Water Confidence – swimming activities

Feeling relaxed, happy and in control in the water.

Activities

  • Across the River Relay – A team relay across a 'river' zone where feet must not touch the floor – everyone gets their feet up and travels independently.
  • Armband Countdown – A planned, gradual reduction in buoyancy aids so swimmers discover they can float with less support.
  • Backwards Down the Steps – Teaches swimmers to use the pool steps facing the rail – the safest way in for nervous beginners.
  • Captain's Coming – A pool version of the ship game: each command is a skill – scrub the deck, man overboard, lie on deck – done as quickly as possible.
  • Car Wash – Swimmers drive through a 'car wash' of sprinkled water to get used to water on the head and face.
  • Clock Face Turns – Swimmers turn on the spot to face 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock, learning to turn their body around in the water with control.
  • Crab Walk – Sideways stepping away from the wall, building balance and independence from the side.
  • Deep Water Confidence Ladder – A step-by-step route into deep water: hold the wall, let go for a count, turn and swim back – each rung builds trust.
  • Distance Ladder – Swimmers climb a ladder of distances without buoyancy aids – 3, 5, 7 and 10 metres – building stamina and independence.
  • Fishing Net – Two helpers hold a noodle 'net' across the water; the fish must duck fully under it to escape.
  • Follow the Leader – Swimmers copy a leader's way of moving – an easy way to practise lots of travel skills in one activity.
  • Giant Steps, Fairy Steps – Varying the size and speed of steps to build balance and confidence walking in the water.
  • Home Base – Swimmers are released a few metres from the wall and make their own way 'home', building confidence to travel without support.
  • Hot Chocolate – Pretend the pool is a mug of hot chocolate – blow on it to cool it down.
  • Island Hopping – Swimmers travel between floating 'islands' without walking, building independent front and back travel over short distances.
  • Let Go of the Wall – A gradual progression from holding the wall to standing independently, using small, achievable steps.
  • Listen to the Pool – Swimmers put their ears in and listen for underwater sounds – a gentle way to get comfortable with ears under for back floating.
  • Magic Carpet – Swimmers lie on their front on a noodle or float 'carpet' and are towed around by a helper.
  • Noodle Horse Race – Swimmers 'ride' a noodle and gallop or kick forwards – a fun way to get feet off the floor.
  • Octopus Tag – Tagged swimmers become octopus arms that stay put and reach out – crossers must swim a chosen route to avoid them.
  • Pass the Parcel – A ball is passed around a circle; whoever holds it when the music stops does the skill written on the next 'layer'.
  • Pathways Chat – A short recap that introduces where swimmers can go next – club swimming, lifesaving, diving, water polo, artistic or fitness swimming.
  • Puppy Paddle – A simple alternating paddle under the water that gives swimmers their first independent arm propulsion on the front.
  • Rain Clouds – Partners take turns to 'rain' on each other with splashes and drips – social, fun and builds tolerance of water on the face.
  • Rain Hat – Swimmers pour a cup of water over their own head – giving them control builds confidence fast.
  • Reverse Parking – Swimmers walk backwards to 'park' in a space, building safe backward travel.
  • Ring of Bubbles – A circle game that combines a rhyme, holding hands and blowing bubbles – ideal for younger groups.
  • Shape Jumps – Swimmers jump in making different shapes – pencil, star and tuck – learning body control in the air and on landing.
  • Sharks and Lifeguards – Sharks try to tag swimmers crossing the pool; lifeguards can free tagged swimmers by swimming to them.
  • Sharks in the Shallows – A chase game where the only safe place is floating like a starfish – swimmers must float quickly to avoid the shark.
  • Silent Entry Challenge – Swimmers get in on their own using a controlled swivel entry, aiming to make as little splash as possible.
  • Simon Says – The classic listening game used to sneak in face wetting, bubbles and movement.
  • Sit in the Chair – Teaches safe recovery from a back float: chin forward, knees up, 'sit' and stand.
  • Sit, Swivel and Slide – A calm, controlled seated entry from the pool edge that builds the habit of getting in safely.
  • Sitting Splashes – Swimmers sit on the edge and kick with long legs – an early kick practice that also builds confidence with splashes.
  • Sleeping Starfish – A relaxed back float in a wide star shape – the go-to activity for building back floating.
  • Starfish Constellation – The group floats on their backs in a circle holding hands, making a giant star – shared support for back floating.
  • Supported Jump-In – A step-by-step progression to a first jump-in, with a helper in the water, for swimmers ready to go beyond a seated entry.
  • Swim to Me – The teacher backs away as the swimmer swims towards them, gently stretching the distance they swim without stopping.
  • Toy Blowing Race – Swimmers blow a floating toy across the water – develops controlled breathing out with the mouth at the surface.
  • Traffic Lights – A travel game where swimmers respond to colour calls – great for warm-ups and forward travel.
  • Treasure Hunt – Swimmers collect sinking 'treasure' from the pool floor – brings submersion in naturally.
  • Tuck and Stand – Recovery from a front float: knees to chest, press the water down, feet down, stand.
  • Under the Bridge – Swimmers duck under a noodle 'bridge' that is lowered a little each time.
  • Wall Monkeys – Swimmers travel sideways along the wall hand over hand, like monkeys on a branch.
  • Wash Your Face – A simple routine where swimmers scoop water and 'wash' their face, building up one feature at a time.
  • Wave Machine – Half the group makes gentle waves while the others float or travel, learning to stay calm when the water isn't flat.