We spent the first hour of the party swimming at a local pool.
Then, we moved to a room for pizza and treats.
The food table had things like: gummy sharks, pool water (blue juice), fish and chips (gold fish mixed with salt & vinegar chips), sea creature crackers, pool noodles (liquorice), and chips served in (clean) buckets.
To use the labels I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo. I printed mine at my local copy store for $0.39.
We also had some festive tropical decor. I made an adorable pool noodle garland by slicing pool noodles and stringing the pieces together with yarn.
I also carved a shark from dollar store foam core (with an X-acto knife). I embellished it with blue paint and a black sharpie. The shark was cute decor, and it also functioned as a fun photo booth.
I also had a few summer themed games to entertain the 21 party guests. We started with chocolate bar bingo. I purchased some bingo games at Walmart for $1 each and a bunch of chocolate bars for prizes. The kids loved it!
To download the "chocolate bar bingo" sign I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo. I sent my sign to my local copy store and had it printed for $0.39.
We also had a "guess the number of fish" game. I filled a summer drinking glass (from the dollar store) with candy fish. Each party guest had a chance to guess the number of fish in the glass, and the child that was closest won the cup and the candy.
To print the sign I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.
The final party game was a "prize punch" made from dollar store foam core, plastic glasses, and tissue paper. Each child was given the opportunity to punch through the tissue paper to claim a prize. Prize punches have become staples at my boys' birthday parties. You can find the full tutorial here.
Of course, every party needs a fun cake, and my boys wanted something "swimming" related with gummy sharks. You can read all about the cakes I made here.
Finally, at the end of the party, all the guests left with a "cool" gift/ party favor. My boys gave their friends Gatorade bottles filled with freezies, but I have other options for pool party loot bags (and free downloadable tags) here.
It was a really fun party, and my boys had a great time.
We had a wonderful afternoon with a terrific group of kids. I love a good DIY party with lots of fun details, and I think a pool party theme is a lot of fun, don't you?
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
