Psst … it’s pool party season! Break out the goggles and the pool floaties, because now is the perfect time to make a splash with an epic backyard bash. Whether you’ve got a lap pool, a kid-sized affair or even just sprinklers, we’ve got plenty of pool party ideas to inspire your next shindig.
Decor
Set the mood and let your party goers know how big of a splash they’re in for with bright colors and festive accents. From beach balls to pool noodles, here’s how to make your party look picture perfect.
1. Tissue Paper Pineapple Poufs
Add a pop of color to your decor with this fabulous idea from Frog Prince Paperie. Bright yellow poufs are transformed into cute pineapples—just the thing to give your party a tropical, island-inspired vibe. Click here to learn how to make your own.
2. Jellyfish Lanterns
Give your pool party that under-the-sea vibe with these whimsical sea creatures from Me and My Insanity’s Mermaid Birthday Party. All you need are some colorful paper lanterns and some crepe party streamers and ribbon to match. Create the look with these simple steps.
3. Beach Ball Garland
You can buy mini beach balls or make them on your own for this simple, but stellar garland. All you need is a little paint, styrofoam balls and string! Get the tutorial over at Studio DIY.
4. Mermaid Table Setting
If your guests seem to love spending more time in the water than on dry land, bring the sea tableside with mermaid decor like this spread from Bashery & Co. They won’t mind coming out of the water to eat with seashells and glitter to gaze at.
5. Balloons in a Pool
Make your pool extra colorful and fun by throwing balloons into the mix! It’s a fun and affordable idea that’ll get kids rushing for more water play. Attendees of the Dukes and Duchesses’ party certainly had a blast.
6. Popping Colors
Summer is all about bright candy colors. You can easily (and affordably) add lots of color with nothing more than plastic dollar store tablecloths like this pool party from Spaceships and Laser Beams. Cover your food table with one and then drape the second tablecloth on the wall for a fun backdrop like the one pictured.
7. Inflatables
From flamingoes to donuts, pool inflatables come in all kinds of fun shapes and sizes. They can add a splash of color to the main attraction—your pool—and smaller ones can serve as DIY ice chests or just whimsical table decor.
Food
You’ll want to offer plenty of snacks and treats to keep your guests energized. Check out all the cute and clever ways to keep them fueled up below.
8. Fish Food Snack Mix
Kids can fuel up as they play the afternoon away with this genius snack mix from Mama Cheaps. With some “fishy” ingredients mixed in, it’s perfectly on theme. Click here to get the recipe.
9. Watermelon Shark
How cute is this edible idea from Inspirational Mama?! It’ll look amazing as the centerpiece of your party, and kids are sure to gobble up all the fruit. And it’s easier to pull off than you might expect—click here for a step-by-step guide, plus some tips on picking the perfect watermelon.
10. Pool Noodles
Those colorful pool noodles aren’t just great for water play, they’re also delicious. Well, they are when they’re made of licorice. Give your party guppies a sweet treat with this adorable idea for Pool Noodle Licorice from Hostess with the Mostess.
11. Snow Cone Cupcakes
Can’t decide between serving cake or ice cream? These adorable Snow Cone Cupcakes from Mimi’s Dollhouse are the perfect compromise. They look refreshingly delicious, but you won’t have to worry about them melting in the heat.
12. Sand Dollar Cookies
How cute are these sand dollar cookies from Poet in the Pantry? Your little sous chef can get involved rolling the cookies in cinnamon sugar and putting the sliced almonds on top. Find out how to make these snickerdoodles gone beachy by clicking here.
13. Bear on the Beach JELL-O
Yum! For those with a sweet tooth, these JELL-O pools topped with fancy umbrellas and cute gummy bears will be a hit. Kids won’t be able to get enough sweet delight. Guarantee a line of happy smiles with this recipe from I Sing in the Kitchen.
14. Snack Table
Prepare a snack bar full of healthy choices to keep your kid’s energy up for the day. Let them load up on their dose of fibrous celery, fruit and wafer snacks. Crissy Crafts cleverly decorated her fruit platter to look like a beach ball. Amazing!
