Does your pool have a shallow end? Will the space in the pool be assigned specifically to your group? I think these are the sort of things parents will want to know ahead of time - my child wouldn't get in without a parent if she can't touch the ground, for example.

OP - at 5, you're definitely going to have kids who can't swim and the parents will need to get in the pool. I was one of only 3 parents who got stuck being in the pool for a kindergarten pool party and it was horrible. I felt stressed the entire time because basically none of them could swim and their parents refused to help out. So I was constantly moving from one kid to the other trying to make sure nobody drowned. Ugh.

Agree that you can give out squirt guns or pool noodles or some sort of floatie/beach ball as a toy and party favor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those community pools are cold. Sounds like a fun party.

thanks party pooper

I can’t think of anything I would want to do less than get in a cold pool with a bunch of classmate parents.

+1000. This. Plus, most kids these age can't swim. Personally, I hate pool parties. My friend in town organized two pool bday parties (her kids are older) and one of us has to get in, bring in a ton of crap to change clothes. We are all wet. Ughhh... if it's a classmate pool party, no thank you.

It’s going to take a group of kids and adults 15-20 minutes to get changed and presentable.

Anonymous wrote:Decorate in an organized way -don’t just get the happy birthday multicolored stuff. For example, red everything - balloons (lots), table cloths, plates, napkins cups, favors and cake and maybe the birthday girl’s bathing suit. Have a splash contest - some 5 year olds will not be good swimmers.

yeah..definitely avoid birthday themed decorations at a birthday party. That is key!

When I hosted a pool party for this age, the invitation stated that each child need an adult swim buddy with them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those community pools are cold. Sounds like a fun party.

thanks party pooper

I can’t think of anything I would want to do less than get in a cold pool with a bunch of classmate parents.

This. We would not be attending.

I agree that you should make it very clear if there is no shallow end. At that age, kids are old enough that is there is a shallow space they can play where they can stand up for an hour and have fun without an adult right next to them. But if your pool does not have a wide section where young kids can stand and have heads above the water then you should be very VERY explicit that each family will need to plan on having an adult get in the water to supervise their kid.

Anonymous wrote:OP.

Yes, I expect parents (at least 1 parent) to go in with their child. I have not explicitly communicated this but given their ages, I'd be shocked if parents don't automatically assume that. People don't have to attend or go in the pool if they don't want to, I realize some people don't enjoy going in pools but others do, so I am hoping it will be fun for those who do typically like water.

Omg, unless one of my close friends I would not like this kind of party! Not fair to ask parents to get in the water for a one hour party. Do a jumpy place.

We attended one swim party for a 6th birthday at a swim lessons place, so it was a private, heated pool, shallow end so all the kids' heads were well above water, and there were two lifeguards. Only one parent (the birthday boy's dad) went in the pool. The rest of us just watched from the observation room.

They did not do activities. Just threw a bunch of toys in the water and let the kids have at it. They all had a great time. It gets really loud at indoor pools, especially if you don't have the whole place to yourself. So I wouldn't plan much other than pool toys. Just let them play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those community pools are cold. Sounds like a fun party.

thanks party pooper

I can’t think of anything I would want to do less than get in a cold pool with a bunch of classmate parents.

Anonymous wrote:Those community pools are cold. Sounds like a fun party.

thanks party pooper

Those community pools are cold. Sounds like a fun party.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP.

Yes, I expect parents (at least 1 parent) to go in with their child. I have not explicitly communicated this but given their ages, I'd be shocked if parents don't automatically assume that. People don't have to attend or go in the pool if they don't want to, I realize some people don't enjoy going in pools but others do, so I am hoping it will be fun for those who do typically like water.

Communicate it OP, otherwise you and your partner will have 10-12 kids hanging off of you for an hour. I've seen this happen.

Yup. Because some may assume it's a shallow pool or something.

My DD is 5.5 and can swim pretty well. I am excited for pool parties, because she has a summer birthday. But I think age 7 or 8 is a better age for that. And yes, watch them all like a hawk. Do not trust the lifeguards.

Anonymous wrote:OP.

Yes, I expect parents (at least 1 parent) to go in with their child. I have not explicitly communicated this but given their ages, I'd be shocked if parents don't automatically assume that. People don't have to attend or go in the pool if they don't want to, I realize some people don't enjoy going in pools but others do, so I am hoping it will be fun for those who do typically like water.

Communicate it OP, otherwise you and your partner will have 10-12 kids hanging off of you for an hour. I've seen this happen.