So, you’re about to surprise your toddler with a wonderful birthday celebration at the local swimming pool. That sounds really awesome, and what can possibly go wrong, right? Hopefully, you have given it a good thought and organized everything in detail. Without a clear plan of age-appropriate activities, your little one’s birthday bash can easily fall apart and turn into a whammy. 

Even if you’ve had a luxurious kids’ swim party rental in San Diego in mind, you need to pick the right timing and length of the event. Fortunately, there are certain ways in which you can ensure everyone is having a great time, so continue reading.

What is a good time for a kid’s pool party? 

Generally speaking, almost any poolside event is scheduled as a pre-dinner party. Firstly, you want to avoid the heatwave of the early afternoon hours. Your preschooler also needs to have his or her afternoon nap, so you should respect their daily routines. Given this, the typical time of day to start with the celebration is after 3:00 PM. 

Toddlers are known to be prone to becoming cranky if something goes out of their way. It’s a normal part of growing up, but it can be quite difficult to handle, as certain activities are can be a bit “too much” for them. So, are swimming pool bashes a good idea for kiddos? If you have a set-out plan of appropriate activities, and if you strictly follow the safety guidelines in and around the pool and make sure that everyone is taken care of, it’s a definite yes! 

How long should a toddler birthday party last?

If the party takes too long toddlers can become bored, tired, or nervous. Most parents and caregivers know that smaller children usually enjoy events that last about 1 – 2 hours. That’s more than enough time to plan some super-fun activities, greet your guests, serve some snacks, drinks, and birthday cake. 

Let’s take a look at some games that you can play to fill that time with joy and excitement. 

What activities should I include in the plan for my toddler poolside bash? 

The possibilities are endless, but if you really want to be creative and make this birthday party memorable, and let the kids burn extra energy, consider the following seven games: 

1. Float racing

Floats come in many different shapes and forms – dolphins, alligators, flamingoes, rafts, etc. Make sure that all players stay on their floats as they race. This is a great swimming exercise, but make sure that kids have other competitive and group activities as well. 

2. Hungry Hippos

You’ll need a couple of raft floats, ball pit balls, and a couple of plastic baskets or buckets. One player pushes the raft, while the other one in the team collects the balls in the basket. The goal is to collect a greater amount of balls that are released in the center of the pool. 

3. Watermelon Push

This is a really fun activity, where two players try to move a fresh watermelon to the other side of the pool only with the help of their heads. It’s a good game that can help with coordination and leg strength in water. 

4. Squirt gun wars

You just need a couple of squirt guns, or if you’re thrifty, you can improvise and use recycled spray bottles. Kids of all ages love it, so don’t hesitate to include this activity in a toddler birthday bash. 

5. Beach ball bowling

This is a great way to play outside of the pool and toddlers love this activity. You just need one beach ball, pool noodles, an exercise mat, and a couple of items that will act as pins, such as bottles or cans. 

6. Sponge ball tag

Like with the squirt guns, this twist of the original tag game includes kids running around with a sponge ball, trying to “turn” as many kids as possible within a limited amount of time.

7. Water balloon pinata

Forget about candy, and hand water balloon pinatas around the yard instead. Let the kids burst as many as possible. This is going to be equally fun and refreshing in hot weather. 

Where can we find the best kids’ swim party rental in San Diego, CA, and the vicinity?

When you wish to organize a special event for your toddler, the Plunge San Diego is at your service! You can also consider us when throwing a family get-together, poolside birthday for a group of teenagers, or a company team-building. We’re located just a couple of minutes from Bahia Point Beach, so it’s impossible to miss us. 

Our staff will be happy to assist you to keep the kids safe while swimming and playing around the water. You can also count on us to use some of the amenities and inflatables for your party. Contact us today to easily book your appointment or inquire about other options we offer!