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Game On! 16 Fun Games to Play on Your Pontoon Boat
Rain or shine, never fret! There are always things to do on the water when there's a pontoon involved.
With players of one or more, and for kids of all ages (since we're all kids at heart), here's a list of 16 fun games to can play on your pontoon boat. You can even come up with fun and unique things for the "winners" and "losers." Maybe the losers have to wash the boat while the winners are in charge of the garden hoses. That sounds like a win/win for the boat captain!
With or without getting wet, you can hold a summer pontoon party and invite friends and neighbors over for a match or two. My crazy family's favorite combines jousting and water chicken. Play at your own risk!
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Games to Play on Your Pontoon Boat
Water Sports
On hotter summer days, it's to keep refreshed by staying in the cool waters. But for those of us who need a bit more than just lazing about on floats and climbing up and down pontoon water slides, here are five games for more entertaining water sports.
1. Basketball
Leave your sneakers on land for this basketball game. Versahoop Basketball Hoop (check price on Amazon) is made to be hooked on a pontoon's gunwale railings to create marine courts.
Although it may be hard to tell players apart if there are two teams of skins, be sure to get close VIP courtside seats on your pontoon's benches and root for them.
One really smart feature of this basketball hoop is the ability to remove the hoop and lay it out flat for compact storage. When not in use on your pontoon, the hoop can be clamped on anywhere.
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2. Volleyball
This Intex Pool Volleyball Net (check price on Amazon) can be used for more than a pool. If you're a competitive volleyball player, you might be annoyed there aren't exactly rules for "ball out" in the middle of open waters. But for the sake of an easy game, this is a lot of fun.
I know what you're thinking: You'll probably have to tie it up with a line to your pontoon because it's inflatable, but you'd be happy to know that the pole bases come with anchor weights. Even if the weights are far above the water's depth, it will still prevent the inflatable from being blown downstream by the wind.
3. CornHole
Cornhole has become a very popular game for backyard barbecues and park picnics. But what about us water bugs? Well, luckily Airhead's Lob the Blob Inflatable Cornhole game (check price on Amazon) is just for us.
Unlike the volleyball net, I don't believe it comes with weights so you might need to rig your own. And don't take the point system too seriously, as the floating cornhole bags will bounce more than slide.
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4. Noodle Joust
This one is easy if you already own foam noodles, as most boaters do. Of course, if you need more, you can always buy a whole bunch on Amazon. Only a two-player game, it's perfect if you don't have enough players or people willing to get wet for team sports.
Step One: Mount your steed. On land, take a PFD life vest that's already required on board and place your legs where your arms normally go. Yes, it should appear like you're wearing a diaper. Sorry. Now grab a noodle and hop in the water.
Step Two: Now joust! Once in the water, face off with your opponent. Each knight/player straightens their noodle as best they can and swims toward each other aiming to knock the other sideways into the water.
Don't be super aggressive with this game! I can tell you from experience these foam noodles can really hurt when you're smacked in the face. Aim for the chest instead, or somebody will come away with red cheeks, and it won't be from sunburn!
5. Water Chicken
Most are familiar with this classic water sport. In fact, it only really works in water because, well, that's a long fall for the person sitting on someone else's shoulders. Water chicken is a team player game of four or more players.
Breaking off into multiple teams of two, one teammate sits on the shoulders of the other, going head-to-head and neck-to-neck with the opposing team, attempting to knock them over. Whoever's still standing wins! Now, it's possible to do more than two teams of two, but don't go too crazy.
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Board Games to Play on Deck
If you find yourself taking cover and waiting out a rainstorm or even pontoon camping, grab a board game to beat boredom. Gather around beneath the bimini or pontoon enclosure and pass the time till the sun comes back out.
6. Checkers Rug
This oversized checkers rug (check price on Amazon) is great for storing on your pontoon all year round. With a two-foot by two-foot reversible woven rug, you fold it away for a rainy day along with the giant black and red checker pieces.
If checkers is a bit advanced for youngsters, no worries! Flip it over for a game of tic-tac-toe. I had a very similar checkers rug growing up, and we carried it everywhere: on picnics, camping and the beach. Since it's cloth, you can shake out the sand after use. Easy cleanup!
