How do I plan a pool party for swimmers and non-swimmers?

Confirm the pool rules and adult responsibilities first

Before invitations go out, confirm the pool's guest rules and what is needed for swimming, supervision and emergencies. At a booked venue, ask what the staff provide and what is still the host's job. At home, settle those responsibilities before you offer swimming. This guide doesn't set a staffing ratio or provide a swimming safety plan. Check those with the venue or an appropriate qualified source.

Keep the pool arrangements separate from the social side of the party. Giving older guests space to talk, or letting the birthday child choose the music, doesn't change who is responsible at the pool. Write down which adult has which job, and when. That way, serving food, collecting a delivery or meeting a ride doesn't take the adult responsible for the pool away from it.

Once those details are confirmed, walk through the party as if you were a guest. Where will someone arrive, leave a bag, change, get a drink and find the bathroom? Decide which rooms and outdoor areas guests can use. Set up a private place to change and a spot for bags and towels away from the food table.

Give guests who don't swim something to join

Some guests won't want to swim, can't swim that day or will want a break. Plan for them from the start rather than improvising on the day. Set up dry seats where people can eat and talk, plus one activity they can join without getting into the pool. Keep this area in view of the rest of the party and part of the group, so nobody ends up sitting alone.

One table and a comfortable place to sit may be enough. You don't need several stations if your yard or venue suits something simpler. Only choose games that involve moving around if you have a suitable dry space that's separate from the pool.

If you do have a dry, clear area away from the pool edge, a few dry games for the pool deck can keep guests busy between swims. Skip movement or throwing games if the deck is wet or crowded, or if you don't have a separate space.

• Cards or a familiar table game
• A decorated card, decorated notebook or simple paper craft
• Drawing or a birthday poster
• Questions people answer while sitting down, where anyone can pass
• Conversation over food

Planning a pool party for teenagers

With teens, ask your teen what they picture doing with their friends, and whether everyone already knows one another. Swimming doesn't have to fill every minute. These are separate example combinations, not a list to fit into one party: swimming, pizza and cards; swimming and a craft; swimming followed by a movie (check the full running time first); or swimming and a separate dry game.

If your teen would like a dry hangout after swimming, you can borrow the music and table-game ideas from a teen spa party. The spa treatments are optional, and so is a theme.

Plan the food and where people will eat

Serve food and drinks in the dry eating area. Keep bags and towels somewhere else. Put cups, napkins and trash bags where guests can find them, and have plain water available alongside any other drinks.

Tell families whether a meal is included, rather than assuming guests will have eaten. If the party overlaps lunch or dinner, serve a filling main course. If it doesn't, a snack table may be enough. Plan the quantities differently for each.

Here's an example pizza menu: pizza, fruit, pretzels, water and cupcakes. Here's an example taco menu: a meat filling, beans served separately, shells or tortillas, toppings, chips and dessert. The teen pizza party guide and the teen taco bar shopping guide go into serving and quantities in more detail. The taco guide's amounts are starting points to adjust, not promises about what guests will eat.

Decide what you'll do if the weather changes

Make the weather decision before the party, not while guests are arriving. Decide whether you'll move to an indoor activity, change the date or cancel. Then tell families when and how you'll let them know about a change.

Example: a three-hour pool party from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

This example shows how swimming, a meal and a dry hangout could fit together. It uses the pizza menu above. The swim times are not safety guidance. Change them to fit the venue's arrangements and your guests. A full movie would need a different schedule based on its running time.

Tell families what to bring and when to pick up

Send the date, address, start and finish times, food details and what to bring, such as swimwear, a towel and dry clothes, depending on your plans. Say that swimming is part of the plan, explain the arrangements you've confirmed, and invite families to talk to you about anything their child needs to take part.

Confirm who is driving, who needs a lift and who is collecting each guest. Give families a contact number and a clear pickup spot. If swimming ends before pickup, include that time too. The parent communication checklist can help you keep that short message separate from your own host notes.

Pool party checklist

• Confirm the pool rules and the supervision and emergency arrangements before inviting anyone.
• Name the adult for each pool job, and give food and pickup to other people.
• Agree on food, music, photos and an optional dry activity with your child.
• Set up dry seats and an activity that guests who don't swim can join.
• Choose a private changing area and a place for bags away from the food.
• Confirm who is eating, their food needs, and whether you're serving a meal or snacks.
• Decide on your weather backup and when you'll tell families.
• Send families the times, what to bring and pickup details.
• Leave time before pickup for changing and collecting belongings.

Sources and further reading

• Teen Pool Party
• Pool Birthday Party Ideas

Related questions

• How do I provide enough bathroom access for a party?
• How should I change a party plan in extreme heat?
• How do I plan a backyard or park birthday party?
• When should I move an outdoor party indoors or change the plan?