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How to throw a great pool party
As the warmer months approach, you might be thinking about throwing a pool party for your friends and family. A great pool party is something everyone will be talking about all summer, so it’s worth pulling out all the stops to make it memorable.
It takes a lot of thought and preparation to plan a great pool party, so you should get the details squared away as soon as possible. Once you have the date, time and guest list solidified, you just need to gather some great food and party favors.
Shop this article: Supergoop! Play Everyday Sunscreen, Kaufman Oversized Cotton Beach Towels and Intex Inflatable Ride-On Flamingo
What to consider when hosting a pool party
Find a venue
If you’re lucky enough to have your own pool or know someone with a pool, you have the most important aspect of your party set. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a pool to host your party.
Send invites
Since everyone uses the internet, sending e-invites for a pool party is perfectly acceptable. If you’re only inviting close friends and family members, a simple text message or email with the details is fine. If you want to create a more elaborate invite for kids’ parties or large gatherings, consider using a colorful mail invitation.
Provide the essentials
Hosts should provide the essentials at any pool party. Ideally, you should provide sunscreen and enough towels for all your guests to have at least one for each person. If you’re throwing a large party and there’s no way you can provide enough towels, just make sure your guests know to bring their own.
Serve food and drink
Guests may not expect a full meal at a pool party, but you should still provide an array of snacks. Since you’ll be out in the sun, make sure you have plenty of soft drinks and water available to keep guests well-hydrated. If you are serving alcoholic drinks, stick to weaker beverages, such as wine and beer. Remember, swimming pools and excessive drinking don’t mix.
Think about pool safety
If you plan on having both kids and adults present at your pool party, you can remind parents that they are responsible for their children’s safety. However, if you’re throwing a kids-only pool party, it’s a good idea to have a lifeguard present or a designated adult who can keep a close watch on the pool at all times.
Consider what’s happening outside the pool
While the pool is undeniably the star of the show, you should have some activities for people who don’t want to swim or want to take a break from the water. Games like swingball, volleyball and giant Jenga appeal to most age groups. If there isn’t natural shade around the pool, you should create a few shady spots for your guests with patio umbrellas or shade sails. Make sure you have plenty of seating available, whether it’s on pool loungers, patio chairs or outdoor floor cushions scattered on the ground.
Best pool party essentials
Supergoop! Play Everyday Sunscreen
This broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen is the perfect product to keep your guests safe from sunburns. It is strong enough for kids’ delicate skin and is water-resistant too.
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Kaufman Oversized Cotton Beach Towels
These are ideal if you need to stock up on towels for your guests. Large and absorbent, these towels are available in six colors: pink, orange, green, purple and two shades of blue.
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Eco Soul Disposable Palm Leaf Plates
For the environmentally conscious, these plates are an earth-friendly alternative to disposable plastic plates. They’re also more rigid than paper plates, so there will be fewer spills and stains.
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Forgo plastic cups and opt for these aluminum cups instead. They’re sturdy enough for one cup to last through the whole party. Additionally, they are easier to recycle than plastic or paper cups.
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Best pool party decorations
These outdoor torches provide light and create ambiance if your pool party keeps going after the sun goes down. They are made from bamboo and have a burn time of up to five hours.
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Creative Converting Water Print Plastic Tablecloth
Designed to look like water in a pool, this is a great tablecloth for a kids’ party. It is just what you need to spruce up patio furniture and can protect your table from an impressive birthday buffet.
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PartyWoo Crepe Paper Streamers
If you want to decorate the area around the pool, crepe paper streamers are an eco-friendly option you can use in various ways to make creative decorations.
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Best pool floats and inflatables
Sloosh 4 Pack Inflatable Pool Floats
These adorable pool floats look like a kiwi, a watermelon, an orange and a lemon. While they’re great for kids, they’re also suitable for small adults, so they’re ideal for mixed-age parties.
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Jasonwell Inflatable Avocado Pool Float
Shaped like a giant avocado, this float is perfect for adults and kids to lounge on in the pool. The pit of the avocado doubles as a beach ball, providing your guests with an extra source of fun.
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Intex Inflatable Ride-On Flamingo
Large enough to fit teenagers and adults, this huge inflatable flamingo is a fun addition to any pool party. It is sturdy and has two handles for support.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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