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22 Epic Kid’s Pool Party Ideas

Pool Party Ideas

Updated on: Oct 05, 2024

Whenever the temperature outside gets hotter, there is always something that helps everybody cope with the heat: a wonderful pool to swim in. But sometimes swimming by yourself can be boring and lonely. If your kid’s birthday falls in the summertime, now is the time to act. The pool area can be more fun if more people are present. Here are some pool party ideas to use for your spectacular swimming pool parties.

Pool Party Activities

1. DIY Beach Ball Bowling

What fun would a pool party be without outdoor activities for kids to engage in? You could create a fun little bowling ball set using pool noodles as barriers, plastic bowling pins, and any kind of beach ball.

2. Balloons in Pool

Make your pool activities extra vivid and fun by tossing inflatables in with the general mish-mash! It's a fun and reasonable thought that will get kids scrambling for more water play, can even work both balloons in a little plastic pool, or have an epic swimming pool. Participants of the Dukes and Duchesses' gathering surely had a ton of fun with pool balloons.

3. Jellyfish Lanterns

Surprise all of your guests with a unique under-the-sea vibe with these eccentric ocean animals from Me and My Insanity's Mermaid pool Party. All you require are some vivid paper lights and some crepe party decorations and strip to coordinate. Make the look with these straightforward advances with fun things to do in the backyard pool party.

4. Beachy Photo Booth Backdrop

Having a photo booth is a perfect way to keep memories of your wonderful pool party photos and could be used for an indoor pool party. Simply use a blue bed sheet and possibly throw some pool noodles in there for a good background in your photo booth. What a great addition to a girl's pool party.

5. Glow Stick Pool Party Decorations

If you’re hosting a night pool party that will extend into the evening hours, why not include this unexpected nighttime surprise as part of your décor plans? Simply add glow sticks to the bottom of the pool to add a cool party vibe, what a great night pool party idea. Kids will love the atmosphere created. Plus, how fun to dive after the glow sticks. What a wonderful way to expand your pool party decorating ideas.

6. Sun Protection Station

If there is one thing that can ruin the fun of a pool party, it is a sunburn, especially at your girls' pool party! You can help keep party guests sunburn-free by setting up a sun protection station at your next outdoor pool party. Help guests lather on the sunscreen, and provide a simple protection station that includes a bucket or basket of sunscreen and lotion! Guests will appreciate the protection and this is a great girl pool party idea.

Pool Party Craft Ideas

7. Beach Bucket Party Favor

Although leaving the party is one of the hardest parts, a goodie bag makes the departure less painful. You could purchase 5-inch beach pail sand buckets with this goodie bag to act as the bags themselves. Then, simply put candy into each bucket along with a nice little shovel to go with it.

8. DIY Crazy Straws

If you want to have kids drink that fresh lemonade in style at the best pool party, why not give them crazy loop straws? They can enjoy the lemonade maneuver in a fun path before they drink it.

9. Temporary Tattoos

Nothing beats a sick temporary tattoo. Kids with temporary tattoos were the coolest on the block. Why not bring the swagger to the pool party? You could either place them in the goodie bags or have a little area for kids to get creative with these tattoos making a cool pool party.

10. Pool Noodle Boats

Add excitement to the pool with this little and simple creation. You just need pool noodles, straws, and foam sheets. Cut the noodles into 1-3 inch parts to make the base of the boat. Then, stick a straw into the noodle to make the pole of the flag. Last, cut triangular pieces of the foam sheet and stick them through the straw to create a sailboat. It is a good decoration for the pool and easy to make adding to the pool party favor ideas.

11. Party Straws + Flags

Paper straws will make you look better as a host. Simply place a paper flag on top that suits the theme of the party. This is a clever way to make sure people do not mix their drinks. More party supplies can be found here.

12. DIY Beach Ball Garland

A way to stick to the theme of your summertime pool parties is by putting a wonderful beach ball garland across your patio or yard. This just gives it a more vibrant feeling to the whole atmosphere with kid pool party games. Open your fun in the summer by having some summer pool parties with beach ball garland.

13. Shark Themed Party Pools

This summer, invite sharks to your teen pool party. A shark-themed pool party is a fun twist on an ordinary pool party. Instead of featuring a ferocious shark, this party features a grinning shark throughout the party decorations. There are plenty of “JAWsome” details to sink your teeth into, including a dessert table you might just figuratively die over. Gummy sharks, shark fin topped cupcakes, shark decorated cookies, and a myriad of other yummy treats will keep party guests’ tummies full and hearts happy. Make it fun, adding to your kid's pool party ideas.

Be sure to download our teen party checklist to stay organized and make the most out of planning your event as well as other ideas for games/activities.

Spice Up Your Invitations for Pool Parties

14. DIY Pool Float Invitation

A way to get your kid’s friends excited for the big party is a creative invitation. Customize a small pool float of your choice and write a nice invitation statement with a permanent marker on the float. It’s best to mail the invitation when it is deflated so it does not pop during the transportation process.

15. Splish Splash Printable Invitation

If time is really going against you, this is a quick and effective way to formulate a fun kid pool party invitation. Find a beautiful picture of the summertime whether it is the beach or a swimming pool birthday party. Then, place the image into a document and type in the details of the party below the picture. Pop the invitation in the mail and let the excitement begin.

16. Beachball Pool Birthday Party Invitations

You’re sure to capture pool party invitees’ attention with these genius beach ball pool party invitations. Get guests excited for your pool party bash by including all of the party details, as well as a gift idea printed on a beach ball. Delivering the balls full inflated is a fun idea, or send the beach balls with instructions for guests to blow up the ball to reveal the party plan. A great addition to your birthday pool party ideas.

17. Jumbo Floats

A pool party without afloat? There are a variety of jumbo floats to choose from to create a fun atmosphere on a bigger scale. There is nothing more fun than riding on a giant watermelon while floating in your pool for a great welcoming pool party sign.

Pool Party Food Ideas and Pool Party Snacks

18. Watermelon Popsicles

Two things that are always pleasing to eat are watermelons and popsicles. Why not have both? This delicious treat will refresh everybody at the party and has the potential to be a big hit. Very good easy pool party food ideas to have for your guests.

19. Raspberry Crush Punch

A refreshing drink is exactly what the party needs after a luxurious swim in the pool. Mix cran-raspberry juice and pineapple juice together for a nice cool beverage.

20. Ice Cream Cake

Cake time is the nail to the coffin of any pool bday party ideas. It is a good way to close out all the festivities that went on throughout the pool bday party. Rewarding the whole party with this delicious dessert is a good way for everybody to cool down.

21. Licorice Pool Noodles

Add some color to the party with this quick snack to put together. Grab a family-sized bowl and dump in some rainbow-colored licorice. Place a small sign near the bowl and label it “pool noodles” to add to the theme of the pool area decor. Great idea for a swimming pool party.

22. Summer Pool Party Desserts

A summer pool party calls for summer-themed desserts. This retro pool party bash has loads of great pool party ideas! How fun are the ice cream bar cake pops, ice cream cone, and ice cream sundae-inspired cupcakes, and cookies decorated to look like sunglasses, popsicles, and flip-flops? Plus, the outdoor pool-shaped cake with little fondant swimmers is a creative cake idea too!

Check out our other fun teen ideas on throwing the most awesome celebration!

Written by Samantha Tagher and Nathan Rogers; Contributors: Chris Legere, Royce Legaspi and Sonam Choedon

Chris Legere

College of the Holy Cross

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Nathan Rogers

Framingham State University

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Royce Legaspi

Arizona State University

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Sonam Choedon

University of Massachusetts Amherst

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