Pool Rules for Kids: How to Teach Them So They Stick

The pool rules that matter most are few and simple: ask a grown-up first, swim only when an adult is watching, go in feet first, no breath-holding games, stay away from drains, and get help instead of jumping in to save someone. Children remember short rules they practice often, far better than a long list they hear once.

Rules are one layer of protection. They help children make safer choices, but they never replace an adult watching and a fence around the pool.

Six rules that matter most

No. 2

Here they are in kid-friendly words. Post them by the pool, or print the Family Water Safety Pledge for your child to sign.

1. "I ask a grown-up before I go near water."
2. "I only swim when a grown-up is watching."
3. "I go in feet first."
4. "I don't play breath-holding games."
5. "I stay away from drains."
6. "If someone needs help, I shout for a grown-up and throw something that floats. I don't jump in."

Most pools also post their own rules, such as where to walk and where diving is allowed. Read them together when you arrive.

Ask before you go near water

This is the most important rule for younger children. The Red Cross says to teach children to always ask permission to go near water (opens in a new tab).

Pair it with the rule for adults: only swim when supervised by a water watcher (opens in a new tab) (Red Cross). Children should know who the watcher is. A Water Watcher card or lanyard makes it easy to point to.

Add a fence rule too. Pool Safely says to teach children to never try to climb over the gate or fence (opens in a new tab).

Feet first, and no breath-holding games

Feet first. The Red Cross rule is do not enter head first unless in a pool that has a safe diving area (opens in a new tab). Never dive into an above-ground pool. See above-ground pool safety.

No breath-holding games. "Who can stay under longest?" sounds harmless. It isn't. CDC says do not hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold your breath underwater for long periods of time. This can cause you to pass out and drown (opens in a new tab). A child who passes out underwater may look like they're still playing. Ban these games for everyone, including strong swimmers and teens.

Buddy up. The Red Cross says always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone (opens in a new tab).

Stay away from drains

Pool Safely says do not play or swim near drains or suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools (opens in a new tab), because children's hair, limbs, jewelry or bathing suits can get stuck (opens in a new tab). Teach children to tell an adult if they see a drain cover that is loose, broken or missing. More in drain entrapment.

If someone is in trouble: get help, don't jump in

Children want to help, and some jump in after a friend. Teach them a safer way. The Red Cross teaches "reach or throw, don't go" (opens in a new tab).

For kids, that means:

• Shout for a grown-up right away.
• Throw something that floats, like a ring buoy, kickboard or noodle, from the edge.
• Stay out of the water.

The AAP says older children also should learn what to do if they see someone else in the water who is struggling, and how to get help (opens in a new tab). The Reach or Throw, Don’t Go game lets kids practice the idea, and our guide to reach, throw, don't go explains it for adults.

Teaching rules through games and practice

Children learn by doing. Try these:

• Play "Safe or not?" Describe a scene ("Your ball rolls into the pool and no grown-up is around. What do you do?") and let them answer. Our Safe or Not? game does the same online.
• Practice at the pool. Before swimming, walk the rules together: find the watcher, find the drains, show where to go in feet first.
• Quiz in the car on the way to the pool. The Water Safety Quiz game works for older kids.
• Praise it when you see them follow a rule: "You asked first. Great job."
• Keep it calm. Explain the "why" in simple words, without scary stories.

Our kids' games collect no personal information and have no ads. For more on starting the conversation, see talking to kids about water safety.

Rules for older kids and visitors

Older children need rules that match their independence:

• Check in. Agree on when they check in with you at a public pool or party.
• Know your limits. Teens may overestimate their skills. The AAP notes that adolescents may overestimate their swimming skills, misjudge the seriousness of water hazards or engage in risky and impulsive behaviors (opens in a new tab).
• Close the door. The AAP suggests teaching older children to always close the door behind them so younger children don't follow them out (opens in a new tab).
• Learn CPR. The AAP says everyone, including parents, caregivers and older children, should learn CPR and safe rescue techniques (opens in a new tab).

Visiting children don't know your rules. Go over them at the start of every swim, and post them where everyone can see. See how to host a safe pool party.

What you can do today

1. Pick your family's rules from the six above and write them on a card by the pool.
2. Sign the Family Water Safety Pledge together.
3. Play one game tonight: the Safe or Not? game or a car quiz.
4. Practice "shout and throw" with a ring buoy or noodle at your next swim.
5. Check age-specific tips in water safety for kids 5 to 12, and read public pool safety before your next trip.