33 Epic Pool Party Ideas for the Coolest Summer Bash in 2024
Attending a pool party is often the highlight of many people’s summer vacations, presenting the perfect opportunity to soak up some sun rays, enjoy refreshing snacks and drinks, and catch up with friends and loved ones.
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a pool party this summer, great! All you’ll need is a towel and a smile. However, planning a pool party can feel like a lot of work, especially if you’ve never hosted one before.
If you’re new to this festive occasion, you might wonder, just what is a pool party? What do you need to throw one, and how do you make it special?
Whether you’re hosting the party in your backyard or at a local public pool, try some of these fun ideas to make your party a splashing success.
Jump to Section
- Fun Pool Party Ideas for Adults
- Pool Party Games
- Pool Party Invitations
- Pool Party Decorations
- Best Pool Party Ideas for Kids
Fun Pool Party Ideas for Adults
1. Summer Spa Night
For adult friends who enjoy things a little more low-key, is a pool party a good idea? A summer spa night can be one of the best pool party ideas for adults, especially if you also have a sauna or hot tub.
Invite friends over to enjoy refreshing drinks, work on their summer tan, or relax with a face mask for a perfect girls’ or guys’ night in.
2. Neon Pool Party
If someone asks, “How many hours should a pool party be?”, and you answer, “All night long!”, a neon nightclub could be your perfect theme pool party for adults.
Stock up on glow necklaces and bracelets, toss a bunch of glow sticks in the pool, and blast your best dance music. For an extra cool touch, try making a few cocktail recipes that glow under blacklight.
3. Cocktail Contest
When it comes to party ideas for adults, fun drinks are a must-have. Provide some basic mixers and encourage everyone to bring a fun cocktail or mocktail recipe that they can share with the group. After trying everyone’s tasty recipes, vote on who had the most creative concoction.
4. Midsummer Murder Mystery
A classic “whodunit” game is nothing new, but it can be one of the best party ideas for adults to inject a little excitement into your average summertime gathering.
Check out some pre-made murder mystery game packs or learn how to write your own for an unforgettable night of accusations and fun poolside libations.
5. Tropical Staycation
Can’t go on your dream vacation this year? Invite guests to take the day off and soak up the sun with luau party ideas. Stage your own beachy getaway in your backyard by placing palm trees around the pool, cutting up some fresh fruits and serving fun tropical tiki drinks — just don’t forget the mini umbrellas!
6. All White Party
An all-white dress-up party is one of the most timeless summer party themes. Invite all your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers to don their bright whites and join this classy pool party for adults!
Plus, white makes everyone look tan in photos and is a great way to celebrate a pool party on Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend.
7. Pirates vs. Mermaids
Coming up with engaging summer theme party ideas for adults can be tricky, but with a fun theme like pirates vs. mermaids, everyone gets to participate!
Have each guest dress up as either a pirate or a mermaid and plan lots of party games to determine which team really rules the seven seas.
Pool Party Games
8. Sharks and Minnows
This game can be played in or out of the pool, but keeping things in the water adds an extra challenge. One person will be the “shark” in the middle of the pool, and everyone else must gather as “minnows” at one side.
When the shark says go, minnows must try to swim to the opposite side without getting tagged, or else they become seaweed.
9. Limbo Contest
A limbo contest is one of the classic pool party games for adults, but guests of all ages will enjoy dancing to the music and getting low.
Grab a spare broom handle or decorate your own limbo stick, then nominate two guests to hold the stick level to the ground, dropping it lower and lower every time the group successfully passes through. The last person to stay in until the end is crowned the limbo champion!
10. Categories
This pool party game is similar to sharks and minnows but with a little more thinking involved. One player will stand outside the pool and choose a category, such as “fruits,” and then all players will think of an item in that category.
If the “it” player yells, “Banana,” and another player was also thinking of bananas, the player must race to the other side of the pool before “it” can jump in and tag them.
11. Pool Sports
Moving your favorite sport into the pool is an easy way to entertain guests. Look for inflatable pool-friendly setups like pool volleyball, basketball or water polo.
To make things even more fun, host an Olympics tournament of pool party games, with gold, silver, and bronze medals (or fun sunglasses) for the winners.
12. Crocodile Cowboys
You’ll need two inflatable crocodile pool floats and several hula hoops. Have the group split into two teams and form two lines near the pool, then the players at the front of the line must toss a hula hoop to “lasso” their crocodile, jump into the pool, and ride it to the other side and back, passing the relay on to the next person.
Tip: Have one person in the pool to toss back the hoops that miss.
13. Floaty Races
For a game that’s sure to have your guests roaring with laughter, have two or more people choose their favorite pool float or noodle and race from one end of the pool to the other.
The rules? You must stay on the float at all times, and sabotaging other players is highly encouraged.
14. Water War
Gather up your water balloons and water guns; it’s time to burn some energy by waging war on your pool party guests. Split into teams, set some ground rules, then let ‘er rip to see who gets soaked the fastest.
To help with cleanup, give a “piece offering” prize to the person who collects the most water balloon pieces from the lawn.
Pool Party Invitations
15. Sun’s Out Buns Out
What is a pool party without a few hot juicy burgers on the grill? Send out invitations that invite everyone over to enjoy some of the best poolside party foods like burgers, hot dogs, chips and ice cream.
