North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
How To: Throw an awesome urban pool party
A kids pool party is certainly not a new birthday party idea, but they are a sure-fire hit with kids, and you can rent out the pool at your nearest Y pretty reasonably (as NYC kid parties go). I always like to do home parties, however. It's not that I'm cheap (well, yeah, maybe a little), but I am also a homebody and a control freak. I like to do everything myself and have it happen under my roof (or on my roof). So pool parties are out, right? Oh, I may be a cheap, homebody, control freak, but I'm no quitter. So, here's how to throw an awesome urban pool party whether you have a pool or not. If you have any kind of outdoor space (roof, terrace, garden, sidewalk in front of your apartment...) you can do this party with a kiddie pool, or even two. Think creatively. Maybe you could even do it in the playground or park. If you don't have outdoor space you can always do your pool party at a public pool. A pool party can be a great, low-stress party. You don't need to hire entertainment and once the kids get going, the adults can just sit back and chill while the kids have a blast in the water.
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The Pool:
This 60" Pop Up Pool is perfect for New Yorkers because it folds right up and can be stored in a drawer when not in use. If you have older kids and enough room, you might consider getting this 8' Easy Set Pool. This pool should fit in most NYC gardens or on any rooftop. Unlike a kiddie pool, it's 30" deep, so all of a sudden you've got a real pool with a filter and everything.
Activities:
The great thing about a pool party is you really don't have to have entertainment. Kids of any age will have a great time just playing with the water. Buy water guns, water balloons, turn on the sprinkler, if you have one, and you should be all set. If you feel like you need to have activities (of course you do) here's a site that has some great water games.
Food:
Kids don't really eat at parties, they're much to distracted. If the parents are going to stay, either because the kids are little or they like you, just put out food that the grown-ups will enjoy and bowls of popcorn and grapes for the children. We had our party at 11am and ordered bagels and lox and a box of coffee (ice on the side). We popped popcorn and put out juice boxes and grapes. We also made a pitcher of Bellinis to spice it up a little. Then we served ice cream sandwiches instead of cake. Absolutely no cooking or fussing involved. Super easy and everybody had a great time.
Party Favors:
For a memorable party favor it's nice to create special bags for kids to take their party favors home. You can either pre-print customized beach bags with iron-on transfers you design and print out, or buy some Fabric Markers and let the kids design their own. When the party is over let the kids each take home a water gun and some trinkets like sunglasses or goggles, beach balls, etc in their new beach totes. Here's a tip for getting great party favors cheap. Go to the wholesale district and buy toys by the dozen at wholesale prices. Most stores really don't care if you are a wholesaler or not and will even sell toys by the piece. I went to Sona on 27th street just west of 6th and got bubble guns, water guns, flashing yoyo balls and rubber bracelets with Crocs charms on them for 14 kids all for under $100.
Find more NYC birthday party ideas in our Party Guide.
