Indoor is good. We've been invited to a few pool parties at that age, parents are always there watching from the side even with lifeguards. I would ban younger siblings who likely can't swim well yet.

We just attended a 6 year old birthday part at a rec center pool indoors, went great. A couple parents got in, most had suits on in case they needed to but just watched as kids stayed mostly in the area where they can stand up. And many were able to swim anyway. Don't decide based on the one parent that says they would "hate this" - if you find other birthday threads, there are parents that hate any which birthday party and no one agrees (like some would love a playground party, some hate it, repeat for every type!). Do what your kid likes.

Yes, people will attend and the kids will love it, but as another poster said, many of the parents will hate it.

We have attended two, one at Cub Run and one at St. James. My child loved them both but since my child wasn't a strong swimmer at that age, my husband and I both felt compelled to be there for all the possible eyes on given the chaos of indoor pool party.

Turning 6 or turning 7? I'd love my January birthday to do a party at Longbridge Aquatic Center, but alas said kid has other ideas. I would wait until the cohort of kids is at least 7, if not 8. More kids will be able to swim, and will be tall enough to confidently stand in 3-3.5 foot areas (and ride the water slide at Longbridge!). By then parties are also pretty universally drop off, so it will be clear that parents aren't expected to get in the water and supervise. Regardless, I'd make sure there was an extra lifeguard if it's not a staffed community center, and I would specifically tell families to send floaties or life jackets if their kids can't swim. Aside from all of that, yes, great idea!

For 6 year olds, shallow water only..

If you hire a lifeguard, it'd be awesome.

Anonymous wrote:Yes at an indoor venue it's a good idea. Just communicate if you expect parents to stay and/or to get in the water or not.

I will further add that someone (or several someones, depending on the number of kids) from the host family should be in the pool with the kids, if you're just going to end up at something like a rec center pool.

Yes at an indoor venue it's a good idea. Just communicate if you expect parents to stay and/or to get in the water or not.

We went to one at kids first swim and they made kids who wanted to go in the 4ft end take a swim test. The groups of kids were all 6 or 7 and I think only a couple took the swim test. Everyone was happy in the shallow end and they had two lifeguards.

The kids had a blast since most had not swam since the summer.

Sorry, March bday mom here, hit send too soon. I never booked it because I wasn't sure how the changing part would go and also if parents at that age would feel they need to get in the water.

DD has a March birthday and I always loved this idea, with a tropical theme.

As a parent, I would hate this. My kid would love it, but isnt a strong swimmer and I would feel the need to be watching them like a hawk the entire time.

Just make sure you have a plan and set expectations or plan for a lifeguard etc if the venue doesnt require it.

As long as it's indoors...

Yes. Why not?

Thinking about an indoor pool party for six year old who has started youth swimming and in general is happiest in the pool. Will people attend a pool party in winter?