Fun Water Games for Babies: Enhancing Your Weekly Lesson

Babies are naturally drawn to bright, colourful objects. Floating toys serve as both entertainment and practical tools during baby swimming Lessons in Coffs Harbour, which parents attend.

How it helps:

• Encourages reaching and grasping, supporting hand-eye coordination.
• Promotes movement through the water, building strength and body awareness.
• Keeps babies focused and happy, reducing any nerves they may feel.

Try floating a few lightweight toys nearby and gently moving them just out of your baby’s reach to encourage swimming motions. Parents can also use toys as visual targets during short glides, helping babies learn to stretch and propel themselves through the water.

Once babies discover their legs can make splashes, they often love kicking as part of their swimming lesson routine. Kicking races are a playful way to harness that energy.

How it helps:

• Strengthens leg muscles, essential for swimming.
• Teaches rhythm and coordination through repetitive kicking.
• Adds a fun sense of accomplishment as babies “race” alongside others.

Parents can hold babies under their arms, supporting them on their backs or fronts, while encouraging gentle kicks. For a fun twist, sing songs like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” to set the pace, turning the activity into a rhythmic game.

Peek-a-boo has always been a favourite game for babies, and it can easily become part of your swimming routine. With careful guidance from qualified instructors, parents can introduce gentle submersions that include popping back up with a big smile and joyful greeting.

How it helps:

• Builds trust and comfort with brief underwater movements.
• Reinforces breath-holding skills in a gentle, playful way.
• Turns an unfamiliar sensation into a positive experience.

Keep it short and sweet—always follow the guidance of your swim instructor for submersion techniques suitable for your baby’s age and comfort level. For many Boambee families, consistent exposure to one familiar pool helps babies feel secure enough to try these small underwater games.

Songs are a powerful tool during baby swimming lessons, which families enjoy. Music captures a baby’s attention and adds a familiar element to each session.

How it helps:

• Encourages movement through simple actions like splashing, swaying, or kicking.
• Provides comfort and routine, particularly when the same songs are repeated weekly.
• Makes learning feel joyful rather than structured.

Songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It” or “Humpty Dumpty” can be paired with gentle movements in the water. Babies quickly begin to associate these songs with swimming time, helping ease transitions into the water and reducing anxiety.

Simple games involving pouring water over hands, arms, or heads can help babies become more comfortable with the sensation of water running over their face and body.

How it helps:

• Desensitises babies to water trickling over their face.
• Builds tolerance for splashes and small submersions.
• Develops sensory awareness in a gentle way.

Use small cups or watering cans designed for pool play. Start by pouring water over your baby’s arms and gradually introduce pouring over their shoulders and head if they’re comfortable. For Boambee parents looking for gentle, nurturing lessons, these small steps are an excellent way to build water confidence over time.

Babies love rhythmic movements. Bouncing gently in the water or swaying side to side creates a soothing sensation reminiscent of being rocked in a parent’s arms.

How it helps:

• Helps babies relax and settle in the water.
• Introduces motion and water buoyancy in a non-scary way.
• Enhances parent-child bonding through physical closeness.

Bouncing games can be combined with songs or counting games, giving babies cues to anticipate movement, which helps them feel secure and involved.

For older babies who are beginning to explore more independently, treasure hunts with floating toys can turn swim time into an exciting adventure.

How it helps:

• Encourages reaching, moving, and eventually paddling towards targets.
• Builds problem-solving skills as babies learn to retrieve items.
• Adds an element of play that keeps older babies engaged and motivated.

Keep it simple—a few floating rings or toys scattered around the pool can create a fun mini-challenge for your baby to discover during their lesson. It’s a great way for parents to support gentle independence while remaining close for safety.

For parents in Boambee and nearby areas, one of the biggest advantages of baby swimming lessons in Coffs Harbour that families choose is the consistency of having lessons in the same pool each week. Babies thrive on routine, and familiarity helps reduce stress and build confidence over time.



Returning to the same swim school weekly allows babies to recognise sights, sounds, and even instructors’ voices. Familiar songs, games, and toys become cues that it’s time for swimming, helping babies feel calm and prepared. This continuity supports steady progress, making lessons more productive and enjoyable for parents and children alike.

Water Games Foster Bonding & Progress

Incorporating water games into swimming lessons isn’t just about fun—it’s about creating an environment where learning happens naturally. Games help babies associate swimming with joy, making them eager to return each week. Parents also benefit from the sense of connection and accomplishment as they watch their child’s confidence and skills grow.



For first-time parents in greater Coffs Harbour, these games are valuable tools for easing babies into the aquatic environment. Whether it’s a gentle song or an underwater peek-a-boo, each activity contributes to a nurturing, progress-driven program that lays the groundwork for lifelong water safety and enjoyment.

Start Your Baby’s Water Journey with Baby Swimming Lessons in Coffs Harbour

At SwimCare Swim School in Coffs Harbour, we offer baby swimming lessons where parents participate alongside their children. Our goal is to create a fun, supportive environment where families feel comfortable and confident. If you live in Boambee or nearby suburbs and want to introduce your baby to swimming in a gentle and enjoyable way, contact us today to find out how our lessons can help your child grow and thrive.