40 Pool Party Planning Ideas

Keep it Cool - Frozen treats such as homemade popsicles and ice cream sandwiches never disappoint. Just make sure to have plenty of ice on hand to keep treats cool or you could have a sticky mess! To be extra impressive, ask the ice cream truck to swing by or hire an ice cream cart for the occasion.
Try Something Fishy - When you're aiming to complement your water theme, try goldfish crackers, gummy fish and worms. Create a fun take on "fish and chips" by setting out Goldfish crackers and tortilla chips. Place snacks in nautical-inspired containers.
Make it Float - Send cold drinks or water bottles nestled inside a sea animal floaty across the pool for a sure-fire hit with thirsty guests. Really want to score points? Search online for inflatable drink holders for the pool — you'll find some real winners, from pink flamingos to palm trees.
Put It in a Cone - And not just ice cream. Try filling ice cream cones with colorful candies, cake, sweet popcorn variations or trail mix.
Add a Tiny Umbrella - From colorful cups of blue Jello topped with brown sugar (for sand) to cupcakes and tropical cocktails/mocktails, there's just something about that little umbrella that makes it more fun.
Make Some Melon Madness - Deliciously chilled cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew melon balls on a skewer are hard to beat. Beautifully carved melon baskets and other carved designs (search for ideas online) create a fantastic presentation.
Serve from a Beach Pail - All sorts of tasty items such as candy, cookies, crackers, chips and dip taste better served from a fun container. You can find these cheap at dollar stores. (No, you probably shouldn't use your kid's bucket from last year's beach trip.)
Make Wine Ice Cubes -Pour your favorite white or sparkling wine into ice cube trays and freeze for a grownup treat. Slip them into a fruity drink for an instant chiller and pop of flavor.
Be Kitschy - Remember, it's OK to unleash your best puns on the menu. Some of our favorites: a small sign labeled "take a dip" inside your salsa, pigs in a blanket that you call "sea snails" or cheese puffs labeled as "beach balls."
Decorate Your Cake - If your pool party happens to be a birthday celebration, don't forget to match your cake to your theme. Simple ideas include decorating your cake as a life preserver or beach ball. Mermaids and sea creatures are welcome for the more experienced cake designer.

Have a Squirt Gun Race - Players spray their guns to race inflatable ocean animals in the main pool or small plastic ducks in the baby pool.
Turn on the Sprinkler - Play a game of musical freeze tag if you've got a lawn to work with. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in their spots as you turn the sprinkler on to get them soaked!
Noodle Jousting - Using two pool noodles and two pool rafts, players battle until someone falls off their raft. Depending on age and skill levels, players can kneel or sit on their rafts.
Sponge Relays - Take the competition outside the pool by splitting the partygoers into two teams, each with empty buckets at a set distance. Place a large sponge and a bucket of water next to each team. One person at a time, each team must try to fill the empty bucket with water using only the sponge. The first team with a full bucket wins!
Synchronized Swimming Contests - You might not be an Olympian, but you can guarantee laughs by pairing up and brainstorming a "synchronized" performance to perform in the pool. Keep those cameras rolling.
Set Up Face Painting Stations - Use colored zinc oxide sunscreen to give little faces a fun look. Parents always appreciate activities that serve a dual purpose.
Diving for Treasure - Divide players into two teams and throw pairs of items into the pool such as plastic rings, coins and diving sticks. The first team to collect one of each item wins.
Pool Noodle Crafting - From floating flowers and boats to obstacle courses and swords, it's amazing what kids can make when given the chance to get creative with inexpensive pool noodles. Make sure you've got a table for this one, and make sure to supervise younger children (or pre-cut shapes).
Beach Ball Relay Races - Pretend you're a seal! Teams must swim across the pool pushing an inflatable beach ball with only their noses.
Play Octopus - This is similar to classic tag. Select someone to be "it" and station them in the middle of the pool. When they tag someone, they must join hands with that person, forming a multi-armed creature that will try to tag more people. The last person swimming wins!

Hydration Station - Hand out personalized plastic water bottles — these will serve dual purposes. They'll keep partygoers hydrated during the main event and give them something to remember your soirée.
Digging for Treasure - Buy plastic beach shovels from the dollar store and place a fun snack like gummy worms or popcorn inside. Wrap with clear cellophane and attach a note that says, "We dig you."
Ocean Slime - Homemade slime is having a major moment, so find a recipe to mix up with your kids (make sure the instructions allow your final product to be blue.) Stick the slime in a clear plastic favor bag and add some plastic fish for a cool effect.
Fun in the Sun - Make your pool party feel like a day at the beach by handing out plastic buckets, sunglasses, Goldfish crackers and some bubbles. Attach a thank you note that says, "You make life a beach."
Have a Ball - Hand out mini beach balls (inflated or uninflated) with a note that says, "Thanks for splashing with us."
The Wet Side - Do you have a Star Wars fan who happens to also want a pool party for her birthday? Cut some pool noodles in half and tape the bottom in some silver duct tape. Use a black marker and red stickers to make it look like the handle of a light saber.
Summer Sipping - Punch a hole in the lid of a mason jar, insert a colorful straw and fill with some goldfish for a favor that's both edible and reusable. Check your pool rules for glass — if you have restrictions, make sure to pass these out at the very end.
Water Fight - Kids love squirt guns! Make this classic fit the theme for a Despicable Me lover by labeling them as freeze-ray guns.
Pineapple Bags - If you've got a slightly older crowd, pick out some yellow favor bags, and cut out spiky green construction paper shapes that look like the top of a pineapple. Fill with a lei and plastic sunglasses to get guests in a festive mood.
Fin Time - Celebrate the animal lover by passing out plastic shark toys with a note that says, "Thanks for making my party fin-tastic."