than they can knock you off.

You can up the ante by allowing pairs to compete during a timed competition, or giving them a certain number of times they’re allowed to fall off before they automatically lose. But since this game can get a little carried away, consider reserving it for just the adults.

What you'll need: Sacow Inflatable Joust Set ($29, amazon.com)

This one’s great for little kids who love to put those swimming skills to the test.

First, toss plastic coins in the pool and let them sink to the bottom. Then watch as little ones dive underwater in search of the “treasure” below. Whoever gathers the most coins, wins!

You can also toss other items you might have laying around the house (like small plastic toys or poker chips) and assign them different values to make the game even more competitive.

What you'll need: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Undersea Treasure Hunt Pool Game ($17, amazon.com)

Vitoria from A Subtle Revelry suggests blowing up a giant beach ball and writing various questions in black marker on each side. Players then toss the ball around and see which question they land on. Whatever they get, they have to answer.

You could also turn this into a “Truth or Dare”-style game by writing “Truth” on one side and “Dare” on the other, and playing it pretty much as the original game goes.

What you'll need: Inflatable Beach Ball ($17, amazon.com)

If you have enough pool floats to work with, try a pool-style version of musical chairs. Place the floats in the water and play music as players “dance” through the pool. When the music stops, watch as they race to get to the nearest float and climb atop. Whoever doesn’t make it, is out. (Don’t forget to remove a pool float each time, as the game dictates.) The last swimmer left in the pool wins.

What you'll need: Donut Pool Float ($10, amazon.com)

So this one’s not exactly for the kiddies. But for adults-only pool parties, it’ll definitely be a crowd-pleaser and maybe even the main event.

This floating beer pong table holds cups for not only the players, but also for spectators, and it inflates super fast, so you can skip right over the annoying set-up.

What you'll need: GoPond Pool Lounge Beer Pong ($35, amazon.com)

If you thought shooting hoops inside the pool was fun, the Watermelon Ball will take it to the next level. Fill it with water and watch as players dribble it under water (yes, really) for a fun-filled game of basketball unlike any you’ve ever seen before.

What you'll need: Watermelon Ball ($25, amazon.com)

Splash Out! is is like a water-friendly version of Hot Potato, but better. During the timed game, players are challenged to ask questions quickly — and correctly — while passing the ball from person to person. The balloon bursts once the timer runs out, so make sure you're not the last one holding it!

What you'll need: Splash Out Game ($10, amazon.com)

Cornhole is pretty much a backyard party staple at this point. But have you ever played it in the pool? This pool-friendly version lets players compete to get more bean bags in the other team’s hole, but stay cool while they’re at it.

What you'll need: Airhead Lob the Blob Cornhole Game ($40, amazon.com)

This fun floating game was made for players of all ages, and will test your throwing skill. It can be played in teams or on your own by tossing the balls towards the floating game piece and trying to get them to land in one of its nine colorful pockets. Since each pocket has a different point value, the team with the highest score in the end wins.

What you'll need: Poolmaster Toss N’ Splash ($14, amazon.com)

This one can be played outside the pool, so long as you have a way of hanging multiple water balloons overhead. Similar to regular piñata, kids can be blindfolded and spun around before they attempt to take aim at the hanging balloons with a plastic bat and seeing how many they can pop. (Learn more over at RedTri.)

If kids are older, you can up the ante by assigning different point values to each balloon, and going by who scored the highest.

What you'll need: Self-Sealing Water Balloons ($8, amazon.com)

Better start brushing up on those jump serves — this floating volleyball net will make anyone feel like the next Gabrielle Reece. Aside from being durable and eco-friendly, it sports two adorable “palm trees” on either end that make the game even more perfect for summer.

What you'll need: iBase Toy Inflatable Pool Volleyball ($48, amazon.com)