Now that warmer weather is finally here, you may be itching to get out of the house and into the pool. Whether you want to have a relaxing time lounging poolside or invite over a bunch of friends and family for a fun day by the pool, make sure you don’t forget the following 6 must-have items that will make any pool party experience one to remember!
1. Munchies
When you’re planning on having a pool party, you'll want to be prepared for practically anything. It’s likely you'll be outside for a few hours, so be sure to have enough munchies to tide you and your guests over. Pool party snacks like chips and salsa, cheese plates and fresh fruit are great party favorites. Need ideas? Check out these great summer party snack recipes that will be gobbled up in seconds!
If you're thinking about having a backyard barbeque, it’s a good idea to plan ahead to make sure you have all the needed supplies. Don't feel bad about asking your guests to pitch in; your friends and family will be quick to pick up a package of hamburgers or hotdogs when they know you're already supplying the charcoal and buns. Most important tip of all: keep it simple! Anything that requires more than your hands or a plastic fork should be left in the kitchen.
2. Tunes
Music is an absolute must for any great pool party as it sets the mood, gets guests excited and energized, and can lead to some fun(ny) sing-alongs. Public pools may provide some ambient music, but if you're in your own backyard or complex, you’ll have to step-in and play DJ. There are many different types of outdoor wireless speakers available on the market today, but the best ones to have around the pool are going to be water resistant. Water resistant portable speakers can play music from any device including iPods, computers, MP3 players and more.
Get your friends involved in making the playlist by taking song requests. If you prefer not to make a playlist, you can stream your favorite radio station or choose a pre-make playlist from programs like Spotify.
3. The Essentials
Bathing suit, towel, flip flops, sunscreen, hat – these are the basic ‘essentials’ you and your guests will need to bring to the party. Having backups of the essentials is not necessarily a must but can mean the difference between being a good host or a perfect host – because we all have that one friend who will always forget theirs!
4. Entertainment
Depending on how you and your crew enjoy your weekends, you might prefer a party barge or paperback. If you’re in the latter, don't forget that All-American classic you've been putting off reading if you're planning on a relaxing day poolside. Now is a great time to catch up on a bestseller while you're sunning by the pool.
If you're planning for a bit more of a livelier time, be sure to have some games on hand. Classic pool games like Marco Polo, chicken and splash competitions are great go-tos that don’t require any extra equipment. If your pool party is geared more toward adults, a floating beer pong table is a definite must! An inflatable beer pong table takes a fan-favorite and brings it to the pool with 11 built-in cup holders on each side and is available is either blue or pink.
5. Hydration
Plan ahead for your poolside beverages and pick up plenty beforehand. One of the worst things that can happen is having to take a trip back to the store to restock, so make sure you pick up a few extras the first time around. If you're planning on having adult beverages, err towards bringing cans, rather than bottles, so broken glass doesn’t find its way into the pool.
And of course, don't forget to keep plenty of water on hand. Being out in the sun for hours plus drinking alcohol can dehydrate you in no time so be sure to drink water frequently throughout the day.
6. Wind Down
After the sun has set, there is no better way to slowly bring the party to an end than sitting around a fire. Depending on where you live and the certain fire-burning rules of your town, you may be required to use a firebowl or have an inspected and approved fire pit. Firebowls are not only safer, they are also beautiful to look at. Sit around the fire, warm up and laugh about all the silly things that happened during the best pool party ever! Also: Marshmallows. Enough said. Find some beautiful firebowls that ship right to your front door for free here.
