Water games help kids lose their fear of water while underscoring the connection between swimming and fun. The games here have been adapted from a number of sources, the best being The INCOMPLETE BOOK OF TRAINING GAMES & GIMMICKS by Bob Steele (available from the author for $7.50 at P.O. Box 632, Cascade, Colorado 80909). Most of them work nicely with six or more participants, but you can make them suit the number, ages and skill levels of your family. Remember: An adult can quickly come down to kid level by swimming one-armed, and a kid's speed can be boosted with a pair of fins.
Before you jump in, there are several things to consider; the first, last and most important of which is safety. Always maintain a high adult-to-child ratio, taking as a basic rule of thumb that the younger the children, the more adult supervisors you need. Minimize diving and jumping into the pool; simply keep the games in the water. For complete information on swimming safety, your local American Red Cross chapter can provide its SWIMMING AND AQUATIC SAFETY handbook ($8).
As you play, remember the faster the pace, the more the game will hold the kids' interest. Another trick is to vary the games so that everyone can do something well.
