A pool birthday party is a fun way to cool off from the summer heat and celebrate the birthday kid! However, there are several things to consider before committing to a swimming pool birthday party. Read on for tips and ideas on birthday pool party locations, guest lists, invitations, food, and activities. 

 

If you don't have a pool at your home, explore local options for pool parties such as the YMCA, area hotels, or pool clubs. Next, set a limit on the number of guests for your party. Depending on the age of the kids, you'll have various levels of swimmers on your hands and need to make sure safety comes first. That said, you may want to consider asking another parent to help out with supervision if you plan to have a lot of kids at the party.

When the logistics are sorted out, share important event information with customizable online pool party birthday invitations. Choose from a wide range of cute and gorgeous designs including invitations that feature favorite kid characters. Once you find your favorite design, incorporate pool-themed language into your invite to get guests excited about the event, like "Splish, splash, it's Mia's birthday bash!" or "The sun is hot but the water is nice + cool. Come splash + play at Sam's birthday party in the pool!".

In your invitation, let everyone know that they should come dressed in their swimsuits and bring a towel, life vests if needed, and change of clothes. When your invitation is ready to send, deliver it by text or email instantly then easily track RSVPs online. 

Have a variety of pool toys available for kids to play with such as beach balls, pool noodles, floats, squirt guns, diving rings, buckets, plastic watering cans, snorkles, masks, and other age-appropriate items. Supply plenty of sunscreen, life vests, and towels in case guests forget to bring their own and use patio umbrellas set up a place for everyone to get out of the sun. Finally, remember that any decorations you purchase are likely to get wet and possibly tear so, for example, opt for plastic table cloths instead of paper ones.

Fresh summer fruits like watermelon and strawberries are perfect to serve at your pool birthday party. Hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and soda are also good foods to serve, especially if you're able to cookout at home. Add an element of fun into your menu with pool-themed labels like "Pool Noodles" for carrot and celery sticks, "Sharks" for a bowl of Goldfish crackers, and "Pool Water" for blue fruit punch. For a birthday cake, consider an ice cream cake, a favorite summertime treat to help keep kids cool!

 

Keep guests engaged and entertained with these pool birthday party activities!

Water Balloon Toss: If there's an even number of guests at the party, split everyone into pairs for a water balloon toss. Have each pair toss a water balloon to their partner and back to the original person. Then have everyone take a step backwards from their partner and toss the balloon again. Whoever doesn’t catch the balloon and breaks their balloon is out of the game. The last pair standing with their water balloon wins the game!

 

Sponge Relay: Split the kids into two teams. Place two empty buckets at a set distance away from the kids. Place a bucket of water next to each team and give them a large sponge. Each team must race, one person at a time, to try to fill the empty bucket with water using just their sponge. The first team to fill up their buck wins the race!

Whirlpool: Another fun game for kids to play at a swimming birthday party is the whirlpool game. The whirlpool game is ideal for parties hosted at a circular above ground pool. Have all of the kids stand along the edge of the pool an equal distance from each other. Then have them all walk for a few minutes in the same direction in a circle around the edges of the pool. Tell them to go faster and faster until the water is carrying them around the pool. Then, tell them to turn around and try to go the opposite way. This will be sure to get some laughs from the kids as they try to swim against the current! 

Finally, send guests home happy with summer-themed party favors like waterbottles, sunglasses, or beach buckets filled with candy, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles.