Songs and Games for the Pool #3 (The Sport Addition)

For the most part, these games are going to be more targeted towards swimming groups. These are great games you could play if you are teaching swimming lessons or maybe a bunch of your friends bring your children/babies to the pool together. 

Tot Soccer

Yes! Soccer! Be excited all you Dads! 

This game is pretty self-explanatory, however the goal is to score on the other team (get the ball to touch the wall if you don't have a net) while only using your child's feet. The proper way to do this is to have them kick the water (using flutter kick) by themselves or with your assistance to push the ball to the other side by passing it around to your teammates. 

Tot Soccer Practice 

A variation of that game is to have everyone get in a circle and have your child kick the ball back and forth/ around the circle. Again, we want them to practice their flutter kick... either on their own or with your assistance. 

Tot Baseball

Have your child start out of the water and give them a small baseball sized toy/ball that floats... (Tennis balls work great). Get them to throw the ball as far as they can (work on their pitching skills) and get in the water and swim out to their ball and bring it back to the wall for a home run (Its not exactly like baseball, but trust me your kids will love it). Your kids can either do this by them selves, with noodles/ floaties, or with you! 

Water polo

Water polo is a real water sport and a great one to play with older kids to work on their eggbeater/ treading water. Set up two goal posts, either with real nets or with colourful objects marking each side. Get a ball and play! 

The goal is to score on the other team by getting the ball in the net, or between the goal posts.

The ball is not aloud underwater and you are not allowed to push other players underwater... but those are really the only major rules for a basic game of water polo. 

Sometimes when playing with larger groups I will implement a rule where the players are not allowed to move when they have the ball, forcing them to pass to other people on their team. That way everyone is sure to get a turn eventually and there are no ball hogs. 

Have Fun!

Basic IM set (1700 meters)

This is my go to set when I want a basic workout while having a lot of variety. An IM (individual medley) consists of 4 strokes... butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

If you do not know how to do butterfly feel free to substitute that stroke with something else such as freestyle(front crawl).

Note: An interval (ex 4x50m) means you swim 50 meters take a 15 sec rest and then repeat 3 more times for a total of 4. Goals should be to maintain a constant speed throughout all of the repeats in each interval.

Butterfly
100meters (m) swim
100m kick
100m pull
2x50m sprint with 15 sec rest

Backcrawl
100m swim
100m kick
100m pull
2x50m sprint with 15 sec rest

Breaststroke
100m swim
100m kick
100m pull
2x50m sprint with 15 sec rest

Freestyle (frontcrawl)
100m swim
100m kick
100m pull
2x50m sprint with 15 sec rest

100m choice cool down.

Total: 1700m

Swim workout (1400m) -> training for a 200 meter race

This workout is designed to train for a 200 meter swim race. 200 meter races can be tricky (at least Ive always thought they were; being a 100 meter sprinter) as they are a longer distance sprint event. This workout can be done in whatever stroke you are working on.

Warm up

100 meters (m) swim
50m drill
50m kick

Main set 

Note: An interval (ex 4x50m) means you swim 50 meters take a 15 sec rest and then repeat 3 more times for a total of 4. Goals should be to maintain a constant speed throughout all of the repeats in each interval.

4x50m Sprint with 15 sec rest

2x100m sprint with 20 sec rest

200m race pace 30 sec rest

2x 100m sprint with 20 sec rest

4x50m sprint with 15 sec rest

Warm down 

200m easy swim

Total: 1400 m practise

Sprint workout (1200m)

This workout can be done with whatever stroke you are currently working on.

Note: An interval (ex 4x50m) means you swim 50 meters take a 15 sec rest and then repeat 3 more times for a total of 4. Goals should be to maintain a constant speed throughout all of the repeats in each interval.

Warm up 

100meter (m) swim easy

100m kick 

100m drills (pick two of your favourite drills) 

Main set 

4x50m build with 10 sec rest (start slow finish fast) 

6x50m sprint with 20 sec rest 

4x50m fade with 10 sec rest (start fast finish slow) 

Warm down 

200m swim easy 

Total 1200meters

Tips on Submersion for Preschoolers and Children

Being comfortable with putting faces in the water is one of the biggest challenges that faces young children in swimming lessons. Children who were not introduced to the pool at a younger age will typically view putting their face underwater as a scary task. From my experience, I've noticed that children who were not introduced to the pool/being underwater by about age 3 children will have already developed fears (or acceptance and enjoyment) of being underwater. At this age you should not dunk children  because it has the potential to make their fear significantly worse by confirming their negative association with the water. At this point the child needs to choose to submerge their head at their own pace. However you can still be supportive and a little persuasive to help the process move along.

