8 games to play in the paddling pool to make your life easier

Thank goodness for the paddling pool in this weather! When all the siblings are in the pool (it's very important that an adult is watching as even adults can drown in something as shallow as a bath) they can usually entertain themselves for long enough before I have to break up a sibling disagreement, but when there is only one or even just two in the pool, entertainment comes down to me. Here are 8 games I play, some with me in the pool, and some I can do from the side lines.

1. Whirlpool

   Their pool is 10ft and deep enough that they can swim in it, so I have been getting in my exercise by "running" a km in around the edge of the pool. When I get half way, I turn back the other way so I avoid getting too dizzy, but the effect is that the pool turns into a sort of lazy river. The upside is, the resistance training it gives me has a positive effect on my running out of the water too.

2. Swimming through my legs

   I stand with my legs as wide as possible and they swim through. If they can do it without brushing my ankles of calves, I move on of my feet a couple of centimetres in, making it more difficult. We repeat until they can no longer swim through.

3. Shark

   The shark has to close their eyes and the fish have to get from one side to the other without getting caught by the shark. We also play a dry version of this called crab, which is the same principle but from one side of the room to the other. Whoever gets caught then becomes the crab or shark.

4. Swim like a....

   Just travelling across the pool as different aquatic mammals, fish or birds. Can they cross like a penguin? crocodile? octopus?

5. Paddling Pool Yoga

   Bring a little calm to the pool, can they float like a star? can they balance like a tree? can they stand on one leg like a flamingo?

6. Hold your breath

   How long can you hold your breath? We just count so not entirely accurate, but then they try and beat their own score. You have to know the children well here, and make sure they come up for air when they need it.

7. Catch

   We usually do this with spare goggles but balls work too! This is usually when I am sat on the side lines, works with several siblings and just one. I through it in but try and get it in the water, and they have to try and stop it getting in the water.

8. Splashless

   Again when you need a moment of calm, and they also need to slow down a bit, can they swim/get around the pool without making any splashes or making as least ripples as possible. Time them and then repeat to see how fast they can do this without making splashes.

Before they get in the pool, make sure they have sun cream on. Bring towels down before hand too, to prevent the house getting into a slippery wet room, provide cold water to drink throughout the afternoon as well as bringing out refreshing snacks such as carrot sticks and cucumber sticks or watermelon slices to keep them hydrated and cool!

Enjoy the summer in the paddling pool!

Love Nanny Kat x