Host the Perfect Pool Party this Summer

Pool season is nearly here, and what better way to kick it off then with an exciting pool party for your kiddos! It’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year, while welcoming the hot sunny days of summer!  So you’ve opened your swimming pool and things are looking ready for that first dip, but are you prepared to host that first pool party? As fun as pool parties can be for kids, the idea of hosting one can be a stressful thought for parents, specifically due to the responsibility it holds in regards to pool safety.

Host the perfect pool party this summer with some fun ideas to make the party a hit for the kids!

Here’s How :
Guest List: Work with your kid(s) to write-up a reasonable guest list for the pool party. Keep the numbers manageable, unless you plan to have several adults present. It’s highly suggested that you confirm all children are in fact able to swim, and if not that they have the appropriate inflatable safety devices. Of course weak swimmers or those that are still learning need to remain in the shallow-end at all times

Pool Supplies: In addition to pool aids, it’s important that you’re prepared with all the essential pool/sun supplies! Don’t forget to have sunscreen, bug spray, towels, extra beach hats, and of course lots of water. In having these available, your guests will be covered should they forget to bring them along.

Additional Supervision: Throughout the party, always ensure children are never left unattended. This is where having multiple adults is very helpful. Of course there will be moments where you’ll have to leave the pool to go inside, whether it is to grab towels, refreshments, or use the washroom, but it’s critical somebody else takes over the supervision when this is the case. Another option is to hire a local lifeguard for the afternoon to watch the kids. While this isn’t necessary in most cases, many local lifeguards are high school and college students who’d love to earn some extra money in their pocket!

Invitations: Once the guest list has been established, it’s time to decide on how you’ll be sending the pool party invitations out! Try your best to provide as much notice as possible due to the fact that summer is a busy time, and people often have plans in advance.

Use facebook or email for quick and easy communication, or perhaps you prefer traditional mail invites; either way, provide all the main details and why it’s going to be a blast! Get your guests excited about it. You may wish to include a rain date as Toronto and Barrie weather can be unpredictable sometimes.

Games: Plan some fun pool party games to keep the kids entertained and happy throughout the day! Since the kids will already be wet, water-based games are the easiest to arrange, and will keep them cooled off from the heat. Some great pool party games for kids include a water balloon toss, diving to retrieve colored rings, or marco polo.

Food/Drinks:Swimming and playing in the pool all day will certainly spark an appetite! Have snacks and water/juice readily available for your guests to keep energy levels up. Consider popular go-to’s like popsicles, fresh watermelon slices, chips and guacamole, and fresh lemonade. If you want to provide a meal, fire up the grill and cook burgers and hot dogs for the kids.

Decorations: Pool parties don’t need decorations of course, but if you want to give your backyard some extra punch and colour, there are a number of pool party decoration ideas that are easy to set-up. Tiki torches along the perimeter of the yard are nice and keep bugs at bay. You can even throw a few light-up creatures in the swimming pool for additional fun!

Music:One of the best ways to create a fun and festive pool party is to include some upbeat music. Create a playlist that includes a variety of sing-along’s and summer songs that everyone loves!