How to Host an Amazing Adults-Only Pool Party to Cap Off Your Summer

Who says a pool party is just for kids? On a hot summer day, grown-ups enjoy a cool dip in the water, too!

However, while children are happy simply splashing, jumping and playing, adults often enjoy a broader pool party experience.

Sure, the basics remain the same – lounge chairs, pool floats, snacks, drinks, games – but the mature crowd prefers some variety and sophistication. 

As with any party, a pool party reflects the lifestyle and interests of you and your guests. These will likely determine when your party starts, how long it lasts, the activities you provide and the type of food you serve.

Also, consider the size of your pool and how many people it and your entire outdoor space can accommodate.

You don’t need a special reason to have a pool party. A desire to get together with family or friends is a good enough excuse. However, once decided, you might wonder how to proceed.

Establishing a theme can actually make planning easier and the party experience more fun.

A pool party theme supplies a starting point for the food you serve, the entertainment, decorations, games and even the pool floats. And if you haven’t attended a themed party since childhood, you might be surprised at the number of pool party themes for adults. From an all-white, glow-in-the-dark or Great Gatsby theme for sunset parties to classic party themes like tropical, beach, fiesta and sports, a theme provides a cohesive backdrop for your party plans.

You can even get your guests into the act and ask them to wear theme-appropriate attire!

In general, a pool party calls for lots of snacks and drinks. However, whereas the nibbles at a kids’ pool party might consist of chips, pretzels and juice boxes, adults appreciate more refined refreshments.

A theme helps guide your food and beverage selections and the internet is full of playful and creative ideas for themed party menus.

In general, serve food that’s easy to eat. Fruit threaded onto a skewer, along with charcuterie and finger foods that aren’t greasy, crumbly or sticky are good choices for a backyard pool party.

Use plastic or paper plates and cups around the pool. Glass bottles and drinkware can easily slip out of wet hands. This precaution protects guests – who are likely barefoot, in sandals or flip-flops – from stepping on broken glass.

If you’ll be serving alcoholic beverages, decide how to handle the bar area. Will guests pour their own drinks or serve themselves from a beverage cooler? Will someone be in charge of mixing cocktails? To really make a splash, consider offering a signature cocktail.

Be sure to provide non-alcoholic beverages, too. Dehydration is a concern on a hot day – and alcohol can speed up the process. Offering plenty of water, mineral drinks and snacks can help offset the effects of alcohol consumption.

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While the pool is the main attraction, remember that some guests might choose not to swim. Provide multiple areas for alternate activities: Seating areas for conversation, lounge chairs for sunning, cocktail tables for drinking and snacking, plus a dedicated space for poolside games.

Balance in-water games like water basketball or volleyball with lawn games such as cornhole or ladder toss.

Set the tone of your party with music. Bluetooth speakers are an economical option if your outdoor entertainment area isn’t wired for sound. Keep the tunes theme-related, play your favorite genre or stream a playlist.

In the past few years, movie zones have become a popular backyard upgrade. Whether it’s a full-size movie screen or an outdoor TV, now you can enjoy your favorite movies on your patio or even while lazing in the pool.

Adults recognize when you’ve gone all-out to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Pay attention to the details that will make your pool and the surrounding area attractive, functional and irresistible to guests.

From the party napkins to the pool floats, take the time to create an inviting space thoughtfully designed to meet every need. Whether or not you develop a theme, certain amenities are non-negotiable at pool parties for adults.

• Seating: Whether it’s a plush outdoor sofa, cushioned armchair, cozy hammock chair, lounge chair, rocker or Adirondack chair, most people have a favorite seating style. Providing a variety of seating choices ensures everyone is comfortable.

• Shade: Offer a place for guests to get out of the sun. Even if your backyard includes a covered porch or patio, you can create additional shaded areas with a patio umbrella, sail shade, canopy tent or pergola.

• Pool Floats: Provide a variety of float types in sizes that can support an adult’s larger body mass, such as pool rafts, inflatable loungers and large pool rings. Novelty floats like an inflatable floating tiki bar or giant swan pool float add to the fun and are selfie-worthy, too!

• Lighting: Part of the fun of being a grown-up is staying out after dark. Make every minute of your party count with adequate lighting in and around your swimming pool. We’re not talking flood lamps here. Soft, layered lighting is much more effective at creating a mood while providing enough illumination for all your nighttime backyard activities.

Layered outdoor lighting can include:

• • Overhead patio lights

  • Tabletop lanterns and candles

  • Path lights

  • Lighted stairways

  • Garden torches

• Poolside Styling: A few special touches can turn your pool party into an event!

• Greet guests with a balloon arch to add color or support a party theme. It can double as a selfie area. Or, set aside a corner, side yard or entryway that’s decorated to entice guests to document their visit.

• Your pool floats can support a theme, too. Arrange them attractively for guests to see as they enter the pool area.

• If you don’t have it – rent it! Everything from extra seating to tents to live palm trees can be rented to make your party area both comfortable and spectacular.

• Little Extras: For the best possible party experience, incorporate some resort-inspired special touches. Thoughtful amenities similar to those you’ll find at a high-end hotel can easily be duplicated at home, including:

• Spare towels

• Comfortable, private changing area

• Plastic bags for wet bathing suits

• Sunscreen, aloe and bug spray

• Floating drink holders 

Most party planners don’t spare much thought to safety, but a swimming pool adds a nuance that’s worth some consideration.

Water Testing: For safe swimming, test your pool water and make any necessary chemical adjustments before your swim party.

Pool Rules: Pool safety rules are not just for kids! Some “big kids” can get carried away in the pool, especially during a competitive water game. Post your pool rules and point them out to guests.

Safety Gear: Keep safety equipment like safety rings and reaching poles handy.

Alcohol Use: If you’ll be serving beer, wine or cocktails at your pool party, remember that alcohol and swimming can be a dangerous combination. In fact, pool rules are even more essential for adults who have been drinking.

Pool Watcher: Appoint at least one sober pool watcher or hire a licensed lifeguard for the day.

Entertainment Zones: Placing tables and seating away from the water makes it easier to follow conversations and keeps guests safe from unexpected splashes. Smart furniture arrangement also helps prevent guests from accidentally falling in.

Just because you’re all grown up doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a party by the swimming pool.

By keeping in mind your guests’ interests, the time of day and any theme you have chosen, you’ll have the basic structure of your pool party tackled in a jiffy.

Use those factors to refine the food you serve and the entertainment offered. Then, create a welcoming atmosphere with relaxed seating, shaded areas, ample (but not overdone) lighting, poolside styling and pampering extras that reflect attention to their every comfort.

Finally, ensure your pool party is as safe as it is successful by balancing your water chemistry, using poolside-appropriate servingware and taking prudent water precautions.

Christmas Central can help fill your party supply list with a wide selection of pool floats, water games, outdoor lighting and patio furniture.   

There are several ways to pick a pool party theme. You can be guided by your own likes and interests, find inspiration in a current trend or put your own spin to a tried and true motif, for instance.

Classic pool party themes include luau, flamingo tropical parties, retro parties (Roaring ’20s, Psychedelic ’60s, Disco ’70s, Neon ’80s) or Beach Bash.

Seeking a bit more sophistication? Consider a White Party, Garden Party, Wine & Charcuterie evening or Red Carpet Night.

If you’re serving alcohol, focus the theme around your favorite drink. Margaritas and mojitos beg a Mexican theme, while an espresso martini might suggest something a bit more cosmopolitan, like a black and white party.

Whatever you choose, support your theme with food and decorations. Pool parties should be fun, so let your imagination run free! Look around, do some internet searching and see what sparks your creativity.