Water Safety Games

These games and activities can be easily implemented in any child or youth program. From daycares to first aid and babysitting course providers, these games and activites will help make essential water safety education part of your program!

Marlin's Coming!

Dry Activity

Recommended for groups 10yrs+

A play on the classic game "Captain's Coming" where one person acts as the Marlin and calls out water safety-themed commands, each requiring a specific action from the other players. Optional commands include:

"Freestyle" - all players will walk around using freestyle stroke arms.
"Backstroke" - all players will walk around using backstroke arms.
"Breaststroke" - all players will walk around using breaststroke arms.
"Swim with a Buddy" - each player needs to stand with a partner, shoulder to shoulder.
"Drowning Swimmer" - each player lays on the ground with their arm outstretched to another player simulating a rescue.
"Suntan" - all players lay on their back, eyes closed.
"Distracted Adult" - all players simulate being on their phone.

This game does very well in courses and programs for pre-teens/young teenagers (i.e. babysitting courses).

Rescue Throw Relay

Dry Activity

Recommended for groups 6yrs+

Equipment. You will need the following items for each team:

Ring buoy or throw bag
Lifejacket (large enough for each player to don)
Cone/pylon

The starting player, for each team, at the start of the whistle, will don the lifejacket including all zippers and buckles. once the lifejacket is on properly, they will take the ring buoy and try to "lasso" the cone. Once the cone has been lassoed, the player will pull the ring buoy back in, hand-over-hand, doff the lifejacket and pass everything to the next player. The first team to get through all players wins.

For younger groups, use a lighter throw bag and aim for a cone "hit".

Pool Safety Relay

Wet Activity

Recommended for groups 2yrs+ (can be modified for older groups)

Equipment you will need for each team:

Lifejacket large enough for all players to don.
Sprinkler or very shallow kiddie pool
Optional: hat and sunglasses
At least 2 adults to help

The starting player, for each team, at the start of the whistle, will don the lifejacket including all zippers and buckles and any other equipment. Once everything is on properly, they will run over to the sprinkler or puddle, high-five the adult to ask to go in the water and then run through the sprinkler/kiddie pool on the way back to their team. The first team to get through all players wins.

If you have access to a pool, you could include a swim instead of a sprinkler.

WaterSmart Colouring Pages

Dry Activity

Lifesaving Society - Manitoba Branch has some great resources for colouring! Click the image above to be taken to their webpage.