Pool parties are the staple of the summer season. Their splishing and splashing are sure to keep things cool and fun. Before summer comes to a close, try holding a pool party of your own with these adorable party tips.
First things first: what games will your party have? Activities are what keep the party going, so they are what you need to organize first! Here are a few games for you to choose from, ranging from juvenile to timeless:
Mermaid Racing is named for those lovely mermaidens of the sea who populate our undersea fairytales. The rule of this game is that each player must hold their breath and swim across the pool, and the player who swims the longest underwater wins!
Noodle Jousting is just like medieval jousting, except it’s in water, the mounts are inflatable rafts, and the swords are… pool noodles. Two players start at the end of the pool and then begin “riding” towards each other. The first one to dismount the other wins!
Marco Polo, named for the famed Italian explorer, is a classic poolside game that your party guests can play with as many tricks and additions as you can think of. Adults and children alike can enjoy this game, so try it!
Once the games get started, people are going to start to get hungry. This is where snacks come into play. While the classic popsicles and pizza might satisfy some, you could be looking for something a little fancier. If this describes you, check out the list of snacks below.
Shrimp Cakes are a fancy finger food that matches your party’s aquatic theme. Ingredients for this yummy snack include 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 pound shelled and deveined shrimp, chopped, 3/4 cup panko, 2 large eggs, 3 tablespoons finely chopped scallions, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon wedges.
Sunny Orange Lemonade are a delicious drink to help your guests cool down outside of the pool. The ingredients for the drink are as follows: 4-1/4 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons), 3/4 cup orange juice (about 3 oranges), 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, 1 teaspoon grated orange peel, and ice cubes. The rest of the recipe can be found here.
Looking for something delish for dessert? Check out this Ocean Cake recipe from TasteofHome. Through the layers of frosting and fishy decor, this cake gives a taste of the ocean. All you need for this recipe is 1 package white cake mix (regular size), 2-2/3 cups of canned vanilla frosting, blue and green Fruit Roll-Ups, fish candies, black shoestring licorice, and a Candy stick.
Decorations are the final element of your party, they will announce to your guests the “theme”. The right use of decor will bring everything together, setting the mood perfectly. Whether you want a party with a little bit of ambience or adorable ornaments to baffle the little ones, the list below has everything.
Pool Noodle Luminaries are gorgeous additions to any pool-side party, especially at night. They give the perfect amount of magical to the party without any extra work from you. You can find further instructions here: POOL NOODLE LUMINARIES.
Jelly Fish Hangers look magical, especially when they flow in the wind. If you are feeling extra creative, try stringing some fairy lights through the lanterns so that they get everyone’s attention even when the sun sets. Instructions on how to build these little pieces of the sea can be found here.
This Coke Float Station combines snack and decorations. All you will need for this is a small inflatable pool, some ice, and as many drinks you can fit without it sinking. This way, your guests don’t have to get out of the pool to get a drink. A brief side note: if you are going to be placing Coke bottles in the inflatable pool, try getting those with the names of your guests!
