Gohlke

This weekend is traditionally the biggest weekend of the year for pool use. And with Independence Day falling on a Friday this year — which makes for a three-day weekend — the emphasis on pool use and backyard parties will be even greater.

Hopefully, by now your plans are in place for this weekend — the yard is mowed, the food is planned, the guests are invited and the pool is ready.

Although providing a pool and some food is usually enough for your guests, activities like pool games can really add to the party. Following are a few pool games to help make your Fourth of July party one to be remembered:

Relay races —Use red, white and blue plastic streamers to separate swimming lanes.

Dive games —Dive rings and sticks are available at most pool supply stores, many of which are open today.

Chicken fights —Most of us have participated in chicken fights, but try chicken fight tag or chicken fight races from one end of the pool to another.

Sharks and Minnows — This game is good for a large group. One person is the shark and starts in the middle of the pool. All other players are minnows and start out of the water on one side of the deck. The shark shouts, "Minnow!" The minnows must jump in and try to swim to the other side of the pool without being tagged by the shark. The minnows that get tagged become sharks and the game repeats until only one minnow remains. That person starts a new game as the shark.

Inner tube Race— Each participant sits in an inner tube at one end of the pool. The participants race to the other end of the pool.

Scuba relay — Gather two sets of scuba gear — flippers, snorkel and mask — and form two teams. At go, the first player on each team puts on her team’s gear, jumps into the pool, swims to the other side and back, gets out of the water and removes the gear. Then the next player does the same. The first team to finish wins. This game can also be played with t-shirts, shorts and socks.

Water volleyball —Volleyball games are available at most pool supply stores. Some pool owners purchase a regulation net and anchor it to fence posts, trees, etc. allowing the net to cross over the pool.  Either way, it is a great game for larger groups.

Water basketball —Basketball goals are also available at most pool supply stores. This game is better for small groups.

Water baseball — Typically, it is played in the shallow end of the pool with bases being approximately 10 feet to 15 feet apart. A ball hit out of the far end of the pool is usually considered a homerun.

Water football —This game is self-explanatory and is also quite fun.

Many more similar pool games are available online — try www.thesource4ym.com/games/swim.asp.

As you enjoy your weekend around the pool, please do not forget about pool safety.  Many drownings and accidents occur during parties. Children are often ignored while parents socialize. It is probably too late to hire a lifeguard for this weekend, but at least consider having adults take shifts being the pool monitor — even provide a whistle if you feel it is necessary.