This weekend was absolutely beautiful here in the Bay Area! Naturally, this led to my neighborhood filling up with the sizzles, giggles, clinks and splashes of backyard barbecues and impromptu pool parties. If the weather is heating up in your neighborhood, too, use some of these fun tips to host a “Welcome Back Summer” pool party!

• Dress up the traditional hot dogs and sliced watermelon with these stylish pool party menus from YumSugar:

• Give your party favors a little color with fun flip flops (only $2.50 at Old Navy!) and inflatable pool toys from Designed2BSweet:

• Don’t forget to let the kids show off their style with fresh new summer gear from Gymboree or Quicksilver:

• And, of course, what’s a party without an adorable invitation from Tiny Prints?

A common trend for children’s birthday parties involves renting an inflatable bounce house for kids to jump in, throwing themselves around like maniacs for as long as parents will let the party keep hopping. This idea is a great way to entertain the little ones during birthday parties, but it also serves as an excellent way to integrate exercise into your child’s parties. By making fitness fun, you help to establish lifelong associations among exercise, energy and enthusiasm.

Try throwing a themed party for your children this year that includes fitness on both a fun and functional level by using some of these ideas:

• Got a soccer fan running around the house? Host a soccer-themed party and include a friendly game as a part of the entertainment.
• Give your kids and their friends a rockin’ dance party.

• Make a splash by hosting a pool party at your local YMCA. You can even organize water games like Shark and Fishies to encourage the kids to swim a little harder.
• Have a bowl-o-rama birthday at the bowling alley.
• As a part of the entertainment, organize a bike ride or group rollerblading outing at the local park.

These type of events offer the perfect way to play while you celebrate your child’s big day!

Summer has hit full swing, and that means pool parties, beach bashes and, sadly, the occasional scorched skin. But, you don’t have to lock your kids away this summer to protect them from sunburns, ticks and the other ailments of summer–give your kids the right to bare arms this Fourth of July weekend by following these simple summer safety tips.

Skin Care Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock! Stuff for Sprouts offers some great advice on how to keep your kids’ skin in good shape all summer long, including the idea of making a routine out of sunblock application to establish a healthy sun protection plan to last for many summers to come. This “mompreneur” also recommends having the kids bathe every night during summer to reduce the effect of allergens and insect bites.

Water Safety Telling your kids not to run at the pool or stray too far from your cabana at the beach are great tips, but for a more comprehensive list of water safety info, turn to Kids Heath. This organization is dedicated to providing kids with health and safety tips in a way that’s easy to understand. Go over the safe swimming guidelines with your kids, whether you are headed to the water park, pool lake or beach. They remind everyone to swim with a buddy, beware of rip tides and to have a blast (safely!) this summer.

Once you and your family are covered in SPF and sporting your Coast Guard-approved floaties, you’ll be ready to party! Check out our great selection of party invitations perfect for your next safe summer soirée!