How to Create the Best Pool Party Yet!

When it comes to hosting a stellar pool party, you’re going to need more than just a heated pool. Guests will expect food and entertainment, and you don’t want to disappoint. Here are just a few tips to make sure your swimming soiree is the best pool party of the summer.

Maintain Your Backyard Oasis

When you host a pool party, your swimming pool is the undisputed star of the show, so it needs to be properly cleaned and maintained in preparation for summertime use. Even if you enjoy regular cleaning services, stop in to your closest  Valley Pool & Spa to with a water sample the day before the party. Make sure your pool water is balanced and safe as well as clean for your guests. 

Don’t forget the rest of the yard, either. To make your pool stand out like a shimmering jewel, make sure all your lawn is mowed, weeded, and pruned to perfection. Sweep up the pool decking and hose it down for beauty and safety, and if necessary, rent a power washer at your local hardware store to deep clean the area. Rent chairs from a local party supplier if needed to ensure adequate seating.

Send Invites Early

Summer is prime time for planning family vacays, so you want to make sure your party is on everyone’s radar early. You don’t necessarily have to go wedding-style with invites delivered three months in advance, but 4-6 weeks of notice isn’t unreasonable during this busy travel season.

This also gives you plenty of time to collect RSVPs, delegate food assignments (if your event is a potluck), and prepare for the number of guests attending. Evite is great for this purpose, as it has tools for tracking and even options for potlucks.

Stock Up on Pool Toys

No pool party is complete without a range of floats and toys to ensure everyone has a great time in the water. These could range from basic pool noodles and beach balls to water wings or swim vests for kids, inflatable loungers and inner tubes, diving games, and water squirters, just for example. Valley Pool & Spa is your one-stop-shop for all things pool fun! 

Don’t forget to pick up an electric air pump, ideally one that both inflates and deflates, to save yourself time. You may also want to stock up on beach towels, or if you’re hosting a large group, make sure everyone knows they need to bring their own. Provide essentials like sunblock and insect repellent to keep everyone comfortable.

Get Your Grill On

When the weather is nice, the last thing you want is to find yourself stuck in a stuffy kitchen while everyone enjoys fun in the sun. This is why grilling is perfect for summer parties. Get everything prepped in advance so all you have to do is man the grill when your guests arrive.

Not keen on managing food for a large group? Consider hosting a potluck. You can create a sign-up sheet to ensure you have everything you need for an epic pool party feast. Alternately, you could treat everyone, including yourself, with catering or a food truck rental, handing off prep, serving, and cleanup to the pros.

Hire Entertainment

If you’re a social butterfly, you might have no trouble coming up with games and entertainment galore to keep your guests happy. Or you might have some wicked summer playlists already set up on Spotify.

However, if you want to throw the party of the season, there’s no reason not to splurge on entertainment. You could hire a live band or DJ for the day, bring in face-painting pros for the kids, or secure the services of a fire-dancing troupe for an evening soiree.

Keep Your Pool Party Safe and Fun for Everyone

Ensuring the safety of your guests is a paramount concern when hosting a pool party. As the homeowner, you’re liable for accidents and injuries, so take every precaution. Start by making sure your guests know the rules (no running on wet decking, for example).

From there, you may want to hire a local lifeguard to keep an eye on the pool for the duration of your party. It might seem excessive, but it frees up parents to enjoy the party without having to keep an eagle eye on kids in the pool area.

With the right preparations, food, entertainment, and safety precautions, you’ll have no trouble throwing a fantastic pool party your guests won’t soon forget. Stop by Valley Pool & Spa today to find everything you need for pool maintenance and summer fun!