Outdoor Games
How to play Marco Polo
Use calls and careful listening to tag another swimmer.
QUICK VIDEO GUIDE
Learn Marco Polo in under a minute
About this video
This original mini lesson covers what you need, setup, normal play, the winning condition, and one beginner tip. Continue below for the complete written guide.
INTERACTIVE LEARN-TO-PLAY
Practice Marco Polo before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Choose Marco and establish safe boundaries with an attentive adult supervisor.
Review the objective, turn order, boundaries, and any safety or house rules before starting.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Set up the game as described and choose the first player or team.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Set up the game as described and choose the first player or team.
Scoring and winning
As Marco, tag another player who then becomes Marco.
Common dispute to prevent
Starting before every player understands how a turn works. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to use calls and careful listening to tag another swimmer. Before play begins, make sure every player can explain how the game ends and what determines the winner. That one check prevents many mid-game disagreements.
What you need
A supervised swimming pool with clear safety rules. Lay out every required item before teaching the rules. If pieces, cards, controllers, or play space are missing, resolve that before the practice turn.
How to set up
- Choose Marco and establish safe boundaries with an attentive adult supervisor.
- Review the objective, turn order, boundaries, and any safety or house rules before starting.
Setup check: Ask one player who did not arrange the game to compare the table, field, or screen with these steps. A fresh look often catches an incorrect starting position.
How to play: step by step
- Set up the game as described and choose the first player or team.
- Take turns according to the central action of the game.
- Keep scores, pieces, or progress visible so everyone understands the current state.
- As Marco, tag another player who then becomes Marco.
Example first round
Use the first round as a no-pressure demonstration. Begin with the starting position described above. The first player follows the opening action: set up the game as described and choose the first player or team. The next player then follows the same turn order or responds as the rules require. Pause after everyone has acted once and confirm that the group understands what information is public, what choices are legal, and how progress is measured.
Beginner strategies
- Use a short practice round when teaching new players.
- Focus on one reliable decision at a time and adjust after seeing the result.
Choose one of these ideas for the first game instead of trying to remember every strategy at once. Afterward, identify one decision that changed the result and one move you would test next time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting before every player understands how a turn works.
- Changing a rule in the middle of play instead of agreeing beforehand.
If an illegal move is discovered, pause and agree on the least disruptive correction. For casual play, consistency and a shared understanding matter more than reconstructing many turns.
Frequently asked questions
How does someone win Marco Polo?
As Marco, tag another player who then becomes Marco.
Can beginners play?
Yes. Demonstrate one turn, answer questions, and begin with a relaxed practice round.
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