Nothing says summer quite like a pool party: cool water, warm sun and a lively crowd bouncing between splashing around and clinking glasses. With the right games, a day at the pool turns into the boozy highlight of summer. What makes drinking games in the pool work is combining water, movement and cooling off with the party — in the pool and around the poolside. Here you'll find the best pool party drinking games with full instructions, plus the key safety tips for celebrating by the water.
Last updated: 6 June 2024
What makes a good drinking game in the pool? A game that involves the pool and the water — sometimes in the pool, sometimes at the poolside — and delivers cooling off and fun in equal measure. Chasing, throwing and skill games with unbreakable gear work best, with the loser taking a sip. Important: drinking only happens outside the water.
💡 By the way: this is exactly why we built the wooden mini skis — combined with a shot glass and binding, they become the original wearable ski. More on that below ↓
Drinking Games in the Pool
Marco Polo (Drinking Edition)
The pool classic with a twist: one player closes their eyes and calls "Marco", everyone else has to answer "Polo". Going by sound alone, the seeker tries to tag someone. Whoever gets tagged is up next — and takes a sip at the poolside. Guaranteed to bring on the shrieking and laughter.
Water Volleyball with a Drinking Rule
Two teams, one ball, an imaginary or actually strung net across the pool. Play volleyball as normal — but the team that concedes a point takes a sip at the poolside. That turns the water game into a boozy contest where the cool-down is built right in.
The Diving Bet
A calmer game: who can hold their breath longest in the shallow end, or retrieve the most (sinking) game tokens scattered on the bottom in a single dive? The loser takes a sip. Important: shallow water only, always supervised, and never after drinking.
A shared Shotski round at the festival, no bands in sight … – @apresallstars
Good to know: the wooden Miniskis only come into their own with a shot glass and binding — that's what turns them into the original wearable ski.
Poolside Drinking Games
Floating Beer Pong
Beer pong with a summer twist: instead of sitting on a table, the cup rack floats on an inflatable holder in the pool. Players take turns throwing the ball from opposite sides of the pool into the floating cups. A hit means drink up — at the poolside, naturally. First to clear their cups wins. The showstopper of any pool party.
The Lilo Race (Pool Float Race)
Two teams race each other across the pool — one player at a time paddles on the lilo, swaps at the far end, and the next one takes over. The losing team takes a shared sip. Expect chaos and laughter when the floats start drifting off course.
Poolside Categories
For the laid-back round with your feet in the water: one player names a summer category ("cocktails", "ice cream flavours", "things that float"). Going around the group, everyone names an example without repeating one already said. Whoever hesitates takes a sip. No equipment needed, and it fits perfectly into the chill phase.
Safety First: Water & Alcohol
As much fun as a pool party is, mixing water and alcohol calls for extra care — this is about more than just good manners. The most important rule: drinking only happens outside the water, never while swimming. Alcohol impairs coordination and judgement, and that combination can turn genuinely dangerous in the water. Anyone who's had a drink should skip diving and swimming in the deep end — which is why the more active water games like the diving bet belong at the start, before things get boozy. Keep an eye on each other too, especially when a lot of people are in the pool at once. At the poolside, stick to unbreakable cups and gadgets only, since broken glass around a wet pool is a real hazard. Provide shade and plenty of water to counter the sun and heat, and apply sunscreen — you burn faster by the water than you'd think. Follow these rules and you'll have a pool day everyone remembers with a smile.
Tips for Your Pool Party
- Never swim while drunk: drinking only happens outside the water; diving and swimming only when sober.
- Watch out for each other: keep an eye on things, especially with lots of guests in the pool.
- No glass by the pool: use unbreakable cups and gadgets only.
- Sun protection & water: apply sunscreen, create shade and drink plenty of water.
- Play alcohol-free too: every game works just as well with a spritzer or juice, so everyone can join in.
Tip from experience: labelling one of the four blank discs on the Miniski Roulette with your own group's inside jokes turns every evening into a game of its own.
More Drinking Game Inspiration
You'll find more game rules in the best drinking games and drinking games without equipment. For the beach, try the beach drinking games, and for a bigger celebration, the summer drinking games.
FAQ
Which drinking games work for a pool party?
Games in the water like Marco Polo, water volleyball with a drinking rule and the diving bet, plus poolside games like Floating Beer Pong, the lilo race and poolside categories.
Are you allowed to drink while playing in the pool?
No — drinking only happens outside the water. Alcohol and swimming are a dangerous combination, so the rule is: out of the pool first, then cheers.
What is Floating Beer Pong?
Beer pong in the pool: the cup rack floats on an inflatable holder in the water, and the ball is thrown in from the poolside. Drinking happens at the poolside — the showstopper of any pool party.
What should I watch out for at a pool party?
The most important rule: never swim or dive while drunk. Beyond that, unbreakable cups instead of glass, sun protection, plenty of water and looking out for each other.
Which drinking gadget suits the pool?
Unbreakable wooden gadgets like Miniskis worn around the neck or a Miniski Roulette. They avoid the glass risk at a wet poolside.
Do the games work without alcohol too?
Yes, every drinking game in the pool works just as well with a spritzer, juice or water. Right by the pool, an alcohol-free version is often the smarter choice for safety reasons.
Related articles:
The best drinking games ·
Beach drinking games ·
Summer drinking games