10 Ideas for an Epic Kids' Pool Party

Throw an awesome pool party that kids will be talking about all summer long.

By: Erin Gifford
Related To:
Kids Parties Summer Outdoor Rooms Pools and Water Features

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Start With Splashy Invitations

There's no better feeling than opening up an envelope or an email to find an invitation to a refreshingly splashy summer pool party. You'll find fun, easy-to-customize online invitations with flip-flops, sunglasses and pool floaties on Evite. Or, print your own. Blogger Wita Puspita of Design is Yay! has loads of free printable invitations on her website, including this Splish, Splash pool party invitation template.

Wow With Insanely Cool Pool Floats

Pool floats have gone so far beyond basic inner tubes. Every epic summer pool party needs crazy pool floats, like unicorns, flamingos, watermelon slices and even ice cream cones. Get an accurate party headcount before guests arrive so you can make sure that every child has their own float for lazing the day away in the pool. Floaties make great party favors, too!

Rock the Pool Deck With Colorful Decor

When kids enter the pool deck, wow them with colorful decorations. Hang beach balls, fill the pool with oversize floats and set out colorful beach towels on every chair. Create a photo-worthy display of pool snacks, and add to the theme by filling a baby pool with ice to keep bottled drinks cold.

Set Out Kid-Friendly Party Treats

You can't have an awesome pool party without incredible snacks and refreshing drinks to keep kids fueled and hydrated throughout the day. Watermelon ice pops and mini waffle cones filled with fresh fruit are fun (and healthy!) grab-and-go snacks. Think about Rainbow Twizzlers, too, since they look so much like pool noodles. For drinks, try Ocean Water. And don't forget crazy straws!

Let There Be Selfies

Every kid wants to be snapped while splashing around at a pool party. Colorful floats and decorations make perfect backdrops, but also consider setting up a DIY selfie station complete with flower leis, beach balls and oversize sunglasses. Let party-goers follow the fun by creating a party-specific hashtag to tag on photos, like #sarahsepicpoolbash.

Keep Kids Active With Pool Games

Keep kids entertained with games that can be played both in the pool and poolside. A few in-water favorites include sharks and minnows, freeze tag and Marco Polo. Also, try a scavenger hunt in which pairs of kids collect certain items you've tossed into the pool, like two dive sticks, two pool rings, etc. As for poolside games, consider cornhole or ladderball.

Bring On the Party Favors

Every kid will remember the incredible pool party at your house when they take home fun favors, like sand pails filled with candy or brightly-colored beach towels. Look to a party store website to buy favors in bulk, like sea creature swim goggles and inflatable animal pool noodles.

Stock Up on Party Supplies

Make a shopping list so you can stock up on all the party-specific supplies you need, like sunscreen, beach towels, pool noodles and extra goggles. It's also a good idea to have a few life vests and armband floaties on hand, just in case anyone forgets to bring their own.

Don't Let the Fun End When It Gets Dark

Let the party extend well past sunset with proper outdoor lighting. You may already have LED lighting in your swimming pool, so plan to light up the surrounding space. Hang strings of globe lights over the pool and lace twinkle lights around tall plants and deck spindles. Another idea is to set up tiki torches around the pool area. Make sure pathways and steps are illuminated, too.

Pump Up the Party Jams

No pool party is complete without the right music. Turn up the beat with your own summer playlist or look to online music services, like Spotify or Pandora, to create one for you.

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