How to make a splash at your pool party
The cute inflatables. The tropical cocktails and mocktails. The underwater handstand competitions. Is there any better way to beat the heat than with a pool party?
Now that pool party season is upon us, it’s time for a deep dive into everything you need to make a splash this summer. From the food to the floaties, there’s so much that goes into pulling off a great pool party, so we put together this guide to answer all of your burning questions. Keep reading because, with these helpful tips, your party is certain to go swimmingly. (We apologize in advance for any cringey pool puns employed in this article.)
Pool party 101
1. When to send out pool party invitations
Aim to send out pool party invitations at least two to three weeks before your party to give guests plenty of time to RSVP, clear their schedules and find the perfect suit. The summer months can be especially busy for people, so providing guests with enough heads-up means there’s a higher chance they’ll be able to come. But don’t sweat it too much: There’s no need to give more than a month’s notice for more casual events like pool parties.
A fun way to set the tone for your party is with an on-theme pool party invitation. Decide what kind of pool party you want to have (i.e. luau, Barbie, mermaid, etc.), then choose an invitation accordingly. But remember, it’s also fair game to opt for a no-theme shindig—in many cases, the pool is the theme.
Once you’ve selected your favorite pool party invitation, you’ll be able to customize it, add your party’s info and send it out via email or text!
2. What to wear to a pool party
The number one rule of pool party attire is to wear something you feel confident and comfortable in! If you’re planning to go for a dip in the pool, you’ll definitely want to wear some sort of swimwear, but if you’re planning to just relax poolside, any hot-weather attire will do.
Given that you’ll be outside for a few hours, having a cover-up is a great way to minimize your risk of getting completely and thoroughly sunburnt. Same goes for hats and sunglasses: Your accessories are your friends and can help protect your skin from harmful rays!
3. What to bring to a pool party
Pool party planning is a breeze when you use Evite. Teamwork makes the dream work: If you’re the host, set up a What to Bring list for your event so guests can choose items to contribute to the party. You can also create a signup sheet to delegate tasks and roles (like DJ, photographer or clean-up duty!) or figure out who’s bringing what items (like snacks, drinks and sunscreen!).
If you’re attending a pool party, these are the items you’ll want to bring:
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Flip flops
- Cover-up
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Snacks
How to throw a pool party
We've covered the pool party basics. Now you need the products to actually make it happen! We’ve curated this assortment of sizzling supplies to get you started. With everything from tiki torches to colorful coolers to our favorite sunscreens (hey, it’s important!), consider this your pool party shopping guide.
1. The decor
Whether or not you actually live somewhere tropical, with the right decorations, you can easily transform your pool area into a tropical oasis. Add plenty of colorful inflatable floats, string lights, tiki torches and tropical plants to set the mood, and be sure to provide plenty of comfortable seating for guests to chillax between dips in the pool.
2. The activities
Pool parties are all about having some serious fun in the sun. Other than swimming, make sure to offer various activities to keep everyone entertained throughout the party. Get plenty of floaties for the pool, set up a volleyball net, grab lawn games like cornhole, get a game of beer pong going (if it’s a 21+ party!), buy some frisbees and, just like that, you’ve set up the most epic party ever.
3. The music
If there’s one thing that has the power to make or break your pool party, it is your playlist. Keep the energy going by curating a playlist of all your favorite songs or finding a pre-made playlist on Spotify. Regardless, just make sure you have speakers on hand! And if you’re really down for a fun time, karaoke is always a crowd-pleaser. Helpful hint: Set up any electronics away from the pool to avoid a serious party foul.
4. The food
Keep people fed (and hydrated!) by offering a wide variety of yummy snacks and refreshing beverages. You’re definitely gonna want to grab a couple of coolers from Amazon and fill them up with ice to ensure your drinks stay delightfully ice-cold. Remember: Water is an absolute MUST, especially if you’re serving alcohol!
5. The sunscreen
Okay, okay, not to be the sun-safety police here, but there is no buzzkill quite like a bad sunburn. Seriously. Make sure to stock up on the UV protection before your party. That means plenty of sunscreen and extra hats.
And just like that, you’re ready to throw the ultimate summer pool party! For easy shopping, browse all of these products in our full pool party supplies Amazon shop.
All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.
