Pool party ideas for daughters 7th birthday

[Anonymous]

We are having a pool party for my daughters 7th birthday. I am looking for some fun ideas to add to the event...like carmen's italian ice, games, giveaways or some other fun activity to add to the event. Thanks for your suggestions!!

[Anonymous]

What about a pool toy as a giveaway?

Also -not sure how many kids you are having but at drop off, I would touch base with all the parents about whether or not their child is comfortable in the water. We watch the kids like a hawk anyhow, but I am always surprised to find that there are kids that still can't swim at this age and need to be watched extra extra close.

[Anonymous]

give each kid new goggles

[Anonymous]

Yes, please be careful and do not rely on the child to give you the accurate answer on their swimming ability - check with the parent and also get them to define what they man by "swim". My DD is 8 and can't really swim - she can float for a few minutes feet and dog paddle maybe 5 or so feet (and yes we have done upteem number of swim lessons!) but she will loudly and confidentaly tell everyone she can swim.

[Anonymous]

21:48 back - in our neighborhood a family had a LARGE pool party - and one of the kids almost drowned another girl (by accident) - at 11 she could not swim, and she found herself in the deeper end and was holding onto a 8 year old to stay afloat- the 8 year old was trapped under. The lifeguards didn't notice quickly b/c the pool was so busy - my DH and another dad raced over, but if they hadn't happened to see, it is very scary. I had never given much thought before to the fact that even if you can swim you could be put in that situation. I'm admittedly a worrywart, but lots to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please be careful and do not rely on the child to give you the accurate answer on their swimming ability - check with the parent and also get them to define what they man by "swim". My DD is 8 and can't really swim - she can float for a few minutes feet and dog paddle maybe 5 or so feet (and yes we have done upteem number of swim lessons!) but she will loudly and confidentaly tell everyone she can swim.

Just curious, but would you actually drop off your non-swimmer at a swim party?

[Anonymous]

I hate pool parties

[Anonymous]

Water guns

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please be careful and do not rely on the child to give you the accurate answer on their swimming ability - check with the parent and also get them to define what they man by "swim". My DD is 8 and can't really swim - she can float for a few minutes feet and dog paddle maybe 5 or so feet (and yes we have done upteem number of swim lessons!) but she will loudly and confidentaly tell everyone she can swim.

Just curious, but would you actually drop off your non-swimmer at a swim party?

I wrote the post you quoted and I personally would not do this but other parents would. If the pool is only of a certaind depth - such as training pools - or the shallow end is clearly marked off and parents are going to be in the water and not permit the kids to go in deeper water - a parent might be okay with that. Also, they might just insist a child wear a life vest in the water. I don't think drop off is bad as long as the parent in charge knows the child is a non-swimmer and has the expectation they will have to be extra vigilant.

[Anonymous]

Depending on how large a party you are having, I would think about hiring 1 or 2 lifeguards to watch the pool in addition to yourself and any other parents that are there. As the poster described above, you never know about the abilities of the kids that are there.

[Anonymous]

Games - I'd bring a boom box and play limbo and freeze dance. Also could play hot potato with a water balloon. Egg and spoon race (and any other relay races you can think of). Hula hoop contest.

Goody bag - I'd give goggles as another pp suggested, or else give each child one of those mini pool noodles that is like a water gun/pumper in the pool.

You could make the whole party hawaiin themed - greet eachgirl with a lei, play Hawaiian music for above mentioned games, have a hula lesson or contest.

Last, put a

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't have a pool party at that age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Games - I'd bring a boom box and play limbo and freeze dance. Also could play hot potato with a water balloon. Egg and spoon race (and any other relay races you can think of). Hula hoop contest.

Goody bag - I'd give goggles as another pp suggested, or else give each child one of those mini pool noodles that is like a water gun/pumper in the pool.

You could make the whole party hawaiin themed - greet eachgirl with a lei, play Hawaiian music for above mentioned games, have a hula lesson or contest.

Last, put a

Don't leave us hanging!

[Anonymous]

I don't think drop off is bad as long as the parent in charge knows the child is a non-swimmer and has the expectation they will have to be extra vigilant.

Don't you think that is an unreasonable burden to put on the parent who's hosting the party? Children can drown in an instant. How is the parent supposed to host the party, coordinate games, serve snacks, and keep a constant eye on one particular child?

I have 2 kids who can swim and one who can't. I would NEVER leave my non-swimmer at a pool party and ask the party host to be "extra vigilant." Even the most careful person can lose track of the child or stop watching for a few minutes, and that is all it takes. I would not put that kind of responsibility on another parent, nor would I trust my child's safety to someone who will likely be distracted and not able to watch my child the entire time. I am not a helicopter mom and my kids are pretty independent, they roam around the neighborhood themselves on foot or by bike, etc., but when it comes to water safety, the stakes are just too high.

If I were hosting a party and a parent said "Susie really can't swim, can you just keep an extra eye on her?" I would say "I'm sorry, but I don't think I will be able to give her my full attention and I'd be more comfortable if you stayed and kept an eye on her to make sure she's safe."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't think drop off is bad as long as the parent in charge knows the child is a non-swimmer and has the expectation they will have to be extra vigilant.

Don't you think that is an unreasonable burden to put on the parent who's hosting the party? Children can drown in an instant. How is the parent supposed to host the party, coordinate games, serve snacks, and keep a constant eye on one particular child?

I have 2 kids who can swim and one who can't. I would NEVER leave my non-swimmer at a pool party and ask the party host to be "extra vigilant." Even the most careful person can lose track of the child or stop watching for a few minutes, and that is all it takes. I would not put that kind of responsibility on another parent, nor would I trust my child's safety to someone who will likely be distracted and not able to watch my child the entire time. I am not a helicopter mom and my kids are pretty independent, they roam around the neighborhood themselves on foot or by bike, etc., but when it comes to water safety, the stakes are just too high.

If I were hosting a party and a parent said "Susie really can't swim, can you just keep an extra eye on her?" I would say "I'm sorry, but I don't think I will be able to give her my full attention and I'd be more comfortable if you stayed and kept an eye on her to make sure she's safe."

I have to agree. I'm the PP who mentioned the incident at the pool party - I think if your child can't swim, then it is VERY irresponsible to just drop them off.

I also think any kid over the age of 5 that still can't swim needs more lessons to get up to speed until they can swim- its an absolutely necessary safety skill if you ever spend time in the water.