My daughter has a winter birthday and has always longed for a pool party.  location:I checked local nice hotel chains with indoor heated pools in the area and was able to get a suite that would accomodate me and 6 preteens.  Invitations:I mailed out invitations for an indoor pool/slumber party. They said, The weather outside is frightful but a heated indoor pool is SO delightful! (insert party info here). The parents dropped the kids off at my house and we shuffled the kids to the nearby hotel in two cars.  I already had the suite decorated with streamers and balloons before they got there. Activities/party favors:The kids put on their swim suits and swam for about 2 hours.  I took a couple of beach balls and noodles but they were more interested in hanging out in the pool and talking than playing games.  Because I had planned ahead right when summer was over I bought plush colorful Beach towels and nice sunglasses for each girl.  They were on clearance during the fall and very CHEAP (try Kohls and Disney online). I rolled each towel up and tied a big fancy ribbon around it with the sunglasses attached. The girls went NUTS! They loved them! I ordered pizza and cokes for the girls to eat while they watched a movie. I had a small birthday cake that was cream filled and very fancy looking but again...the magic word... cheap!  Try Krogers they do custom small fancy cakes for great prices.  I bought several cute (and very cheap) bags from SAM MOON and filled them with make up facial masks nail polish etc. I have a friend that sells Mary Kay and she was able to get me the "samples" very cheap. She even came in and showed the girls how to use the products and how to apply make up.  I had a bunch of extra samples so they could practice on each other and still have enough to take home and play with. The girls were so thrilled with swimming in winter they kept going back to the pool. Because we had a suite the girls were very comfortable and I had a roll-a-bed brought in for me and another mom that stayed to help out.  They were more than happy to do it.  Becuase it was before the holiday rush the hotel was not very full and I requested we be away from other guests I did not wnat their late night giggling to bother them.  I arranged a late check out and the parents picked the kids up from the hotel. The party was actually inexpensive. Everything I got was on clearnce and cost very little it pays to plan ahead!"