Pool Party Ideas - Non-stop Fun Filled Ideas To Make Your Party A Success

Pool party ideas are perfect for having fun on a hot Summers day, many are even lots of fun even if the weather turns bad.

You may just be inviting a group of friends around for a swim or to just bask in the sun.

Or it may be a special occasion such as a birthday which would require a bit more planning.

Bearing this in mind the first thing to decide is how casual you want to go.

Is there just going to be a couple of your friends and family having a swim and maybe a picnic or BBQ or are you going to have a full on party based around a theme with decorations?

If it is that you are just having a few friends round then just pick and choose from a few of the below ideas.

But if you are going for a full on Splish Splash Bash then follow the guide below which will make sure that your guests are from from bored, even if they don't want to swim! Start the party mid afternoon and add a BBQ and disco to see the party through to the night.

There are also a few extra themed ideas that you could use such as beach party ideas, Luau, BBQ and Summer party ideas.

Whatever pool party ideas you decide upon remember Pool Rules and sunscreen at all times, you don't want an accident ruining your party!

There are many links to party supplies in the USA throughout this page but if you are in the UK then visit Party Delights for Summer party supplies. You can also visit the USA or UK supplies pages for more ideas.

INVITATIONS

Once you have decided on a guest list then you can decide upon whether you are going to buy or make your pool party invitations.

There is a great range of pool party ideas for invitations at Tiny Prints or you can be totally unique and make your own.

The Pink Heaven Party Angels favorite invitation idea is the beach ball invitation.

This idea is simple enough all you have to do is buy enough blow up Inflatable Beach Balls for each guest. Next blow each one of them up and write on the party details with a marker:

"To (guests name)

Come make a splash at (your name)'s birthday bash on:

(date and time of party)

at (address of party)"

You could also mention a dress code - swim suit, sarong, grass skirt etc. Also if they will need to bring towels and sunscreen.

Then all you need to do is deflate the balls (you can leave them up if you want but they may be more difficult to deliver) and give them out to all the party guests!

If you want to make some easy but professional looking invites then the Pink Heaven Party Angel recommends creating extraordinary free digital invitations in minutes at Smilebox.com! You can even add your own photos, video clips and music.

DECORATIONS

Decorations for pool party ideas can range from just a pool to a full on party with cocktail bar and balloons. If you don't actually have a pool you can always buy a large blow up pool or even hire one! Here are some other decoration ideas to really set the scene:

Brightly colored buckets of sand with bunches of helium balloons tied onto the handle
Deck chairs

Tiki Hut with a cocktail or 'mocktail' bar
A small marquee or tent over the food and bar in case it rains, could also be used as a DJ booth or for a band to play. Also use some sun Umbrellas to shade the table
Pool Party Fun Personalized Banner
Tiki Bubble Machine
Cover any tables you are going to use with Turquoise Tablecovers and sprinkle with small shells or Luau Confetti, then use some summer themed party ware such as theBahama Breeze Deluxe Party Kit
Flip Flop Flower Garland
Beach balls and rubber ducks to float in the pool
Floating blow up drinks holders
Pink Flamingos or a pink Flamingo Wind Spinner
If your having a picnic spread out some large picnic blankets or if you are going to be having a BBQ then set aside an area for this
A volleyball net

A relaxation area with sun loungers, magazines etc. preferably near the cockatil or 'mocktail' bar!
An Inflatable Beach Ball Cooler filled with bottled water so guests don't get de-hydrated
Anti slip mats for guest to dry their feet off on before going inside

Also if your party is going to go on past dark the Pink Heaven Party Angel suggests lighting things up with:

Glowsticks
Tiki Torches
Fairy lights
Lanterns

PARTY COSTUMES

Wearing your swimming costume to a pool party is obvious but with a party full of people you need to look good! Make sure that you pick a pool party idea costume that flatters your body shape and if you feel self conscious you can always add a sarong or even a grass skirt if there's a Hawaiian theme.

Adopt a beach chick wavy haired look and add some waterproof mascara, lip gloss, cool sunglasses and a Multi Colored Flower Lei to finish the look off!

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE

If you are celebrating a birthday then you will need some pool party ideas for birthday cakes.

If it's a milestone birthday you may want a cake in the shape of your age or why not get a little creative with some of these other birthday cake ideas:

A swimming pool cake - a rectangular cake iced in blue with little iced people on lilos, complete with a miniature diving board
A shell shaped cake or a pink cake decorated with shells
A beach ball cake - made from a circle shaped cake and iced in bright colors
A cake stand full of cupcakes iced in blue and topped off with Parasol Picks
A mermaid cake

FOOD AND DRINK

A BBQ or picnic is your best bet for pool party ideas or a buffet style selection of food.

This can be served on Plastic Flip Flop Trays throughout the party or if you are having a party in the afternoon going on into the evening fire up the BBQ once the sun starts going down!

If you are going to serve food throughout the party try and stick to light bites so that guests are not swimming on an empty stomach.

Here are some food ideas to serve:

Salad
Burgers
Hot Dogs
Ribs
Coleslaw
Jacket Potato
Corn
Sandwiches
Pasta
Chips and dips served in clam shell bowls

Pretzels
Cupcakes with little beach balls on and iced in blue
Baked beans
Strawberries and cream
Ice cream
Roasted Marshmallows
Chocolate Brownies
Slush sipped through Floral Paradise Warm Drinking Straws
Iced lemonade
Summer cocktails (alcoholic and non alcoholic!) served in Plastic Margarita Glasses

ENTERTAINMENT

Pool party ideas are not just about swimming, there are loads of other pool party games and activities you can do - even if the weather turns bad!

Frisbee
Relaxing on blow up lilos
Have a campfire and make S'mores
Limbo
Pool Party Bean Bag Toss
Volleyball
Water fight with balloons or water guns
Throw weights into the pool to see who can collect the most. Try and find glow in the dark objects for when the sun goes in
Water balloon polo
Trampoline
Sandal Pinata
Hire a movie projector that guests can watch from sun loungers or lilos. Also provide some popcorn!

Beach Paddle Game
Magazines to read whilst basking in the sun
Have a few spa activities going on such as nail painting or hair and make up for those who don't want to swim
Hire a local band or DJ or just have a CD player with some Summer CD's
Have dessert, fruit salad or cocktail stations so guests can create their own

If rain clouds darken your party take the movie and spa activities indoors. A great indoor pool party ideas is to grill the BBQ food or have a picnic and spread picnic blankets on the floor in front of the TV.

FAVORS

In cute swim bag put a few of these pool party ideas for favors. You can then give them to guests as they arrive at the party so they can use the sunscreen, camera etc during the party.

You can also collect all the cameras at the end of the party and have them all developed and create a scrapbook of the party.

Flip Flops

Goggles
Pool Party Sunglasses
Water Guns
Silk 'N Petals Wristlet/Anklet
Sunscreen
Waterproof Cameras
Tropical Fun Party Mints
Bottled Water
Small Travel Shampoo/Conditioner
Pink Plastic Ice Cubes

Remember, if you can't find what you are looking for here then why not ask the Pink Heaven Party Angel, who is there to answer all your party questions. Or why not help others with their party planning problems by answering their questions!

Then once you've thrown your party let everyone know about it at YOUR parties, readers can then rate your party and give their comments. Your party could then help others searching for the perfect party idea, whilst giving your ideas the fame they deserve!

Return to top of Pool Party Ideas