Pool Party Planning Guide

There’s no better way to cool off during summer than with a pool party. So dive right in and use these tips to make your pool party a splashing success.

Invitations
•  Invite friends with clever pool party invitations. 

•  Include a small packet of sun block, beach themed temporary tattoos or stickers to get everyone excited about the party.

•  Ask guests to bring a swimsuit and towel.  If the party is for kids, make sure to let parents know on the invitation that there will be adults there to supervise.

•  Get creative!  Instead of sending paper invitations, blow up an inflatable beach ball and write the party details on the ball, deflate the ball then mail it to the guest.

Decorations
•  Balloons are always a party favorite.  Blow them up, tie on string, then hang them to tree branches, deck railings, fences or deck chairs.  You can even surprise kids with water balloons!

•  Fill the pools with lots of inflatable beach balls.  Kids will have fun playing with them and it’s a   great way to get everyone to interact.

•  Set tables with pool party tableware.  Colorful tableware that matches your theme is more festive and fun than regular plates and napkins.

•  Scatter small seashells on tables instead of confetti.

•  Create inexpensive centerpieces using bottles of sun block, flip flops and other fun novelties stuffed into a straw summer hat.

•  String paper lanterns around the pool.  This is a great idea for nighttime pool parties. 

Games & Activities
•  Prize Diving:  Toss some pool party favors into the water and have kids dive for them.  The child who collects the most in an allotted time, wins.

•  Rubber Duck Race:  Give each child a rubber duck and line up everyone on one side of the pool.  Each child must get their rubber duck to the other side of the pool in a certain amount of time – using only their nose.

•  Water Chase:  One child is the “chaser”.  He or she must tag everyone in the pool in a certain amount of time.

•  Water Limbo:  In the yard, line kids up to limbo using the garden hose.  Have an adult shoot out a stream of water for the kids to limbo under.  Start high then lower the water stream for each round.

•  Ice Cube Meltdown:  The night before the party, fill water balloons with water and put them in the freezer.  This will make large ice cubes.  On the day of the party, give each child one of the large ice cubes.  The one who can melt theirs the fastest wins a prize!

Food & Refreshments
•  Fill a child’s wading pool with ice to keep canned beverages cold.

•  Fire up the grill and serve hot dogs and hamburgers.  Make sure kids wait a while to get into the pool after eating to avoid stomach cramps.

•  Green seedless grapes are yummy frozen treats.  You can also freeze bananas on sticks then dip them in quick setting chocolate sauce.

•  Delight kids with tasty fruit skewers.  Slide strawberries, pineapples, grapes and cateloupe onto skewer sticks.

•  Slice open large marshmallows and put small pieces of fruit or candy inside to make fruit sushi.

•  Blend up some fruit smoothies.  Kids will love sipping on these healthy treats!

Party Favors
•  Fill favor bags with clever pool party favors like sunglasses, sun visors, squirt guns and bubbles.

•  Fill buckets or small pails with candy and novelty toys.

•  Pictures taken at parties make terrific party favors. Whether they are ready to be shared when the party ends or need to be mailed or emailed at a later date, parents especially, will love these.

If you’re looking for more clever ways to make a splash, read our Complete Luau Party Planning Guide.