Six fun Halloween themed games to use in swimming lessons
Halloween is just around the corner, so the Swim England Learn to Swim team has put together games to use in your swimming lessons. We hope all your learners enjoy taking part in these games and we’d love to hear your feedback on how your lessons went.
Mixing potions
Learners should form a large circle, the teacher puts ingredients (floating objects) into the centre of the circle. The learners run around in the circle in the same direction, not letting the floating toys leave the circle. When the teacher shouts 'witches potion' the learners change direction, trying to keep the ingredients in the centre of the circle.
Equipment
- Floating toys.
Adaptability
- Easier: Smaller circles can be done for the lower stages and floatation equipment can be used.
- Harder: Learner's perform a forwards paddle.
Rules and Safety considerations
- Be aware of the slippery floor and when the change of direction occurs ensure the learners are aware of the momentum of the water.
- Ensure the lower stages are wearing floatation aids.
Stages applicable
- All Stages.
Skeleton Races
Learners get into pairs and each put a noodle in front under their arms.One learner holds the end of the other learner's noodle at the ends and stands behind them. When the teacher shouts 'swim skeletons', the learner at the front of the pair can only paddle their arms and the learner at the back can only kick their legs. Pairs must race to the other end of the station or around a course.
Equipment
- Noodles.
Adaptability
- Easier: Put the learners side by side on the same noodle and both can use their arms and legs, whilst still keeping their noodle under their arms.
- Harder: The learner who is at the back can remove their noodle but must still hold the noodle in front of them.
Rules and Safety considerations
- The learner at the front of the pair should not kick their legs.
Stages applicable
- Stage 3 onwards.
Pumpkin Patch
With the use of floats that represent pumpkins or blow-up pumpkins toys, learners should travel across the station with their pumpkin to place it on the pumpkin patch area.
Equipment
- Pumpkin toys.
- Floats.
Adaptability
- Easier: Hold the toy and run across the pool floor.
- Harder: Learners push it along the water's surface, whilst paddling.
- Harder: Positioned in a line, learners should throw the pumpkin down the line.
Rules and Safety considerations
- Positioned in a line, learners should throw the pumpkin down the line.
Stages applicable
- All Stages.
Trick or Treat
The teacher has a bowl full of 'trick' and 'treat' laminated cards. Learners take turns to pick one from the bowl. 'Trick' cards are linked to different types of floating. 'Treat' cards are different Halloween jumps (jump in like a ghost, witch, spider).
Equipment
- Laminated cards.
- Pumpkin bowl.
Adaptability
- Each learner picks a trick or treat and together they make a Halloween routine.
Rules and Safety considerations
- Ensure enough space when jumping in.
Stages applicable
- Stage 2 and 3.
Haunted Castle
Split the learners up in two teams. One member of the team sits on the side with the others on the opposite side of the pool in the water. The teacher sets a time limit for all of the learners to be "rescued" from the haunted castle. The learner on the side swims across the pool with the float and "rescues" a learner and brings them back to the starting point. The rescued learner travels back across the pool to "rescue" the next learner. The team continues until all of the learners have been rescued from the haunted house.
Equipment
- Two large floats or noodles.
Adaptability
- Easier: Learners can walk or run through the water.
- Harder: Treading water whilst waiting to be rescued.
Rules and Safety considerations
- Be aware of other teams, ensure that they stay in their own area.
Stages applicable
- All Stages.
Creepy Cobwebs
Create 'cobweb obstacles' under and on top of the water. Learners need to travel through the obstacles under and over the water and past all of the cobwebs.
Equipment
- Large sinking hoops.
- Sinkers.
- Seaweed.
- Thin scarves (can be attached to sinkers or sinking hoops to give cobweb effect).
- Seaweed toys.
Adaptability
- Easier: Position most of the obstacles on top of the water and a small amount under the water.
- Harder: Can be done in shallow or deeper water.
Rules and Safety considerations
- Ensure learners take regular breaths.
- Spread out the obstacles to ensure learners cannot get tangled in the 'cobwebs'.
Stages applicable
- All Stages.