26 Ways to Make Your Summer Pool Party the Stuff of Instagram Legend
If anyone dares to throw you in the water, number four might soften the blow.
As the weather warms up, indoor dinners and movie nights start to shift outdoors to barbecues, bonfires, and pool parties. A fun pool party is the best way to beat the summer heat and celebrate a loved one's graduation, Father's Day, or just a weekend. They're not just for people who have a luxurious in-ground pool, either. We've rounded up 26 pool ideas for backyards of all shapes and sizes—even balconies and patios. (A novelty inflatable pool or stock tank pool can fit practically anywhere.) Invite a few friends over and make the most of those summer Fridays.
To make a pool party fun, we recommend sprucing up your pool landscaping to make a great first impression and having a variety of on-theme snacks, like grilled skewers and crudités, to keep guests satisfied. Take it one step further and throw the best pool party ever by sending out festive invitations and investing in plenty of festive floats and comfortable lounge chairs for guests to lounge on when they're not taking a dip. If you've been invited to a pool party and are wondering what to bring, we suggest your favorite beach towel, plenty of sunscreen, and a seasonal hostess gift like a bottle of rosé and colorful acrylic wine glasses—perfect for sipping poolside.
Ahead, we highlight 16 amazing pool party ideas, from inflatable kiddy pools to mobile movie screens and even a floating lounge complete with a disco ball. You'll have everything you need to make each of your summer weekends greater than the last.
Keep the Party Going
For nights when you don't want the fun to end, set up an outdoor movie screen to keep everyone entertained after the sun goes down. Pool floats and string lights help create cozy ambiance.
Shop Now Outdoor Movie Screen
Grab-and-Go Snacks
When you're dripping wet, the last thing you want is to get chlorine water all over your plate. Instead, opt for easy-to-grab skewers and finger food for a mess-free meal.
Shop Now Stainless Steel Skewers
Make Your Own Oasis
Don't let the lack of a pool prevent you from having a refreshing summer. Blow up an affordable kiddy pool and lounge the day away with your friends. The best part is you can deflate it to make room to play lawn games whenever you want.
Shop Now Inflatable Pool
Keep It Small
If you have a smaller backyard, a stock tank pool and plenty of rainbow accessories are all you need for a fun summer soiree.
Shop Now Rainbow Pool Float
Stay in the Shade
Our best tip for an all-day pool party: Make sure there's plenty of shade. With this festive pool float, guests can lounge on the water without being scalded by the sun's rays.
Shop Now Canopy Pool Float
Color Coordinate Everything
For a cohesive party from beginning to end, choose one color and run with it. This maximalist backyard from the 2022 Kips Bay Palm Beach showhouse is pink and white all over, from the striped canopy to the backgammon board. To give your Instagram photos extra magic, ask your guests to arrive in the same palette.
Set Up an Ice Cream Bar
Frozen desserts are a must. This DIY ice cream bar is the easy way to serve a crowd—plus, it's just fun.
See more at Sugar and Charm.
BUY NOW Ice Cream Scoop, $12, amazon.com
Come Up With a Theme
Give your pool party a dress code and then decorate for the theme accordingly. Some ideas include tropical or all-white for a classic, dressier pool party. Or you could get weird and choose a TV show or something oxymoronic, like summer goth, for your jumping-off point. Leave it to your guests to get creative.
Put Out Some Punch
Nothing says summer pool party like fruit punch. Serve it up in a bronze bowl with a ladle, and it'll look even more refreshing.
Float Pool Balloons
Need a cheap and easy pool party decor idea? These balloons might just be cuter than flamingo floats.
See more at The House That Lars Built.
BUY NOW Assorted Color Party Ballons, $11, amazon.com
Dress Up Your Bar Cart
Keep the drinks flowing by setting up your bar cart outdoors. To make it extra summery, top it with palm leaves and tropical flowers.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
BUY NOW Craft Cutter, $7, amazon.com
Get Your Pets Involved
These DIY pool-float dog costumes will get all the likes. And you can reuse them for Halloween!
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
BUY NOW Pink Fabric, $6, amazon.com
Lay Out Some Games
Put out a deck of cards for any guests who'd rather stay on land to play. You could also try some less conventional card games. Why not try tarot cards and bring in a fortune teller to entertain guests?
Stock a Sunscreen Station
A sunscreen station is an ingenious way to entice a large group of guests to reapply, especially if you've got kids running around. Add some hydrating mists, and everyone will love you forever.
See more at Inspired By This.
BUY NOW Evian Facial Spray, $15, amazon.com
Add Plush Seating
The more colorful your party is, the better. Set up bright and patterned floor pillows and blankets on the deck for a poolside-picnic effect and extra lounging space.
See more at Sugar and Charm.
BUY NOW Indoor/Outdoor Pillow, $31, anthropologie.com
Set Up a Wine Tasting Station
Bring in a sommelier for a mini wine tasting lesson. It'll be a fun activity to keep people busy if they don't want to mingle or splash around in the pool.
Buy Cute Straws
Match your drink to your pool float!
See more at Sugar and Charm.
BUY NOW Flamingo Straws, $, amazon.com
Rent a Space
Don't have a pool in your own backyard? Go all out by renting a hotel or local pool for the day. Or research which hotels in your areas have pools and see if any of them host parties—then round up a group of friends to purchase tickets and attend together.
Make It Kid Friendly
An arts and crafts station gives kids something fun to do when they're not splashing. If there are going to be a lot of little kids running around, you may want to consider hiring a lifeguard for the day too.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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