Pool Parties

Pool parties offer a fun way to get people together, bask in the sun, take a swim, and enjoy some outdoor activities. Whether it's a birthday party, a luau or any other themed variation, make the pool a party's central location. Everyone will enjoy the festivities around it.

Different Types of Pool Parties

When planning pool parties, let your imagination run wild. Activities aren't limited to swimming alone.

Kids' Birthday Parties

For a child's birthday party, create a whole theme surrounding the event. A fish theme is fun and easy. Younger kids enjoy playing games like Marco Polo, Minnows or Sharks. They can also have a cannonball contest. For older boys, organize a water gun battle. Pre-teen girls may enjoy a spa-themed party, where they give each other manicures and pedicures, or even decorate a basic pair of flip flops. Add some music to create the perfect atmosphere.

Tips:

Keep the food menu simple, and serve sandwiches, fruit, crackers and drinks in non-breakable containers for the guests to enjoy.
For pool party invitations, design them with different types of fish or beach ball cut-outs. Get the kids involved, and have them help you color and decorate the invitations.

Beach-Themed Parties

You don't need the ocean to enjoy a beach pool party. Bring the beach to your backyard pool by serving a tasty barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob - just like the boardwalk! Put some toy sailboats in the pool for an added touch. Use seashells and fishnets to decorate your tables. A children's sandbox is the perfect place to build a sandcastle or other sandy creations, such as crabs, lobsters, shells and sea turtles. To get your guests in beach mode, have them come to your party dressed in swimsuits and flip-flops.

Tips:

Play beach themed music from the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet or Bob Marley.
Purchase extra sunscreen for your guests.
Provide extra shade if your yard needs it by adding large beach umbrellas to various locations.
Don't forget the ice for your cold drinks!

Movie Night Pool Parties

Who says you have to be indoors to enjoy a good movie? If you have a big-screen TV, bring it outside or rent one from your local retailer. Choose a couple of movies that everyone will enjoy. For an added movie feel, create your own concession stand and serve popcorn, soda, nacho chips with cheese, and candy.

Hawaiian Luau Parties

Aloha! Enjoy Hawaii from your own backyard by throwing a luau. Have your partygoers dress in their most colorful Hawaiian style shirts or grass skirts. Add an island feel to your pool party by decorating with Hawaiian-themed accessories like tiki torches, bamboo accents and tropical flowers. When your guests arrive, greet them with a flower lei. If real flowered leis are not available, plastic ones are a good substitute.

For your Hawaiian feast, serve pineapple chicken or ham. Complement the meal with fruit, rice and fresh vegetables. If you cannot cook the food yourself, look for a Hawaiian-styled restaurant that could cater the food for you.

Safety First

To make sure your party stays festive and that all your guests are safe, make sure that:

At least one adult monitors children in the pool at all times. The more adult lifeguards you have, though, the better. Never leave children unattended around the pool.
Kids avoid running on a slippery pool deck. This is easier said than done because children love to move at top speed. You may have to create "no run" zones and make a game out of who can walk the zone without breaking into a trot.
Everyone knows to only dive from a diving board and/or only into the deep end of the pool.
Hot food stays hot and cold food stays cold. Once everyone is finished eating, it's best to wrap food up and put it away -- bacteria can quickly grow on food that's left out.
Any inebriated guests stay out of the water. Alcohol and swimming don't mix, so if cocktails are part of the festivities, all designated drivers or non-imbibing partygoers may want to monitor the scene.
You, or someone at the party, knows CPR.

Pool Party Fun

Partying by the pool is a summer pastime that many people have enjoyed for generations. By keeping a few precautions in mind, grownups and kids alike can enjoy a fantastic event. Whether it's a birthday celebration, graduation party, girls' day out or adults-only bash, throwing a pool party is a fun way to bring people together.

By Sheila Robinson