Disclaimer: Make sure your child is comfortable in the water before moving on to submersion.

Here are 3 tips on how to get your children to submerge their heads underwater.

1) Demonstrate. Make sure you are putting your face in the water to show them that its not scary. Be happy when you come back up!

2) Small steps. Encourage your child to put small parts of their face in the water little by little. Start with their chin, move on to their ears, cheeks, ect. Finish with their whole face in the water. Give praise for each small step towards the goal. Try playing simon says!

3) Tricks. Use a fun engaging task to trick them into putting their face in the water. I like to use rings (or sink toys). I start by placing them somewhere shallow where your child can pick them up without going under water. Progressively move them deeper until they have to put their face and head underwater to pick up the ring. Stairs work great if you don't have a slopped pool. Most children get so engaged in getting the ring from the bottom they will put their face in unintentionally. Be extremely happy when they do and give them the praise they deserve.


This can be either be a fast or slow process depending on your own child. You may need to get creative about what activities to use. Different children will be more engaged in certain activities than others. Check out my song and games resources for lots of suggestions for different activities.

Games and Songs for the Pool #2

More games and songs that you can use in the pool! See part 1 if you have not already.

Grand ol Duke of York.

The grand ol duke of york,

He had 10 000 men,

He marched them up to the top of the hill (everyone goes up),

And he marched them down again( everyone goes down),

And when they are up there up(go up),

And when they are down they are down (go down),

And when they are only half way up,

They are neither up (go up) or down (go down).

This song can be used to just generate a little excitement by throwing your child in the air and catching them again, OR when the song cues everyone to go down you can either practise bubbles or go underwater with your child. 

Chop Chop Timber

Plant little tree seeds (the kids) on the side of the wall,

Pour water on them while they grow,

And then chop them down ( kids fall into the water)

This is a game, no singing required. This game is a great way to work on entries ( jumping) into the water. 

If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Add verses to work on specific swim skills. For example, blowing bubbles, putting face in the water, doing a back float, etc ( really anything). 

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall. (Action: Sit on pool edge, hands outstretched, imitating big tummies)

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. (Action: Fall in)

All the king’s horses,

And all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again. (Action: Do a back float)

This song practises entires into the water (jumping) and back floats. Have your kids to it by themselves, with a noodle or with you depending on what level they are at. 

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star, 

how I wonder what you are.

 Up above the world so high,

 Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

 how I wonder what you are.

This song is good to practise back floats. Have your child look up at the ceiling with their chin back and look at the stars. They can do this independently, with a noodle or with you. Depending on where they are. 

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider ran up the waterspout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out (go underwater).
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

This song can be used to go underwater or practise bubbles if your child is not ready for submersion.  

Five Little Frogs

Five green and speckled frogs, Sat on a speckled log,
eating some most delicious bugs.

Yum, yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool,

Then there were Four green speckled frogs...

Additional verses:
Continue the song until there is only “one green and speckled frog” left.

This song can be used for entries into the water (jumping). Each time you sing the song have your child jump in the water.

The noodles discussed above can be bought on Amazon, Walmart and Big Lots. 

Games and Songs for the Pool #1

Games and songs make swimming fun for children! Games with aims can help you teach specific skills. Lots of games and songs can be adapted to work on different skills. Here are some examples of games and songs that you can use with your child in the pool with some suggestions of what to use them for. 

Bullfrog

Here’s Mr. Bullfrog
Sitting on a rock.
Along comes a little boy Mr. Bullfrog jumps kerplop!

This song is great for practicing entries into the water. Have your child jump in the water after singing the song.  

London Bridge

London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down, 

London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady—O

Build it up with sticks and stones, Sticks and stones, sticks and stones, 

Build it up with sticks and stones My fair lady—O.

Actions
Two people make a bridge. Everyone else goes under the bridge as it sinks lower and lower in the water. Then, the bridge rises up. (or use a noodle)

This song can help with submersion. Have your kids go under the noodle ( underwater) when it gets to its lowest point. Or have them blow bubbles to make the bridge go back up. 

Old McDonald Had a Pond

Old McDonald had a pond

Ee ei ee ei oh.

And in his pond he had some fish

Ee ei ee ei oh.

With a blub blub here, and a blub blub there,

Here a blub, there a blub, everywhere a blub blub

Old McDonald had a pond

Ee ei ee ei oh.

