Like you, we’re looking forward to enjoying some fun in the sun with friends and family this holiday season. Over 80% of people said they were going to host or attend a pool party over summer, and we want to ensure they are safe and fun for everyone. Staycations are on the agenda too this year, so we’ve rounded up some great tips and party tricks to make your
So start your next event
by making sure your pool area is ready for guests.
It only takes a few minutes to check that your pool fences and gates, including the latch and hinges, are in good working order. Do you have a latch that locks? Kids are drawn to water, and easily motivated to get into a pool, so you need to have multiple layers of protection. Research shows 51% of children have used a chair to climb to reach a latch and 21% have climbed the fence. We need to be vigilant, providing reliable gate defence. We recommend the Australian-made and -invented MagnaLatch® - magnetic safety gate latches and TruClose® polymer gate hinges. With a keyable lock and options with an alarm, they are the safest, most effective option for gates and have saved countless lives since they were invented over 30 years ago.
Glass pool fencing –the modern trend.
Glass gates can also offer superior gate latch security with the MagnaLatch® ‘Side-Pull’ Lockable. The latch mounts to the glass gate on the interior side of the pool fence ensuring a sleek finish with no visible fasteners.
The MagnaLatch® Side-Pull Lockable Glass Hardware Kit will work on 8 or 10mm thick glass. There are also models that will fix to round and rectangle posts.
MagnaLatch® Side Pull also comes in a Stainless Steel model for use on glass-to-glass gate applications.
The ultimate MagnaLatch for safety!
A magnetic child safety gate latch with in-built electronic visual and audible alarms. Key lockable.
Our regular, time-honoured magnetic child safety gate latch with advanced locking features. Key lockable.
A smaller, general-purpose magnetic gate latch for metal or glass pool or household gates. Key lockable.
Adjustable, self-closing hinges for child-safety or general-purpose gates. Available in a range of models to suit gate materials and regular or heavy duty applications.
Helps prevent toddlers using the bottom gate hinge as a climbing foothold.
Marco Polo is always a favourite with the kids (and adults) in the pool but here are some new pool party games to try in 2022.
Start by choosing someone to say the message (usually one or two words) and someone to be the guesser. Go underwater at the same time. The messenger says a word loudly underwater. When you get back up the guesser has to say what word they think the person said. Consider choosing a theme, like animals or fruits, to make it a little easier to guess the word.
This pool game is perfect for pool parties, as it’s best played with a large group of kids - three or more kids per team. All teams start at one side of the pool and have to get to the other side and back in different ways. Swimming underwater, swimming only with your left arm, swimming the backstroke, etc. The first team to complete the relay wins.
Little kids love playing this pool fishing game. All you’ll need is at least one fishing net and a fun treasure box of dive toys. Drop or throw the toys/treasures into the water and see if your kids can catch them before they hit the bottom of the pool.
This is a great game that can be played all summer long and has the added bonus of sharpening kids’ maths skills. Start by using a permanent marker and numbering 25 (or more) ping pong balls (1-25) and grabbing 2 buckets (or bowls). Divide the kids into 2 teams and place them (with a bucket) on opposite sides of the pool. Throw all the balls in the pool. Ready, set, go! Everyone jumps in and collects balls to put in their bucket. However, you can only collect one ball at a time. When all the balls are collected, the highest-scoring team wins.
This is a great game for a large group. Grab a beach ball and get started! The goal of this game is to keep the ball in the air. You can pass it to other players or go around in a circle. You just need to keep it from touching the water. Count out loud how many times the ball is hit. When the beach ball touches the water, the round is over, and you start a new game. Try to beat your score from the last round.
Source: https://runwildmychild.com/pool-games-for-kids/
Use your fence, doorways and stair banisters to hang streamers, tinsel, fairy lights, garlands of foliage or any type of decorations.
Use tablecloths with a Christmas print, bright colours or patterned in the theme of your soiree.
Place party-themed centrepieces throughout your food table, drinks trolley and elsewhere throughout the space, such as the mantlepiece, bookshelf, or in pot plants.
Hang lights! Wrap your trees or patio posts in lights, or run them along the fence. Candles, fairy lights, festoon lights or paper lanterns will always add to the mood of your party and create an atmosphere of fun and festivity.
Inflatable baubles, beach balls or paper pompoms are simple, cheap and effortless ways to add some colour and celebration to your room and backyard. Most homeware and department stores stock these.
Is it really summer unless you have your BBQ lit? Here are some great easy recipes to enjoy.
Prawn Skewers
3 cloves garlic, crushed
36 green prawns
1/2 cup beer
1-2 small red chillies, sliced
2 green shallots, finely chopped
1 lime, juiced, rind finely grated
2 tsp honey
1 tbs soy sauce salt reduced
6 slice crusty wholegrain bread
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs olive oil
200g leafy mix
• Combine beer, lime rind and juice, garlic and chilli in a shallow dish. Add prawn skewers and turn to coat well. Refrigerate for 30 mins. Stir honey and soy sauce together and set aside.
• Preheat BBQ to moderate. Remove prawn skewers from marinade and brush with oil. Cook skewers for 2 minutes each side or until prawns change colour.
• Place salad leaves on serving platter and place prawn skewers on top. Drizzle soy mixture over prawns, and top with shallots.
Summer Potato Salad (serves 8) 1.5 kilograms kipfler (fingerling) or small dutch cream potatoes 4 eggs, at room temperature
4 rindless bacon slices (260g), halved 2 tbs coarsely chopped fresh chives
2 tbs coarsely chopped fresh dill ¼ cup (45g) drained cornichons, sliced 1 cup (300g) whole-egg mayonnaise 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard 1 clove garlic, crushed
• Scrub potatoes, place in a large saucepan filled with salted water, bring to the boil. Reduce and simmer, covered, for 15 mins or until potatoes are tender. Drain; cool slightly. Cut potatoes into rounds, transfer to a bowl.
• Place eggs in a small saucepan. Cover with warm water and bring to the boil for 3 mins. Drain then rinse under cold water until cool enough to handle and peel.
• Preheat grill. Place bacon, in a single layer, on an lined oven tray and grill until browned. Turn and grill until browned. Drain on paper towel. Chop coarsely.
• Reserve some of the bacon, chives and dill. Add remaining bacon, chives and dill and sliced cornichons to potato bowl. Add combined mayonnaise, mustard and garlic; toss gently. Season to taste.
• Spoon potato salad into a serving bowl. Top with halved eggs and the reserved bacon, chives and dill.
Everyone can have fun in the sun with these simple pool prep and safety tips from Kids Alive.
Set up a ‘kids only’ area or table, complete with water, sunscreen, hats, dry towels and snacks. This will keep them away from your beautifully arranged platters and BBQ area, and keep the mess contained to one area.
Check the swimming ability of each child present with both the child and their responsible adult. Does anyone need floaties or a swim vest?
Before even a toe gets wet, make sure everyone knows your pool and house rules e.g., no running around the pool, no pushing, no eating or drinking near the pool, no hands on anyone in the pool.
Point out where the deep and shallow ends are and whether there’s any steps, ladders or drops offs to be aware of.
Supervise. Ensure at least one adult is actively supervising in the pool. Share the responsibility and take it in turns with the other adults.
Don’t forget to slip, slop slap.
