birthday party help

[alicia622]

I have just reserved a local indoor pool for DS's 5th birthday in late August. We will invite about 20+ kids (who knows how many will come) ranging from ages 3-12. We have the pool for one hour and the party room for an hour. My thoughts are to have simple snacks, drinks and cake during the party room time when DS opens presents. I am also thinking of making a pinata to do outside at the end (the pool is located next to a park so I thought this would get everyone out of the room when we need to be out!) DS has requested a cake that kinda reminds me of a jungle so I will go with that for a general theme.

My questions- should I plan games for the kids to play? I am thinking that with this age range, it will be nearly impossible to find something for them all to do. Or should I plan a couple games specifically for the younger kids? The pool has three sections. One is walk in and gets up to maybe 3 feet deep. There is a small kiddie water slide in this section and a set of steps. The second section is all 3 feet deep and there is also a deep end with a short, but very cool, water slide. If yes to games...any ideas for me?!!

[JessicaTX]

I've usually been pressed for time when i do pool parties. The kids are more than happy to play in the pool, you won't need any games, and getting them out of the water, dressed and in the room for cake and presents takes up the other hour.

[Joyster]

I think the kids will have a blast simply being in the pool. Having some neat toys might help, but like the PP mentioned, you'd be pressed for time. They'll enjoy themselves swimming.

[earthmama369]

An hour in the pool with littles means 15 minutes changing, 30 minutes in the pool, and 15 minutes to get them out at the end. And the older kids, when given access to a pool, will entertain themselves. In that amount of time, I don't think games will add more fun, just more stress (for you specifically! but also for littles feeling torn between two great options and not having enough time for both).

[waterproofmascara]

We have hosted and attended several pool parties over the years for all different ages.

Let them swim. I have even been to parties where the mom opened the gifts while the kids hung on the side of the pool and oohed and ahhed then turned around and swam again the second the last gift was opened.

[alicia622]

GREAT- no games!!!! (just what i was hoping to hear!) I will have to think about the logistics of changing and having time for the cake and gifts. I think the kids can hang out in the party room in their suits if they want and change after cake and presents. I wish I could just say NO GIFTS, but at 5, I don't think DS would be too keen on that

[andisunshine]

It's nice that you have a party room for an hour afterwards. I went to a pool party where there wasn't a room, just the lobby of the pool, and it was nuts because the next party was supposed to start fifteen minutes afterwards and they were waiting for us to clear out so they could set up. No one had time to eat cake or anything and we were rushed out the door.

[MaerynPearl]

FWIW I have found if kids want to play a game, most will come up with one on their own lol... but yeah it does not sound like any games will be needed with just an hour at that pool.