If there's one certainty in life, it’s that everybody loves a pool party.
Here at the Great Backyard Place, we’re experts in pool building and installation. And since we're around pools so much, we know a thing or two about throwing a good pool party. We've come up with 5 pool party ideas that anyone can enjoy.
1. Hawaiian Themed Party
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. This one’s a classic because it focuses on fun.
- Ask your guests to wear Hawaiian-themed shirts. The tackier, the better. Give a prize for the most outrageous.
- Make or buy leis. Give them to your guests as they arrive.
- Decorate in bright, floral colors, with tiki torches, tropical flowers, and bamboo. * Do you have a fire pit? Time to try it out! * Blow up a kiddie pool or large inflatable float and fill it with ice for drinks. * Feeling crafty? Check out this great idea for a balloon palm tree from Party City.
- Play Limbo. Have a hula-hoop contest or set up some pineapples for a game of pineapple bowling.
- Make a pineapple ham or chicken dish. Or just set out a variety of fruits, macadamia nuts, and chips.
- For dessert: coconut cream pie.
2. Under The Sea Themed Pool Party
What goes better with water than more water? Here's how you and your guests can stay underwater even when you're not in the pool.
- Decorate with pastel paper streamers and shells.
- Get a bubble machine for underwater ambiance.
- Hang fishnets or use them as table decorations. Any kind of fish floats or balloons will also look nice.
- Serve plenty of shrimp cocktail. Crab cakes. Crab and salmon dip. If you’re up for it, have a crawfish boil. Goldfish crackers for snacking.
- Swedish Fish and saltwater taffy make great desserts.
- Plan a treasure hunt – or use toy starfish in place of horseshoes for a simple game that everyone will enjoy.
3. Movie Night Pool Party
This is something relatively simple and unique that everyone will love. You can either move your big screen TV outside or rent a projector. You won’t need a special screen – just hang a solid white sheet.
- Serve simple snacks such as popcorn, nachos, candy, and soda.
- Stock the pool with plenty of floats so your guests can relax while watching the movie.
- For a really exciting experience play a thriller like Jaws. If that isn’t your style, play a family-friendly movie like Finding Nemo or a comedy like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou – or a suspenseful action movie like Point Break.
4. Beach Pool Party
A beach party is a great chance to double-dip with a 1950s theme. It's classic, summery, and full of nostalgia.
- Decorate with beach towels, surfboard decorations, and beach balls.
- Play lots of Beach Boys and 1950s surfer music.
- If you can do it safely, build a bonfire or turn on your fire pit.
- For food, take out the grill. Hot dogs. Hamburgers. Shish kebobs. Potato chips and picnic snacks. Salsa and guacamole with tortilla chips. * If you want to do something different, give this grilled pineapple treat a try. Or, slice up some fresh fruits like watermelon, mango, and pineapple.
- A beach party is a great time to play limbo, Twister or volleyball. And don’t forget – there’s always corn hole!
5. 1980's Themed Pool Party
Everybody loves the '80s. It even holds appeal even for those that weren't even born during the era.
- Encourage your guests to dress in their “loudest” fashion. Think popped collars and big hair. Sunglasses at night.
- Hand out headbands, wristbands, anklewarmers, and jelly bracelets.
- Keep the actual decorations simple – just decorate tables and serving areas with neon glowsticks. Perfect '80s tackiness, and still classy.
- All you really need to throw a great '80s party is music. Michael Jackson, early Madonna, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran. The Police and Cyndi Lauper. Make a huge playlist and you can’t go wrong.
- For food, keep it easy. Pizza, sloppy joes, spinach bread bowl dips, Combos, and Bugles. * For extra credit, you can make a Pac-man cake.
- Have a moonwalking contest or an air guitar contest. Give out an award for the guest with the “loudest” look.
General Tips
They're already going to love you for having them over to swim in your pool and eat your food. But you want to be the best host ever, right? Here's how.
- Make sure to have plenty of extra towels and flip-flops for your guests.
- Plan ahead for a comfortable place where your guests can change.
- Place your pool furniture so it's close to the pool without being in the way.
- Have plenty of plastic cups and plates so there's no chance of broken glass.
- If your party is during the day, make sure to provide your guests with shade. If it’s at night, set out plenty of lighting and citronella candles.
- Make sure to clearly mark out the deep sections of the pool for your younger guests (and those that just don't know any better).
If you have any ideas of your own, feel free to let us know! We're always up to spend time around the pool.
Does thinking about throwing a pool party remind you of all you need to do to get your pool ready this year? If you need a little help, give us a call. Here at The Great Backyard, we want pool time to be an experience everyone can enjoy.