Make a Splash With These Pool Party Ideas

• Decorate and use tableware to set the scene for your pool party.

• Fun games will add extra entertainment for guests.

• Choose food and drinks that are summertime favorites and easy to serve poolside.

• Send your guests home with cool party favors to remember the occasion.

Any time of year is a good time to throw a party, but we especially love the extra fun to be had at pool parties! To elevate your pool experience to party level and not just a gathering, you’ll need decorations, games, and delicious party foods. Here are some fun ideas for making your pool party a splashing hit. 

Pick Your Decorations

It’s not just enough to invite friends and family to the pool. If you’re throwing a party, the decorations will let everyone know it’s an extra special occasion. Here are some themes and pool party decoration ideas to set the celebration scene. We especially love tiki bars and luaus, beach and undersea creatures, summer party, sweet treats, and carnival themes. Use bright summer colors to help your party pop. Balloons and banners are easy decor to set up at public pool pavilions or to decorate your back porch. Just be sure to secure them well in case of wind. Colorful flowers make for wonderful table centerpieces at any pool party. 

Floating Cooler

Make sure hydration is always close at hand by making a round inner tube into a cooler. Simply grab a bucket that is bigger than the hole in the middle of the inner tube and fill it with ice and drinks. Don’t make it too heavy or it might sink. Then send your cooler floating off into the pool.

Fun Floaties

Don’t underestimate the power of pool floaties! Oversized and unique pool floaties will entertain young kids for hours. Match a beach birthday theme with inflatable sharks and dolphins. Get a variety of floaties that kids can share and use together.

Yard Tic Tac Toe

You’ll need some entertainment for guests who are taking a break from swimming, too. And while we love classic cornhole as an outdoor game for both kids and adults, we think you should give this new pool party game idea a try! Grab a sheet and mark the tic tac toe grid using tape. Get some frisbees in two different colors and see who can get three in a row first in a game of yard tic tac toe!

Catch the Watermelon

This pool birthday party idea brings all the fun of chasing a greased-up pig into the pool (without the pig)! The game is simple. Thoroughly coat a watermelon with petroleum jelly and toss it into the pool. Hanging onto the greased-up watermelon is harder than you think, and kids will have a blast testing their skills to grab it. The winner is the person who emerges holding the watermelon. Be sure to have a suitable prize for the victor. When the game is over, serve up some precut slices of watermelon to guests — you can save the greased watermelon to be washed and eaten at another time. 

Rubber Duck Party Favors

This pool birthday party idea is perfect for kids. Hand out rubber duck party favors to guests as they arrive so that everyone has a cute party toy to play with during the event. We carry so many options from dinosaur or superhero-themed rubber ducks to super cute unicorn or glitter rubber ducks!

Pool BBQ

While you could get fancy with pool party meal ideas, you can be positive that everyone, young or old, will enjoy a simple and delicious BBQ. Throw on some cheeseburgers or hot dogs. If you want an easy veggie to grill and eat, grab some fresh ears of sweet corn. All you need to do is peel some of the outer leaves off. Then grill for about 10-15 min, turning once. Chicken and veggie kabobs are another grilled item that’s easy to grab and eat for guests. You can either buy them premade or prep them the night before the party.

Dive In!

The sooner you start planning your pool party ideas and decorations, the easier it will be when the day of the party arrives. Start gathering your decorations and party supplies a few weeks out so you can move on to making the entertainment and meal plans. Send your invitations about 4-6 weeks early so guests can make room in their busy summer schedule. Browse the Ultimate Party Super Store’s party supplies now for trending summertime themes and get a jump on the ball! For orders of $79 or more, get free shipping from our party store directly to your doorstep.