Dive into summer by planning the perfect pool party

How to plan a pool party

Putting in the legwork of planning weeks ahead will make sure that your pool party will go smoothly the day it happens. Start by considering the following:

Your Outlook can change everything

Spend less time organizing your life and more time enjoying it with Outlook

Learn more

Pick a theme

Will you be serving pirate-inspired drinks in a nautical theme, playing dance music for a club theme, or firing up the grill for when the Fourth of July comes? Settling on a fun theme can not only determine the decorations, tableware, and food and drink menu, but it can also affect which playlist to choose and which guests you might want to invite.

Decide on a guest list

Your theme can also help determine who to invite to your pool party. For example, you can suggest that your guests bring their children for a playdate, knowing that this will require extra supervision and swim gear. Or you might want to invite recent grads and their families for a celebration to the end of the school year.

Whether you’re inviting close friends, or you’re introducing new friends and family to each other, don’t forget to consider the size and space of the pool area so that you won’t face the problem of overcrowding.

Set a date

Pick a date far enough in the future that your guests can potentially agree on. Weekends are the ideal time for a pool party! Upcoming holidays may play a role in your party’s theme, but there’s also a chance that many of your guests might not make it. Be sure to also pick a rain date in case the weather suddenly turns sour.

Choose a suitable location

If you have a pool in your backyard, this might be the easiest part. Be sure that your pool is properly cleaned and treated in the days before your set date. If you’re planning to host a pool party at a friend’s or family’s residence, not only do you have someone to help plan your party, but you can also merge friend groups and meet new people. Offer to help set up before the party and clean up after.

A local swimming pool in your town can also be a good site to host a party. Double-check to see if you need to make reservations in advance and be sure to adhere to all rules (such as no glass bottles, no loud music, etc.).

Send festive invitations

As you come closer to the date of the pool party (such as one or two weeks away), send out invitations as a reminder. Evites are the most convenient and direct way to do just that. Use templates to create fun, eye-catching designs with minimal effort.

What to do just before the pool party

A day or two before the pool party, make sure that you have your supplies on hand:

Buy decorations and tableware

Decorate the pool area with colorful luau-themed décor like streamers, balloons, and inflatables such as palm trees, flamingos, and the classic beach ball. Candles and lantern lights can keep the party going even after the sun sets.

Assemble your food and drink ingredients

From salty snacks to cupcakes and marinated chicken to hot dogs, make sure you have enough food for your guests, so you won’t need to make a run to the store halfway through your own pool party. A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is key to helping ensure that everyone stays hydrated as it gets hotter in the afternoon. If you’re making mixed drinks, double-check your grocery list!

Create your playlist

Tunes are vital to a successful party, and creating a playlist can be fun in itself. Place enough songs to last the hours of your party so you won’t get too many repeats—and make room for requests! If you’re having trouble finding songs, you can ask generative AI for playlist inspiration that can fit your theme.

Things to provide during your pool party

When the guests come over, that’s when the pool party begins. As they’re relaxing, make sure there are plenty of the following on hand:

• Sunscreen
• Fresh towels
• Water
• Swim toys
• Safety gear (swim vests, arm floaties)
• Lounge chairs
• Mosquito repellant
• Cash for tips (i.e. food deliveries)

By planning with as much time as possible, sending out invitations, and having plenty of food and supplies on hand, your pool party will go off without a hitch. Check out more organizational tips, including what you need to plan a birthday party.