best water games for kids

Hitting the pool and beach may top your kids' to-do list, but pretty soon they are going to be splashing for attention again. Don't worry, we've got a ton of cool water games that'll keep them occupied (and help them make new friends!) so you can work on that tan.

Here's a quick way to make friends and have a blast! Gather a group of kids in the pool and crown one "the Blob." When the Blob tags someone, that kid will latch on to the Blob and they'll try to tag the others together. Continue until everyone is latched on to the Blob. The last kid swimming is the winner.

One kid gets to be "the jellyfish" and tries to tag the other kids. Whoever is tagged becomes "the Jellyfish." But here's the twist: The new jellyfish can't use whatever body part they were tagged on. Tagged on the right arm? You'll have to swim with your left. Hey, you know who'd love this? Jellyfish-loving SpongeBob SquarePants!

It's just like the classic pass-the-message game, but underwater! Kids form a circle in the pool and try to pass a message underwater to the next kid and the next, all the way until it gets back to the kid who started it all. The best part? Comparing the real message with how crazy it ends up!

Divide kids into two teams and give each kid a number. Drop "the bacon" (a beach ball or pool toy or whatever you don't mind getting wet) in the middle and call out a number. The kids with that number on each team try to bring back "the bacon" to their own team without getting tagged to score a point.

Seriously, what's not to love about a relay race? Kids form two lines in the pool. They'll pass a beach ball from the front of the line to the back, alternating above the head and between the legs. The last person swims to the front with the ball. Repeat until each kid has swum or one team finishes first.

Are your kids turning into mini shoe divas, just like Mommy? Give each kid a pair of flip-flops—they get to keep one and the rest get tossed into the pool together. Say "GO!" and they all dive in to find their match.

Line your kids up in two lines at the edge of the pool. The first child in each line will put on a T-shirt and swim to the opposite side of the pool and back, giving the T-shirt to the next player. Repeat until everyone gets a turn. Be sure to take pictures of them wriggling in and out of that wet shirt—it's hysterical!

Don't count out the classics! Have one child (the infamous "it") cover his or her eyes with a bandanna. "It" calls out "Marco!" and the other players answer "Polo!" so that "it" can find and tag them. Once you're tagged, you become "it."

Divide the kids into two teams. One player from each team will do the backstroke to one end of the pool and back, then the next person on each team jumps in and does the same. The catch? They have to balance little toys on their bellies while they swim! PS: This is a great abs workout if you want an excuse to join the fun!

Norwegian Breakaway Aqua Park is located seventeen decks above the sea! With wind in your hair, sun on your back, and ocean views all around, you and your family will have a stellar selection of liquid delights within your fingertips: five multi-story waterslides, two swimming pools, four hot tubs...more water than ever before! It's a proverbial smorgasbord of aquatic opportunities.

Check out more awesome cruise tips and tools at "Chart Your Course" on Nick Jr. Happy sailing!