15. Pool Water Punch
Just one sign can change everything. Bethany from Maryland Pink and Green labeled her punch pool water, resulting in many snickers and giggles from the kids.
16. Tasty Popsicles
Cool the kids down without any added sugar with these refreshing Honey Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles. For more delicious flavors check out our astounding list of 20 drool-worthy popsicles that are healthy, fresh and downright perfect for beating the summer heat.
Activities
There’s more to water play than splashing and swimming laps. Whether your kids can swim in the deep end or like to float in the shallow end of the (wading) pool, here are some fun games that’ll have them hopping with excitement.
17. Water Ballon Piñata
Skip the candy and let the party piñata sprinkle your guests with water instead. Hang overfilled water balloons in a tree or play structure and stand back while they take turns swinging a plastic bat or paper tube to see how many they can burst. Check out more fun water games here.
18. Classic Pool Party Games
You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money on planning some awesome activities for your guests. Keep them entertained and splashing with something as simple as a cannonball competition or a good old-fashioned game of Marco Polo. Check out more classic water games here.
19. Sponge Ball Toss
Move aside water balloons, there’s a new wet and wild game that’ll last much longer! Follow Crazy Adventures in Parenting to learn how to make these squishy, fun-soaked sponge bombs.
20. Ocean Animal Race
Ready, steady, go! Race your ocean animals in a wading pool by squirting them with a hose or a water gun. Kids will have a blast cheering on their friends or favorite animal. Use string to make lanes for a real Olympic race. See what other kinds of ocean animal diving games you can play over at Toddler Approved!
21. Noodle Sprinkler
You don’t need a pool to have a splashing good time. Turn your garden hose into splash pad sprinkler with nothing more than an inexpensive pool noodle. Get the full directions here from Mommy’s Block Party.
22. Kid-Approved Pool Games
There are so many great pool games out there, but one of our favorites involves numbered ping pong balls. Intrigued? Click here to find out more from Life of a Homebody, plus a bunch more awesome games.
Favors
Your guests will be having so much fun they might not want to leave, but you can keep the party going with a fun memento from the day. Check out these awesome party favors that your guests will love and appreciate both during the party and long after it’s over.
23. Beachy Jars
Keep things simple (but still super cute) with this idea from Fawn via Everyday Party. Use the free printables to jazz up some jars, then fill them with candies and small goodies. To get all the details, click here.
24. Spray Bottles
For some reason, all kids seem to be obsessed with squirt bottles, which is why we love this simple idea from Gwynn Wasson Designs. It’ll help your guests keep cool all summer long! Click here to get the details.
25. Fish in a Slime Bag
Let your guests keep the party going with sparkly slime. This adorable Fish in a Slime Bag favor from My Frugal Adventures is the perfect takeaway to remind them of how much fun they had at your pool party.
26. Towel and Water Bottle
Tell your friends to skip the towels and water bottles because you’ve got them ready—as party favors! oh goodie designs packaged theirs with a ribbon and a colorful label.
27. Cool Shades
Protect those big eyes from the bright summer glare. Kids from Miss Prim and Me’s pool party got to choose from a chromatic display of super cool shades.
28. Starfish Headbands
Pool hair? No one will care when you outfit your water-loving guests with these starfish headbands from sandsurfcreations.
29. Beach Ball Party Invite
Forget the usual paper party invites and give your guests something that will really get them excited about your bash with these Beach Ball Invites from The Bubbly Hostess. It’s like an invite and pre-party favor all in one!
30. Sunscreen Station
It might not be super exciting for your young pool partiers, but parents will definitely appreciate this favor. Put out all kinds of toddler-friendly sunscreen that your guests can use at the party and even take home. SPF 50 for the face and a spray on one that’s waterproof? Check, check! And look at the extra flair Entertain with Jordan gave to her station!
—Shahrzad Warkentin with Christal Yuen
Featured photo: DavidAKeller via Unsplash
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