How To Throw Your Kids a Pool Birthday Party
You are fortunate enough to have kids, and have a swimming pool in the back yard as well. There might come that exciting time when one of the kids says “Mom, I want to have my birthday party at the pool.” How do you get set up for a back yard party at the pool?
Just let them swim. The fun part of a party at the pool is that you have the primary source of entertainment already in place. Just gather everyone in the back yard, and let them play in the pool. It won’t take long for someone to yell “Marco” and another to shout “Polo,” and the kids are wrapped up in their own pool game.
Take care of safety. Before the party, check with the Moms of each child who will be in attendance, and make sure their child can swim. If they are not very good at it, it might help to have one area in the shallow end designated for the beginning swimmers. Have a first aid kit on hand, just in case, and have emergency numbers posted where you can get right to them. Hopefully you’ll never need any of this, but be prepared.
Who is the lifeguard? While the kids are in the pool, make sure one or more parents will agree to be the lifeguard, and watch the kids. That doesn’t mean chatting with other Moms with your back to the pool – really be on alert, and have your whole focus on the kids. If you are going to have a lot of kids and have a big pool – consider hiring one or more of the young lifeguards who work at the neighborhood pool. Kids look up to them and will be more likely to pay attention.
Where are the refreshments? This part is no different from a party on land – make sure there are sufficient drinks and food for the kids and parents who are attending the party. It might be prudent to allow a little extra – kids at play in the water build up powerful appetites.
What about toys? If the kids want a diversion from pool games, have some pool toys available. There are plenty of options to keep the kids entertained. You might want to pass on giant water pistols – kids might get out of control with those, and think its fun to spray the adults in attendance. A ball and basket where they can play water basketball will be more appropriate.
Play hostess for the adults. Each child in attendance will most likely be escorted by a parent, so in reality, the party will have an adult component. Do the parents know each other? If they don’t, introduce them to each other, and try to engage the parents, just like at an adult party.
A birthday party at a swimming pool is pretty easy function. Once a few supplies like refreshments and some toys are in place, kids at a pool will find wonderful ways to entertain themselves, so just let them have fun!
Carol Atkins has 3 kids with her wonderful husband – two boys and a girl – and two lovely black Labradors. When she’s not working out with aqua aerobics in the family pool, she spends hours watching the kids and dogs play and have fun. She is also a dedicated runner, and diligently training for her first half marathon.
