Pre Pool Party Planning

Summer is right around the corner, and if you have a summer birthday in the house, the backyard swimming pool is the perfect party venue!

Pool parties for 7-12 yr old kids are a blast for kids and parents, and with a little bit of planning, can be safe for them and sane for you.

Pre Pool Party Planning

First, decide how many pool guests you can accommodate, and stick to a firm number. If you have more than 4-6, bring in some help, or ask parents to help watch and attend to the kids.

Secondly, go shopping! Hit up the party store for some cake plates and napkins, maybe some cute party hats? Instead of goody bags, what about a pool party gift like splash balls or pool noodles?

Send out your invitations a few weeks in advance, for busy summer schedules. I still like using postal mail for pool party invites, but you can be more inventive.

Finally, check water balance and clarity, and your pump and filter as the party draws close, to make sure all systems are go for blue pool water!

Pool Party Games

Marco Polo: Classic pool game, and as the first game, take the opportunity to gauge the swimming ability of your guests. For an extra challenge, use a swim mask or goggles with the inside lens taped over, worn by the person calling “Marco!”.

Sharks and Minnows: If your pool has a large deep end area, this works best. One person is the Shark, and he/she is in the deep end, treading water. At the ‘go’, the minnows jump off the edge, or push off the wall, and swim across the pool without being touched by the shark.

Pool Basketball or Volleyball: Two classic games on land that are also great pool games, especially for the older 10-12 kids. 4-5 kids can play pool basketball comfortably, but pool volleyball games can accommodate more players.

Seahorse Races: Give each player a noodle and line up on the shallow end wall, with ‘jockeys’ mounted on their ‘seahorse’. While riding the pool noodle, the object is to make it to the other end of the pool and back. First one to reach the finish line wins the first heat.

Pool Party Food

Most birthday parties I’ve been to lately are still going with the traditional birthday cake, candles and song. ‘Cupcake cakes‘ are an easy to serve alternative.

You may want to have some light snacks – my favorite pool food is green grapes, if they get in the pool, they end up in the skimmer basket! Don’t forget to keep your guests hydrated with juice boxes or you could fill a clear water jug with blue Gatorade or Kool-Aid for a fun Pool Water beverage.

Pool Party Safety

Designate a pool lifeguard, and that’s probably not you if you are busy hosting the party. A responsible adult should watch the pool during the entire party, and referee any rough play.