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STEP 1: PLAN IT

1. Make Sure Your Pool Is In Perfect Shape

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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

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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

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Some ideas for pool or ocean themes are:

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  • Pirates

  • Mermaids

  • Ocean Cruise

  • Tropical Resort

  • Movie Stars By the Pool

  • Neptune's Kingdom

  • The Little Mermaid

  • SpongeBob Squarepants

4. Make Unique and Personal Invitations

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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

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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

  • DVDs (JAWS?)

  • Props (fake palm trees!)

  • Decorations from the movie/book/era/set/etc.

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Add some beach toys, sun umbrellas, and some buckets of cold water.

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