Additional verses:

• Frogs that go ribbit

• Ducks that quack

• And so on

For this song your can put some sinky animals on the bottom of the pool and have your kids go down and touch the animal that you are singing about. If you put it deep enough you can make them put their face in the water to do that. 

Little Ollie Otter

Little oli otter swimming through the water, scooping up the star fish and bonking them on the head.

Along came the sea monster,

And she said little oli otter I don’t wanna see you scooping up the the starfish and bonking them on the head,

You have 3 more chances and then I’m turning you into a bubble monster ( blow bubbles).

Then repeat until there are no more chances where you are turned into a bubble monster.

For this song can be used to practise bubbles (as indicated in song). You can take it one step forward and have them put their whole face in the water while they blow bubbles. 

Tips on Submersion for Babies and Tots

The dunking dilemma... should you and how do you dunk your children underwater. Through my time as a swim instructor, I’ve seen this task plaster a look of fear on the faces of parents and children alike. However it doesn’t have to be a scary thing. In fact it can be a positive one as long as you catch it before the fear stage.

First disclaimer: I don’t suggest doing this to any child who is 3 or older. By age 3 children usually have already made their minds up about being scared of putting their face in the water or not. At this point you need more gentle persuasion.

Second disclaimer: Make sure your child is comfortable in the water before moving on to submersion.

I’ve taught many parent and tot classes for children ages 2 and under and this age group is the ideal time for teaching children being underwater is a positive thing. It can by pass the fear all together if done correctly. You can use your strong relationship and understanding of your child to ensure they have positive experience. 

 Here are 5 tips for safely dunking your kids.

1) Only dunk your children if they are having a good time and are in a good mood. NEVER dunk your child if they are crying or scared. This will cause them to associate being underwater with negativity.

2) Don’t be jerky with your dunking. Make it a quick but smooth dunk. Jerky dunking can be very shocking for children. In fact, I bet you wouldn’t want anyone doing that to you!

3)Keep them moving. Moving your child head first through the water in an upside-down rainbow pattern (or a smile shape). This will inhibit the water from getting in their nose and mouth. 

4) Go under water with them. Demonstrating to your child how much fun going underwater is will help them become more comfortable with it.

5) Smile. When you come back up make sure you have the biggest smile, your being very positive and try generating a lot of excitement about what just happened. Games and songs are a great way of doing this as well. This will cause your child to associate going underwater with fun.

Basic Freestyle / Front crawl workout to get your heart pumping (1400m)

This is a very basic workout that will work on your general cardio level.

Warm up

50m swim

100m kick

100m pull

50m swim

Set 1:

4x100m build (start slow, pick up speed every length, finish in a sprint)

with 15 sec rests

Note: An interval (ex 4x50m) means you swim 50 meters take a 15 sec rest and then repeat 3 more times for a total of 4. Goals should be to maintain a constant speed throughout all of the repeats in each interval.

Set 2:

100m swim (fast) - 30 sec rest

200m swim (fast) – 30 sec rest

100m swim (fast) -30 sec rest

Cool down

100m kick

100m pull
100m swim

Tips on getting comfortable in the water

One of the biggest reasons why kids don’t succeed in the lower swimming levels is because they are to stiff in the water. When our bodies are stiff we sink making it extremely difficult to learn how to swim.  Being comfortable and relaxed in the water is the foundation of all swim strokes.

Here are 5 tips on getting your child comfortable in the water

1) Start young. 

Bring you baby and/or tot in the pool from a young age (4 months or older is usually a good time to start).

2) Be patient. 

Make sure you proceed slowly. If you force your child to do something they are simply not mentally ready to do you run the risk of causing a very adverse reaction towards swimming. Remember small bite size steps.

3) Make it a positive experience. 

Play games, sing songs and don’t forget to smile. Your children can pick up on your emotions; so make sure you appear to be having a good time.

4) Recognition. 

Remember to recognize all small accomplishments that your child makes. Whether those actions were done intentionally or not is insignificant.  For example, if they get their face wet because they got splashed, don’t go wipe their face off and comfort them. You need to congratulate them for their fantastic job getting their face wet. It sounds funny but I can tell you from experience that this makes or breaks a child’s positive reaction to the water.

5) Encourage exploration. 

Trying new things in the water will help your child get more comfortable and be able to ‘ride the wave of new experiences’. Try suggesting, but not forcing, new activities on them. For example you can pretend you see some fish on the bottom of the pool when you put your face in and they have to put their face in the water to be able them to. If they put there face in the water fantastic! If they don’t, try a new activity.