16. Christmas in July
Instead of sending out your typical party invitations, grab a bundle of Christmas cards (they’re on sale now, anyway)!
People might assume you’ve sent the wrong holiday cards, but really it’s a clever invitation to your pool party. Work the Santa’s vacation theme into the rest of your pool party ideas by giving old holiday decor a beachy makeover.
17. “Let’s Go Party” With Malibu Barbie
If you’re feeling clueless about how to plan a birthday party this summer, take some notes from Mattel’s Malibu Barbie. The pool party invitations should be pink, of course, with emphasis on showing up as the most confident, fabulous version of yourself.
You can even find Malibu Barbie pool floats from FUNBOY to fit the theme of the party! This Barbie is looking forward to her sunniest year yet.
18. Hit the Pool Before Back-to-School
Host a “back to school” party to end the summer on a high note. For cute pool party invitations, send out composition books (or lookalikes) with the party info written inside.
This can also be a great time to swap hand-me-downs or school supplies before the academic year begins.
19. Beach Ball Surprise
For fun pool party invitations that double as summer gifts or party favors, order custom-printed beach balls or use permanent markers to write the party info on the side. Guests will have to blow up their beach ball to see when and where they can join the best pool party of the year.
Pool Party Decorations
20. Shade Umbrellas
As much as we all love to soak up the sun, the National Institute of Health warns that too much sun exposure can be bad for your skin and eyes, even raising your risk of skin cancer.
Make sure your guests have plenty of places to lounge away from the hot sun by setting up shade umbrellas, and have fun decorating the umbrellas to fit your party theme.
21. String Lights
Keep the party going well into the night by hanging up string lights around the pool. Bright white lights give off a classic, cozy vibe while multicolored lights can make your pool party feel even more festive.
22. Balloons
Balloons are a go-to for party decorations, but the best way to use them is to style them in fun arrangements. Opt for a bright and bold summery color scheme and build balloon towers, archways, or a photo wall near your pool.
23. Bonfire
A bonfire is at the top of many summer bucket list ideas, so make your party extra “lit” by lighting a cozy fire pit near the pool. Bonus points if you delight guests by providing hot dogs or s’more supplies.
24. Colorful Tablecloths
Summer is the time to let loose and have fun, so grab your most colorful tablecloths to display under the poolside potluck. For easy cleanup after the pool party, you can also grab some disposable tablecloths in fun summer prints.
25. Towel Station
Some guests might be wise and bring their own towels, but it never hurts to provide a bundle of extra towels for guests who need them.
Roll up your clean pool towels and display them in a basket or fun shelving unit, alongside some sunscreen and bottled water.
26. Photo Wall
Need birthday party ideas for teens or adults who love to stay active on their socials? A photo wall is a brilliant way to make memories and provide an easily Instagram-able photo op. Keep a bin of quirky props and accessories nearby!
Best Pool Party Ideas for Kids
27. Backyard Carnival
For an exciting twist on a kids’ party, go for a carnival theme with snacks like cotton candy, corn dogs and lemonade. Play carnival-style games with small prizes or even set up a dunk tank! Kids won’t be able to stop laughing as they watch their friends or parents get dunked into the pool.
28. Splash Park
Pool party ideas for kids don’t always have to center around the pool. Consider setting up a splash park in your yard with a slip-n-slide, kiddie pools and a blow-up water slide.
Kids of all ages will love playing in the water, and this can also be a safer alternative to swimming for younger children.
29. Dive-In Movie Night
A movie night is easily one of the best party ideas for kids to keep them entertained for hours. Hang a sheet in the backyard and set up a projector to play a fun family movie under the stars. Some great summertime flicks include The Sandlot, Finding Nemo or Moana.
30. Silly Sunglasses
Don your silliest hats and novelty sunglasses for a funny pool party idea for kids. You can even stage a poolside fashion show with a runway straight into the water.
Kids will get a crack out of playing dress up by the pool, and parents will get to cherish these goofy photos for years to come.
31. Frozen Fun
Beat the stifling summer heat by hosting a frosty pool party, complete with a snow cone station, popsicles and ice cream snacks.
Freeze an ice cube tray with a drop of paint or food coloring mixed into each cube, then have the kids create their own abstract ice cube paintings too.
32. Make-Your-Own Sailboats
If you’re looking for fun birthday party activities for kids to do by the pool, grab some cork pieces, popsicle sticks and other craft supplies to guide kids through making their own sailboats, like this YouTube tutorial. Once everyone is done building and decorating their boats, send them on their first voyage across the pool.
33. Hang a Piñata
Fill a piñata with candies, small toys, accessories or even back-to-school supplies and have kids take turns swinging at it while blindfolded.
This is a great way to wrap up your kids’ party, giving them some time to dry off outside the pool before you send them home with a bag full of goodies.
From homemade tropical mocktails on a soothing summer spa night to a wacky carnival-themed party with pool game Olympics, there’s no wrong way to host a pool party, but there are countless ways to make it memorable.
No matter how you plan your next pool party, we hope these fun pool party ideas have encouraged you to get outside and celebrate with loved ones.
For even more fun party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
