Name
Going underwater is one of the essential swim skills. It is the foundation of all other activities; they all build off of a learner's ability to go under.
I recommend a loving, caring, trusting environment for learning to go underwater.
Swimming Ideas classifies "Level 1" as the core place for learners ages 3+ to master "going underwater."
In this post we're going to review the best challenges and games for swimming lessons to encourage learners to go underwater with joy.
Core Skill
Going underwater, breath control, and comfort with submersion.
Who
Level 1 swimmers (ages 3+) who are learning to go underwater. Also suitable for beginners of any age.
What
A collection of 18 challenges and games designed to make going underwater fun and less intimidating. Each activity builds comfort and confidence through play.
How
Buckethead / Bucket-shoulder
Rules: You must say "Bucket-head" or "bucket-shoulder." Start with the swimmer pouring the water on the parent or instructor's head. "I want a bucket-shoulder." Ask, "Do you want a bucket-head or a bucket-shoulder?" Whatever they say, follow through. Shoulder = pour water over their shoulders from the bucket shouting "BUCKET-SHOULDER" while laughing. Head = pour water over your head by yelling "BUCKETHEAD!" and laughing a lot!
Bubbles and Bobs
Blow bubbles for five seconds. Bob the same number of times as you are old, up to 10 times.
Kiss the Water
Demonstrate first. Kiss the water with an audible smack. Encourage your swimmers to kiss the surface of the water and progressively get more and more of their lips underwater. Younger swimmers are familiar with a "kiss" and by doing this action it removes anxiety with going underwater and the discomfort it sometimes brings.
Bake a Cake
One of the best dynamic games filled with opportunities to go underwater. Variants include "make a pizza," "make a taco," "bake muffins (with rings)."
- Get a hula hoop, or a circular object and make that your "cake."
- Have swimmers circle around the hula hoop and hold the sides.
- Take turns asking each swimmer what they would like in their cake. Example: "Susie, what would you like in your cake?" "CHOCOLATE!" "Ok, let's put some chocolate in the cake!"
- Take turns splashing water into the hula hoop and repeat "Put some chocolate into our cake!"
- After each swimmer has put their own ingredient into the cake, have each swimmer grab the edge of the hula hoop and push it down to their feet to "put the cake in the oven." Encourage each swimmer to put their nose, mouth, or face in the water while doing so.
- Do another short activity while the cake "bakes."
- Have a swimmer, or swimmers check the cake by putting their face, lips, or nose in the water. Ask, "Is the cake done? Is it ready to eat?"
- Have swimmers reach down to the sunken hula hoop to their shoulders, or noses if they can, and slowly, heavily, lift the "cake" to the surface.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Some children may be hesitant to put their face in the water, especially during "Bake a Cake" when asked to submerge. Start with just the nose or lips and gradually increase. For "Buckethead," ensure the child is comfortable with water being poured on them—always let them choose the option. Keep the atmosphere playful and never force submersion.
Big Bad Wolf
While floating on a noodle or life jacket, use your breath to blow a ping pong ball from one bench to the other.
- No hands or feet allowed to move the ball—just the power of their breath.
- The first to reach the destination wins!
Ring around the Rosie
“Ring around the rosie, pockets full of poesy, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!”
Make sure instructor is low in the water, not standing. At “Fall down” all go underwater.
Treasure Hunt
Pile as many floating toys as you can on a kickboard.
Sail it out to sea together. Have a storm strike. Waves, splashing. Spread the toys around the pool.
Do supported front glides to collect toys and return to the kick board (boat).
Mushroom Man Game
Get to the mushroom without any falling water touching you.
Must go underwater to get to the mushroom man and get a reward.
Reward is a chance to dance around the mushroom while being rained on.
London Bridges Falling Down
London Bridges Falling Down
Push the YELLOW floating mats against the wall so that it creates a bridge.
With every verse lower it slowly.
Instructor sings the song.
Parents and swimmers go through either doing a front glide or a back glide. Their choice, or instructors.
Pick up Rings
Pick up Rings
Give swimmer 6 rings and have them get them with:– Foot– Hand– Shoulder underwater– Lips in the water.– With a foot, but both hands above water.
Splash and Sing
The instructor or parent will demonstrate how to splash the water with their hands and sing a song. Then they will show how to put their face in the water and blow bubbles while humming the same song. They will encourage the children to copy them and praise them for their efforts. The instructor or parent can also ask the children to guess what song they are humming when their face is in the water.
Sing any song that the child knows like “Twinkle Twinkle” and start above water. Slowly go under and see if they know the song.
Challenge: Hurdles and Limbos
Challenge: Singing in the Rain
Setup
Instructions
- Instruct swimmers to stand under each water feature—waterfall, spout, or spray—and sing a song for a few seconds.
- Ensure each swimmer visits at least three different water features to complete the challenge.
- For swimmers uncomfortable with water on their face, have them place their hand under the water feature and sing the word “Next” to simulate the experience.
- If no splashpad is available, use buckets or spouts to manually pour water for the swimmers. You can even use different color buckets.
Challenge: Secret Messages
To play the game, start by choosing two players: one to be the messenger and the other to be the guesser. Both players go underwater at the same time. The messenger says a goofy or silly word loudly underwater. When they come back up, the guesser has to say what word or message they think the messenger said. To make guessing easier, consider choosing a theme, like animals or fruits. The instructor can provide suggestions to the speaker each round, ensuring a different word for each participant, or let the swimmer choose.
Challenge: Car Wash
Challenge – Toe Lift
Lift one foot out of the water, including all five toes.
Challenge – Spin
Spin in a circle with your whole head above water without touching the ground. Do it again 2x. Do it again without using your hands! and again with 10 toes above the water.
Challenge: Sit on the bottom
Sit on the bottom with legs crossed and hands on knees. Hold for 2 seconds.
BONUS: put your nose and belly on the bottom at the same time. Hold for 2 seconds.