Awesome Pool Party Ideas
Awesome Pool Party Ideas
By Cheryl Levey - http://www.party-planning-ideas.com
Copyright (c) 2005 Cheryl Levey. All Rights Reserved.
Living in Arizona, lots of people have pools, so around here, pool parties are extremely popular. The pool is an attraction and can be either used or simply as a backdrop to a more refined party. Many "wine and cheese" kinds of poolside patio parties are very nice, with dim outdoor lighting accentuated by the pool lighting. On the other end of the spectrum are the down and rowdy pool parties, where everyone's splashing and having a great time. That's the kind this article focuses on.
Where
Wherever the pool is. If you have one in your backyard, great! If not, a community or public pool can be used. Sometimes, community and public pools will even allow you to rent them out for parties, but if they don't, you'll just have to share the pool with whoever else is there.
Invitations
Shindigz has a cute one that looks like a flip flop. You can also write the details on an inflated beach ball and then deflate it to mail or give to the invitee. Use phrases like "Make a Splash With Us!" and be sure to explicitly say to bring or wear a swimsuit.
Decorations
Pool party decorations should be wildly colorful. Lots of primary colors - balloons can be tied to the pool fence (or around the yard), streamers can be put on the patio or even in the kitchen. Beach balls could be tossed around. The pool should have plenty of floatable toys, rafts, noodles, etc. in it. Be sure to put out all of your lawn chairs and lounges and give them a festive look by putting colorful towels over them. Other fun things - use a beach shovel (clean!) to scoop ice for drinks and use (clean!) pails or frisbees to serve fruits and veggies. Use tiki torches or paper lanterns for light (if your party is at night).
Costumes
Well.... if you are swimming, major costumes are not recommended! Swim suits are the costume of the day!
Favors
Favors for a pool party could be sun screen (or zinc oxide!), beach balls, flip flops, sunglasses, snorkel and mask, or a beach towel.
Food
Since everyone will be swimming, you want to keep the food lighter. Salads and snack foods will be best. If the food will be outside, avoid anything with dairy or mayo. Here are a couple of "cool" ideas: jello, popcicles, finger sandwiches, fruit smoothies, fresh veggies, watermelon, hot dogs.... You get the idea - really easy!
Cake
Here are a few pool party ideas for cakes: A sheet cake with a pool in blue icing and little outdoor loungers or figures lying on icing beach towels. Or a round cake decorated to look like a fristbee, a beach ball, or an inner tube (maybe even a bundt cake!). A cake decorated to look like a beach towel or a flip flop.
Games/Entertainment
Ok, is there anyone on earth who has never played Marco Polo? It's a little like a water-based hide and seek. One person keeps their eyes closed and calls out "Marco" and then everyone else calls out Polo, and the person with their eyes closed tries to find and tag anyone calling out Polo. That person then becomes "it" and calls out Marco. You can also toss play gold coins and dive for them (if the water is deep enough) or have swim races. Last but not least, just plain playing and splashing is always a hit!
You can also have activities out of the pool like dancing, the limbo, "hot" potato (with a water filled balloon), water gun fights, and other similar games.
Pool parties are such a blast! When you have yours, get wet, get wild, and above all, have fun!
Cheryl Levey is a writer living with her family in beautiful central Arizona. Check out her website at http://www.cherylsweb.com for more articles, ebooks, and other information.
Posted on 07/20/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
Archived Request: Pool Party Ideas
My husband Shawn turns 30 this July and I am planning a surprise pool party for him at my moms. I am inviting some of his old friends and also his friends at work. There will be alot of 2 and 3 years olds there because all of us have kids. Could you guys please send me some ideas my way. Thank you,
Angie from Virginia!
Posted on 07/20/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
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By KidsNclutter (Guest Post)
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Please also be aware that lil ones can drown in the very shallow water of a wading pool, or pool or bucket being used as a cooler. Also when many adults are together they usually assume someone is watching the kids, quite often with tragic results, this is not the case. Surrounded by loving adults many children are injured or worse due to a lack of communication. I really like the kiddie pool/sandbox idea as long as there are enough full time "life guards" for the # of kids. Have a safe & enjoyable party!
Posted on 05/23/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
Hire an onsite sitter, then you won't have to worry about your kids either
Posted on 05/23/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
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By Cheryl from Missouri (Guest Post)
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Use a child's inflatable pool to hold ice and soda or beer.
You might want to go to the $1 store and pick up some swim goggles. Kids love being able to see underwater. You could also get some small rubber toys for the kids to "dive" for.
Posted on 05/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
What a lovely idea, but PLEASE, I know you are a responsible hostess but Alcohol and Kids and Pools DONT MIX. How about getting a baby sitter to watch the littlies in a special paddle pool and entertain them all in one area. Have a great party.
Posted on 05/19/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
My daughter-in-law recently went to a party for this age group and was SO impressed with this idea:Purchase 3 or 4 small plastic pools and fill a couple with a small amount of water and the others with sand. Add a few pails and shovels and you've got a party! The little ones loved it AND it was inexpensive.
Posted on 05/19/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Pool Party Ideas
Well Luau's are always a great theme party to have. Everyone can come dressed in appropriate attire which will be easy because of the pool. Tiki torches and paper lanterns for lighting. Pigs in a blanket for the kids, and buffett style dinner for the adults. Limbo, Hula contest, cd playing hawaiian music and you've got yourself a bash. We did this for my son's 6th bday and the parents kept partying after the kid's party was over. Don't foget the leis!
Posted on 05/19/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse
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