Do you need some original ideas for your kids’ next birthday celebration? It’s hardly imaginable that you can beat a poolside get-together. However, when you decide to throw a birthday bash at your own pool, you’re taking on a lot of responsibility. Luckily for all the residents of San Diego, they can easily entertain their kids by organizing a swim party at an enclosed pool.

When you figure out the time and place, you need to do your homework in order for the event to run smoothly. Read on for some fun tips and tricks to make your kids’ event a blast!

What do you need for a kid’s pool party?

Whether you’re organizing a sweet sixteen celebration for a group of teens, or a small-scale poolside gathering for toddlers and their parents, you need:

• Comprehensive list of guests
• Invitation cards
• Adequate food and drinks
• Enough seating spaces for kids and parents
• Plenty of shady spaces, if it’s an outdoors party
• Dry and spare cooling towels for the kids
• Birthday decorations – think garlands, decorative plates, paper flags, balloons, costumes, and so on. 
• Music and entertainment – you have a variety of options: 
  • bring your own sound system 
  • let the kids pick their favorite playlist
  • use waterproof floating WiFi speakers 
  • hire a DJ or a live band 
  • book professional entertainers for the kids
• Set of precautionary measures and safety rules for everyone involved, in order to prevent accidents
• List of the group and individual activities for kids of different ages. This can include both swimming, pool, and lawn games. Make sure that you bring or rent the necessary equipment.

What kind of food do you serve at a pool party?

If you’re planning to host the birthday celebration at your own home, you’ll definitely have more freedom when it comes to food, as you’d be able to keep it refrigerated. However, let’s say that you’re renting a public pool space for 2 – 4 hours. In that case, it’s best to stick to snacks and drinks that can withstand the hot and humid environment. Moreover, you don’t want the kids to go swimming while they’re too full – this can be a bit unpleasant, although not dangerous. 

For instance, you can consider the following menu, especially as kids are always into finger food:

• Fruit cones, as a colorful alternative to ice-cream
• Watermelon on a stick, a healthier version of a popsicle
• Chicken tacos
• Garlic or olive bread fingers
• Pretzel sticks
• Pecan cookies
• Homemade potato chips and sour creme dip
• Bacon, veggie, and fruit skewers
• Lobster and shrimp sliders

As for the drinks, you can replace the classic sugary beverages with some healthier, nourishing options: 

• Lemonade with mint
• Smoothies
• Coconut shakes
• Homemade ice-tea

Feel free to include some hot coffee and tea for other parents, and if possible, put alcoholic beverages outside of the menu.

What should guests bring to a pool party?

You should inform your guests about the things that they should bring to the party so that they could fully enjoy the event. They should bring the following items: 

• Swimsuit
• Their own towels, if they feel more comfortable using them
• A plastic bag where they can place their wet suit and towels
• Sunscreen, if your event is taking place outdoors, on a sunny day
• After-swimming lotions
• Hair clips
• Swimming goggles
• Phone chargers
• Pool-appropriate shoes – sandals or flip-flops

Where in San Diego & the area can I throw a safe and fun kid’s swim party?

Provided that you know how many people you’ll be inviting, you don’t have to look far to find the ideal place for your little one’s next birthday. Located just a block away from Mariner’s Point Park, the Plunge has been a household name for many generations in San Diego. 

Apart from bringing swim lessons for adults and children, a well-equipped fitness facility, and our renovated swimming pool, you can count on us if you want to rent the premises for your private or corporate purposes. Feel free to book your event by calling us today!