DD age 7 recently received a monogrammed beach bag and towel -- super cute idea!

Op, I love connecting gifts to either the recipient's personality or some theme (like you are doing - summer bday, gift that can be used in the summer). I agree about the water guns (I think nerf even makes a pink one!), ice pop maker, or a lawn game/toy like stomp rockets, badminton, butterfly net and jar, etc.

I would stay away from anything pool related since different pools have different rules. You do not to get a summer related gift, but my child would love you forever if you got him a snow cone machine. Some parents may hate you though. You cannot really win in this area.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just went to a pool party for a 7yr old and one of the girls there almost drowned. A lifeguard had to jump in. Not all kids can swim at this age so I think it is a little too early to have a drop-off swim party that can be a little chaotic.

Who said anything about a drop off party? If you know that your children are not strong swimmers then you stay with them, this is common sense. On top of that there is no way in hell I would ever have a pool party for kids and not have the parent(s) stay. Parties are supposed to be fun not stressful!

My daughter just went to a pool party for a 7yr old and one of the girls there almost drowned. A lifeguard had to jump in. Not all kids can swim at this age so I think it is a little too early to have a drop-off swim party that can be a little chaotic.

Pool floats are not allowed at our pool, so those would be a terrible gift for our daughter. Why must it be summer related? Any arts and crafts gift would be great.

There was a really cute mermaid kite at PB Kids

Why does it need to be specifically summer-related?

Badminton rackets and birdies? Kite? Gardening set: pot, dirt, seeds? Zoku ice pop maker? Items for a lemonade stand: fancy box for the cash, plastic pitcher, fun cups, etc.?

My DD turned 7 a couple months ago. The only gift she's using regularly is a summer pajama set one of her friends gave her. She got several craft kits, some were good, some were not.

I've given sno cone machines before. Get an electric one, not the snoopy one--way too hard to crank.

Make sure they go to a pool. Every time I read all these suggestions I think of my kids. We aren't members and don't go that often because they don't love to swim. Nerf guns and water balloons are safer if you aren't sure.

Those wiggle worm things that plug into your hose are great, if her parents have a yard.

Or a sno cone maker. They love that.

Diving toys, goggles, beach towel, mermaid barbies, sprayers, splash balls...my 7 year old daughter loves all those.

A nerf water gun would be a better choice, plus maybe a water balloon kit.

Please share. Are pool floats a terrible idea? Please send ideas.