Floats can serve as party favors.
A pool party is an appropriate way to celebrate a summer birthday. Let your daughter invite her closest friends for a day of swimming, relaxing and catching up on what has happened since school let out. Carry the aquatic theme throughout your party---from the invitations and decorations to the cake and party favors. Be sure to get the birthday girl's input so the party reflects her style and taste. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Enlist the help of the birthday girl---and maybe a few friends---for the invitations. Purchase inexpensive pairs of flip-flops; you'll need one flip-flop for each guest. Write the party details on the flip-flop with a permanent marker and embellish it with sequins and glitter. Hand deliver the flip-flop invitations to guests.
Decor
Decorations for a pool party should be festive and practical. Beach towels can double as tablecloths. Hang colorful beach balls from the ceiling of the pavilion area or simply toss them in the pool. Choose towels and pool accessories in the birthday girl's favorite colors.
Activities
The girls might want to stay in the pool throughout the party, but to offer a break from the water, plan at least one activity. Buy large T-shirts for the guests, and let each decorate her shirt with fabric paint, glitter and sequins. After they dry, these shirts can serve as cover-ups for the girls. If they're up for it, you can even stage an impromptu fashion show for the girls to show off their creations.
Favors
Choose favors that guests can enjoy during and after the party. Purchase enough pool accessories---such as floats, beach balls and noodles---for each guest. Let the kids enjoy these items throughout the party, and then allow guests to choose an item to take home at the end of the party. To avoid problems, you might want to purchase extra items or items in the same color (as chosen by the birthday girl) so guests don't argue over who gets to take what home.
Cake
Disney Family Fun suggests a festive snorkeler cake for a pool party. This style cake fits with the theme and is easy to make at home. Two round cakes create the snorkeler's face, while candies can serve as facial features. Choose a frosting that matches the birthday girl's skin tone and hair so the snorkeler looks like her. Add a new snorkel and diving mask to the cake, which the birthday girl can clean and use in the pool later.
Tags: birthday girl, pool party, beach balls, each guest, might want, party favors, throughout party