Asked By: Sheila from Betterton, MD
A: Looking for fun youth group water games to play at the lake? From classics to floating challenges, we created this list of our favorite lake games to play in the water. Kids of all ages are sure to have a blast at your next lakehouse gathering with these fun activities.
Note: Always supervise your kiddos when they are in the water. Stay vigilant and equip them with life vests or lake floaties to keep them safe. If your child cannot swim, do not let them enter the water without you, and stick to the shallows where they can comfortably stand on the bottom.
Sharks & Minnows
Like tag, Sharks & Minnows starts with two teams: The Sharks are “it,” while the Minnows try to avoid getting tagged. One to three players start as Sharks and must try to tag the Minnows as they swim back and forth across the pond. Once a Minnow gets tagged, they join the Shark team until only one Minnow remains as the winner.
Marco Polo
Arguably the most iconic water game, Marco Polo will surely get everyone in the group laughing and having a blast. One person starts as Polo and must close their eyes (or wear a blindfold) while calling out “Marco!”. The rest of the participants respond “Polo!” and try to avoid getting tagged.
Chicken
This rough-and-tumble game is best for older kids and teenagers and is only suitable for playing in the shallows. Four participants at a time split into two teams of two. On each team, one person sits atop the other’s shoulders, and the two teams joust or wrestle to bring the other down. The first person to fall in the water loses, and their team is replaced with the next two-person team.
Sing or Swim
A fun game for floating docks and pontoons, Sing or Swim requires two participants, a rope, and some music. Both players hold each end of the rope while one of the players leans back over a deeper part of the pond. A song sample is played, and the person leaning back must complete the lyrics in a certain amount of time. If they get the lyrics wrong or take too long, the other player releases the rope, causing the first person to fall back with a splash!
Inflatable Lake Toys
Increase the fun and expand the number of water games you can play by investing in floating lake toys like trampolines and water slides. You can set up a challenging aquatic obstacle course with rolling logs and climbing floats and time each participant to determine the winner. Set up a floating pontoon or trampoline and a panel of judges and challenge your kiddos to see who can do the best flips, dives, and other tricks.
More Lake Life Tips
The possibilities for lakeside fun are endless for all ages. If you want to keep your lake in excellent condition for worry-free swimming summer after summer, The Pond Guy can help. Contact us on the web or by phone at 866-POND-HELP for water quality advice from the pros.
Check out these related lakefront management articles:
The Benefits of Having a Pond or Lake
Which Pond Dye is Safe for Swimming?
How to Control Muck in Swimming Ponds
Last Updated: April 3, 2025