Name
Dumpy in the Dingas
Core Skill
Going underwater, breath control, and building comfort in the water through playful interaction.
Who
Toddlers in Levels 1 and Guppies (ages 2–4) who are working on going underwater. Best for one-on-one instruction.
What
This game is great for toddlers who are afraid of going underwater or need some motivation to do so. It helps them practice breath control, buoyancy, and coordination. The game is fun and humorous, and it creates a positive, trusting relationship between the toddler and the instructor.
How
Dumpy in the Dingas is a silly and playful game that encourages toddlers to go underwater and laugh with their instructor. The game is based on a funny phrase that means nothing but sounds hilarious to kids. It is simple and easy to play, and it only requires two players: a toddler and an instructor.
To play the game, you will need:
- A pool or a large tub filled with water
- A toddler who can stand or sit in the water
- An instructor who can swim and dive underwater
Here are the steps to play the game:
- The instructor asks the toddler to go underwater by saying, “Can you go underwater for me?”
- If the toddler does not go underwater, they must laugh, push the instructor in the chest, and say “Dumpy in the Dingas!”
- The instructor then goes underwater and asks the toddler “Why?!” in a funny voice.
- The instructor comes back up and asks the toddler to go underwater again by saying, “Can you go underwater for me now?”
- If the toddler does go underwater, both of them shout “Dumpy in the Dingas!” and celebrate.
- If the toddler does not go underwater again, the instructor laughs and tells the toddler to say “Dumpy in the Dingas!” again.
- The toddler then pushes the instructor underwater and tries to follow them.
- The game continues until the toddler is comfortable with going underwater or wants to stop.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Some toddlers may be too shy or scared to push the instructor or say the phrase. In that case, the instructor can model the action first by gently pushing themselves or using a puppet to demonstrate. If the child refuses to go underwater at all, keep the game light and playful—don't force it. The goal is to build trust, not pressure. Also, watch for overstimulation: the laughter and pushing can get intense, so take breaks if needed.
We hope you like this game idea and try it with your toddler. If you want more examples of swimming games for toddlers, check out the other games on this website. Have fun and be creative!