Tips for throwing an awesome kids’ pool party

If one of your little ones has a birthday coming up or you’re just looking to host an exciting group play date, a kids’ pool party is the perfect choice. Nothing beats the fun of a poolside bash, but there are a few things to keep in mind while you’re planning the event to ensure that everyone has a great time. After scheduling your Phoenix pool maintenance, consider these tips for hosting a successful kids’ pool party.

Pick a theme
It’s always helpful to start by choosing a theme to base the party around, that way you can make it easier to pick out accessories, invitations, food and party favors. There are plenty of options to consider, whether you’re looking for something simple or want to get a little more involved. For example, a beach theme would be a relatively easy choice, which you can make more exciting by honing in on a specific location, like Jamaica, Hawaii or Mexico. If you want it to be even more exciting, why not pick something like pirates, mermaids or a carnival?

Send out invitations
Once the theme’s all set, find colorful, fun invitations to send to your child’s friends. It’s a good idea to do this well ahead of time to ensure that busy families can nail down their schedules – plus, the more notice you give, the more likely it is that most of the guests will make it! Be sure to include the essential info on the invites, like the time, the date, your address and the fact that it’s a pool party, so guests will need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Don’t forget to include an R.S.V.P. number so you know who’s actually coming.

Recruit some help
Pool safety is of the utmost importance, and with multiple kids running around, you’re going to need plenty of responsible teenagers or adults on hand to keep an eye on everyone. Consider hiring your regular babysitter and a couple of his or her friends to help out, or ask a few of the guests’ parents who you’re friendly with if they’d be willing to stick around during the party. Someone should be watching the pool attentively at all times.

Set up decorations
Your chosen theme will help you decide what kinds of decorations you need, whether it’s tiki torches, Hawaiian leis, plastic tropical fish or pirate ship centerpieces. Try to make the pool area as colorful, bright and exciting as possible, but don’t get too carried away! There should still be plenty of space for the guests to hang out and have fun.

Decide on a menu
It’s up to you whether you want to stick to cake and ice cream, add snack foods or go all-out with lunch or dinner. But the main thing to keep in mind is that the choices you give your guests should be simple. Since kids are often picky eaters, it may be a good idea to let them make their own plate by setting up something like a sandwich station or taco bar. Don’t forget that some kids may have special requirements, like meat-free options or non-allergenic foods. Stick to paper plates and plastic forks and spoons for easy cleanup.

Play a few games
Everyone loves pool games, so come up with a select few to introduce to the kids. It could be something as simple as Marco Polo, or you might want to consider setting up a volleyball net over the middle of the pool. Ask your child for input on which games he or she would like to play.

Finally, don’t forget to get your Phoenix pool service scheduled beforehand so your guests have a clean, balanced pool to enjoy on the day of your party!