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STEP 1: PLAN IT
1. Make Sure Your Pool Is In Perfect Shape
A week or so before your party, test everything pool-related, such as lights, jets, and the filter. Ensure that the pH and chlorine levels are adjusted and keep in mind that a chlorine residual of 3.0 is perfect. The morning of the party, skim the pool to get rid of excess debris. Plus, take a look around the pool for possible trip hazards like patio/furniture, which should be moved from the pool deck to allow easy access to the pool.
2. Start With Some Rules
Although rules may be boring, they keep everything from getting out of control. Set party guidelines and talk them over with your guests. Include how many people are invited. 1-20 is a good number (very important - if one person invites 2 people, and another person invites 2 people, and it keeps going, you could end up with over 50 guests!). Younger children will need more adults to chaperone them.
3. Decide On the Theme
Some ideas for pool or ocean themes are:
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Pirates
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Mermaids
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Ocean Cruise
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Tropical Resort
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Movie Stars By the Pool
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Neptune's Kingdom
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The Little Mermaid
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SpongeBob Squarepants
4. Make Unique and Personal Invitations
Reflect the theme in the invites. Make sure to include the date, time, RSVP, and the theme (for costumes). Have your guests dress to the theme. A fun idea is black/white bathing suits with sunglasses for a rich and famous celebrity theme. But don't go over the top - a massive mermaid tail can be difficult to maneuver, and if no one dresses up, that's fine too - just have fun! You can either let your guests choose their costumes or you can advise them in the invitation.
5. Include Fun Decorations
Try to choose items that fit in with the theme. You can use banners, balloons, or streamers; just don't let them get wet. Other elements suited to a theme might include:
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Posters and pictures
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DVDs (JAWS?)
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Props (fake palm trees!)
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Decorations from the movie/book/era/set/etc.
Add some beach toys, sun umbrellas, and some buckets of cold water.
