[my3beautifulboys]

Hi, My Ds will be turning 8 next month, i asked him if he wants a party, and he replied, that he'd love to have a party at the local Swimming pool. They actually organise the food, entertainment etc.

Do you think that sounds like fun? And would they be old enough around the water to be responsible? I think we would limit the party to 6 or 7 children, as i know alot of parents dont stay so we would be responsible for them?

Has anyone done this for this age, and was it ok? I would love to hear youre thoughts?

[katrina24]

Hi, I haven't hosted one but my children have attended two (the host children were turning 6 and turning 7). The kids had a blast. I personally am probably too anxious around water to host one but I did enjoy attending one. If I were to host one for a child under 12 I would probably request parents stay to supervise their children.

[baddmammajamma]

I wouldn't be comfortable having that many kids in my care at a pool -- you can't count on the pool lifeguards to do the job alone. Kids of that age can be prone to horseplay -- just a few weeks ago at our local aquatic centre, a child had to be rushed to the hospital after striking her head on the bottom of the pool while "monkeying around" during a birthday party.

I've seen parties work well when there is sufficient, active adult supervision.

If you are going to have 7-8 kids in your care, you need to have some additional adults involved in their supervision. And if Kat (hannabug's mum) were still active here, I'm sure she would back me up.

Hope your son has a great birthday!

[mumto3princesses]

I haven't hosted one but DD#1 went to one at 9yrs and my twins went to 2 at 8yrs.

Honestly, I don't think I would host one myself without a fair bit of help even though they do provide a party host.

If I did decide to do one then the one where my DD#1 went to was much better than the one my twins went to. It was in a seperate pool within the Aquatic Centre with pool gate and they could all stand. It had a big blow up slide and host. I stayed with my friend for an extra pair of eyes but it was pretty well run. Party food was done still within the pool area at some tables. No one left the area except to be taken to the toilet.

The ones my twins went to was a big pool with a huge blow up thingy to climb over and through and around and the host would spray them with a hose. It was slippery and they could slide off anywhere. It it a huge open plan place. I let my girls go but I stayed there and watched. No way would I want to be responsible for a group of kids there.

[cward]

that he'd love to have a party at the local Swimming pool. They actually organise the food, entertainment etc.

This makes me think it is an organised party by the pool people. We have been to parties like that were they have 1 or 2 instructors (depending on how many kdis) and they do activities with them, then they get out and have something to eat and then go home. If it was something like that then I would say fine. they even go on the big blow up slide thing but they go in a group with the instructor.

If you are just taking a group of kids to the pool I probably wouldn't do it at that age unless the parents were staying.

We took my DD (10) and 7 friends to a water slide place last month for her birthday, they loved it and there were quite a few parties there with much younger kids.

[knittingkitten]

DD had one for her 7th birthday. It was fantastic!

We asked a couple of the parents if they minded being in the pool too. Quite a few parents did swim as the younger siblings got in too.

The kids swam and entertained themselves. It was great not having to organise games etc.
We just had a fruit plate, chocolate crackles and some hot sausage rolls, then the cake at the end. Nanny made a mermaid cake with blue jelly- very appropriate.


This post has been edited by knittingkitten: 06/03/2013, 11:05 AM

[my3beautifulboys]

Thanks for youre replies. For this party we have decided to have it at home and a few little friends over and party games. Ds is happy with that.

I think a pool party would be fun, but my Dh is going to be working away on his Birthday, so if he was there it would be easier to do, but i feel i wouldnt be able to divide myself and supervise the children like i'd want too.

So we ll have to have the pool party perhaps next year now!