20 Pool Party Ideas to Copy This Summer

Sweltering temps, spritzers on ice and sunshine aplenty, summer is here and what better way to celebrate the season (and beat the heat) than hosting an unforgettable pool party in your backyard? Take the plunge and use our tips to create the ultimate poolside event for family and friends. We're sharing refreshing cocktail recipes, mouth-watering bites, dreamy DIY decorations and thoughtful hostess touches that will leave guests speechless the moment they enter your outdoor space. Read on for our best pool party ideas for adults and kids.

Ensure your guests sidestep sunburns and bug bites with a DIY skin defense basket. Use a wire bin, glossy pail or woven basket as your base and fill with summer skin essentials. Cover all your bases and include a body sunscreen, facial sunscreen, kid-friendly sunscreen, bug spray and cooling aloe vera gel.

Guests are guaranteed to leave with a smile on their face with this Lowcountry crowd-pleaser on your menu. Our sheet pan shrimp boil offers all of the mouthwatering flavors found in traditional Lowcountry boils without the infamous mess that comes with it. Serve with fresh lemon, hot sauce and plenty of napkins at the center of your picnic table.

What's a pool party without someone forgetting to bring their towel from home, right? Save your guests from themselves and keep them comfortably dry between dips with a thoughtful towel caddy. Use wire cubbies, a woven basket or a bar cart as your caddy base, then roll your towels into compact, easy-to-grab cylinders for a neat presentation.