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7. Battleship
You sunk my battleship! Okay, now I know in today's modern age you can just download and play this game on electronic devices, but I'm old enough to remember the classic battleship game (check price on Amazon) with the red and white pegs you have to press down manually (instead of tapping a screen).
So, if you're a parent who refuses to let their kid stare at a screen all day or just need to save your battery for more important things like finding fish or navigating your way back home, consider this old-school game.
With portable cases, you'll never lose the pegs or ships. Alternatively, you can opt for the magnetic version of Battleship (check price on Amazon), which is free of tiny pegs.
8. Scattergories
Although not boating-related, Scattergories (check price on Amazon) is one of my all-time favorite board games. It's mostly about writing in notebooks, so there aren't many pieces you can lose overboard.
The idea is to roll dice with letters on them and come up with the most unique item beginning with that letter. For example, if it lands on S, you set the timer and each player tries to come up with unique items on a set list: Ice cream flavor? Strawberry cheesecake. Type of bird? Seagull.
To make it a more nautical-themed game, you can create your own lists, such as fish, boat parts and bodies of water.
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9. Yahtzee (or Yacht-Sea)
You might be familiar with the standard Yahtzee game, but have you ever heard of Yacht-Sea? This play on words is the perfect substitute for rolling dice games on deck.
It's just like Yahtzee but with added maritime-themed rules. Just keep a few extra dice on board in case some roll overboard during an exciting round.
10. Merchants & Marauders
I've not played the Merchants and Marauders (check price on Amazon) game myself, but it's sure to please kids who love anything pirate-themed.
The game is set in the Caribbean, and you find fortunes as pirates would have once done through plundering. The goal is to build impressive tall ship vessels and be able to fend off your enemies and add ship crew.
Fair warning: This game says it takes about three hours to play. So grab the dock lines, tie up your pontoon, get comfortable for the long haul and grab some fruit snacks to stave off scurvy.
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Card Games
If you've ever played a card game outdoors, you know the wind is your enemy as much as the opposing poker-faced players around you.
But did you know there's such a thing as magnetic playing cards (check price on Amazon)? Once you've got those secured, here are several card games you can play solo or with multiple players.
11. Solitaire
If you're like me and sometimes enjoy a little peace and quiet down on the pontoon dock, you can always play a game of solitaire. Most card players know how to play solitaire, but there are actually several versions out there. Find your favorite card layout!
12. Go Fish / UNO
This one's for the anglers: A game of Go Fish (go figure). Most know this game. You can play with a simple deck of cards or get yourself a waterproof set of UNO cards (check price on Amazon) and make it more interesting between the four colors and Wild, Draw Two's and Reverse cards.
13. Rummy
Rummy is considered one of the great classic card games. It's the perfect game for multiple players and uses a standard deck of cards.
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DIY Games
14. Marco Polo Blind Tag
Any kid who's learned to swim has played Marco Polo. The designated Marco yells Marco! and everyone else responds Polo!
The catch is that the Marco player closes his eyes or uses a blindfold, trying to catch fellow swimmers by using only the sounds of splashes and their voices.
15. Cannonball Contests
Contest or no contest, cannonballs are quintessential to water living. But add a long dock runway or pier to it, and you can make a much bigger splash.
Pontoons can be great for this, with the proper safety precautions. Gain a longer running pad and crash those waters hard! Of course, you need judges but make sure they're okay with getting drenched.
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16. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts can be played both onboard your pontoon deck and in the water. Just find some common objects onboard, like sunglasses, sandals, scrub brushes and soft fishing lures (hookless, of course) and hide them in nooks and crannies around the boat.
Remember where you hid the items (or make a map to give it a more hidden treasure-like feel—argggh!).
If you're ordering board games online, check to see how many players they suggest and if the whole family can join in on the fun.
If you have very young children, please be sure to check the age-appropriate levels, as some can have very small pieces that can become choking hazards.
I should add that if you're playing in the water, you should avoid sharp edges and pontoon engines. Don't get overly competitive. Remember: It's just a game. And have a good time!
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