Any ideas for a toddler kiddie pool party? Update in 1st post:too COLD to swim? Help!

[jana616]

We are having my YDS's 2nd birthday party on the 18th. We're expecting about 20 kids (all between the ages of 10 months-6 years, most in the 2-4 yo range) and their families. In the invitations I said to join us at our mini waterpark in our backyard. Now I'm worried I need more or cooler things.

I'm planning on having 4 kiddie pools to play in (one just for the babies under 2), a slip and slide (trying to find a better one, preferably one with 2 or 3 lanes to "race"), a sprinkler, and a bunch of water balloons. One of the pools has a little Step 2 slide that goes into it, and that's pretty fun. But what else should I do? I'd love to have some games for the water balloons, but I'm not sure what 2 and 3 year olds could actually do. I'm also debating trying to have a game in one of the pools (like maybe fishing with homemade fishing rods). Do you think a game would be better, or just free space to play? If I can find some easy to squirt water guns, I'd like to have those as well.

Please, any ideas, tips, etc. would be great. I'm planning to have an hour to hour and a half of swim/play time followed by dinner, presents, and cake. Oh, and the theme is Sesame Street if that sparks anyone's creativity further! Thanks!!!

UPDATE: OK, you guys had great ideas and suggestions, and I've been working to make this pool party a blast. Well, I check the forecast today and they are predicting a high of 71 on Saturday. It's actually gone down 4 degrees since yesterday's forecast. Now, if later in the week they are calling for mid to upper 70's, we're swimming (our backyard is very sunny, and it's at 4 pm, so the hottest part of the day). But if it's 70 degrees, I think maybe we should nix the pool part. This is where I need some help. I love the idea of doing some carnival type games instead of the swimming. We'd still have the playset, and the huge paper to paint on, and bubbles. But I thought maybe I could have 4-6 "games" for the kids, as well as a temp. tattoo station, and maybe one other "station" (ideas?). Any ideas on very easy to create games (since I won't know if I need them until a day or two before the party)? I thought of making a fishing pole from a dowel rod, string, and clip and then they'd fish behind a sheet and someone would clip a prize to it. And I have an easy ring toss. Any other ideas? There will be 20 kids between the ages of 2 and 7 (most in the 3-5 year range), plus lots of parents. We have 4 grandparents and 2 aunts and uncles who could man the games.

I am really hoping it's nice enough to swim, but I want to be prepared if it's not. TIA!

[debbido71]

Family Fun magazine usually has great ideas for kids parties. Here is a link to some water games for outside:

http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor...s-water-games/

Hope it helps. Your party sounds like fun!

[JaimeK]

Sounds great - my 3 year old would be in heaven.
We have a neighborhood event every year that's just about 10 or so plastic kiddie pools, food, music and space to run around. The kids all love it and can spend hours going in and out of the pools. Have plenty of buckets and cups! Or better yet, have the favors be a bucket set! Just write the names with a paint pen or sharpie first and hand them out as they arrive.

[jana616]

Thanks guys! You're reassuring me that what I'm planning will probably be plenty. I just get all stressed out and want to have it be super cool. I definitely need to get buckets and cups ready. I wish I'd thought of that for a favor before, but goody bags are made and there's no going back on them now, lol!

I will definitely check out that link; I love Family Fun!

Thanks again!

[MSSANDRA]

I would not do water balloons at a toddler party as there will be pieces everywhere. A huge choking hazard. Otherwise sounds like fun. I would have as much water going as you have hoses. 6 year olds require a little more entertainment than toddlers. Some non water outdoor toys would be good too. Sidewalk chalk, washable finger paints (just hose the kids off), balls, maybe a sand box if you have one. Pass out those cheap ice pops, borrow a snowcone/shaved ice machine, or have jello jigglers!

Have a blast!!!!

[Macduffy]

Don't forget the squirt guns! My boys LOVE when I chase them around the yard with the squirt gun

[Bearybear]

I have to second that there shouldn't be water balloons. My mom was an OR nurse for years, and she has told me about the time they couldn't save a young child who accidentally swallowed a piece of a balloon. My son (who is 5) has never had access to anything other than a mylar balloon due to that.

[squirrel]

Skip the water balloons and set up a bubble station.

[Chereya]

Sounds like a great theme idea for a kids party! How about some of those rubber ducks from the party store? Some of them might be squirting types. I bought some birthday themed ducks for my DS's 1st BD party - they were wearing party hats, some carrying presents and some held slices of cake w/ candle in them. You could try to set up a rubber duck race from one edge of the pool to the other by splashing with your hands, maybe. Or do a few small prizes with markings on the bottom of the ducks.

How about an assortment of water/sand toys? Toy boats, water wheels, other water contraptions with spinning gears, etc. I can't think if there's a real name for this stuff but I have a mental image of it, lol.

[mmcphee]

Another vots against the water balloons! The balloon are supposed to break and they are so dangerous. Also, latex allergies are an issue.

We went to a preschool water party last year and the kids had fun. I would add bubbles and squirt guns as well. If you have a swing set, maybe a dribble or misting hose attached to the upper support so it rains down on the kids.

I would also make sure you have a "dry" play area. Some kids don't like water in their faces and may not want to be around the water as much as others.

[jana616]

Wow, thanks for the additional replies. OK, I guess we will skip the water balloons. It would certainly be easier not to have to fill them. We weren't going to have them just sitting around, more like, "let's see who can make it splash the biggest" organized type play. So we'll see...

Bubbles are a great idea. We need a better bubble blower anyway, so now would be a good time to get one. And we have a huge wooden playset and mulched area, near where the water will be, but dry. I was planning that some kids wouldn't be the fish that my kids are.

I will look into getting bubbles, squirt guns, and rubber ducks (love the splash to get them across the pool idea-there doesn't even need to be "winners"!) and probably not do water balloons. We have a huge wooden fence along the back of our yard, so I think I may put up a huge sheet of paper (we have a huge roll) and let them use the washable finger paints on that. Thanks everyone!!

[HappyDznyCamper]

Skip the water guns and buy the spray bottles from over in the health and beauty section of Target/Walmart. The bottles are cheaper, hold more water, are easier for little hands, and don't break as easily.

[3_disprincesses]

Don't forget the sprinklers! We did the same thing for my oldest DD's 3 year old birthday. A few wading pools, slip and slide, water balloons and a sprinkler. They had a great time!

[squirrel]

You can even get a few more spray bottles and add water and paint to them and the kids can spray paper.

[HappyDznyCamper]

Originally Posted by squirrel

You can even get a few more spray bottles and add water and paint to them and the kids can spray paper.

What a great idea, just be careful that it doesn't become the toddler version of a paintball fight(unless you want it to). Personally, I think the paint fight might be more fun than plain water, just use light colored washable paint(watered down, you can even add a drop of soap to make it more washable) and make sure it is ok with the parents.