Middle school kids love making a splash at a pool party.
For preteens and young teens, there is little better than jumping into the pool and relaxing with friends to celebrate weekends or summer days away from school. Whether the pool party is a birthday party, celebrating a break or just a warm-weather event, come up with ideas that will make the gathering appeal to the young guests. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Print pool party invitations on brightly colored card stock, punch a hole in the corner of each invitation and tie it to a pool-themed item such as a pair of inexpensive flip flops, sunglasses or a bottle of sunscreen. Because some parents might be cautious about sending their middle school-aged kids to a co-ed pool party, include a note at the bottom of the invitation mentioning that parental supervision will be provided. In addition, list the phone number for the supervising parent on the invitation.
Decorations
Although middle school kids might not have had the chance yet to travel to exotic destinations, they may enjoy dreaming about the opportunity. Decorate the pool party like a tropical resort with bright flowers, imitation palm trees and other similar embellishments. Cover food or gift tables with bright tablecloths, attach a raffia table skirt around the perimeter and clip tropical silk flowers to the top edge of the table skirt.
Food
Middle school kids are reaching the age where they enjoy feeling like adults. Serve foods that are fancy and the sort of things that adults would eat. For example, mix up tropical non-alcoholic cocktails with coconut milk, fruit juice and umbrella garnishes. Pieces of fruit and white chocolate fondue are also fancy treats. Offer meat and vegetable kabobs as the main course if the party is during a mealtime.
Games
Organize a few games to keep the guests occupied. If equipment is available, set up a volleyball net in the middle of the pool and divide kids into teams for a match. Another simple game is similar to searching for a needle in a haystack, but instead challenges kids to find a toothpick in the swimming pool. Have everybody begin the game out of the pool while one person jumps into the pool with a toothpick, swims around and leaves it somewhere. Then everyone else can hunt for the toothpick, and jump in and grab it when they find it.
Tags: pool party, school kids, into pool, Middle school, table skirt, they enjoy, with bright