How to Plan the Best Pool Party

Posted: May 17, 2024

Swimming season has finally arrived in Iowa, and it’s time to start thinking about your first pool party of the year. Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or simply the arrival of warm weather, pool parties are ideal for enjoying quality time with friends and family. But before you can get to partying, you’ll need to do a bit of planning.

Hosting the perfect pool party can feel like an overwhelming task, but by following these simple tips, you can easily put together a gathering to remember.

Create a Guest List

Planning your pool party is much more straightforward when you know how many guests you’ll have and who those guests will be. Create a guest list, and send out invites well ahead of the party to both give you a clear headcount and help you avoid scheduling conflicts.

Having a guest list can tell you how much food and drink to provide and how much seating you’ll need. 

Get Your Pool Ready

kids jumping in a swimming pool

Once the invitations are sent, it’s time to prepare for the party. The first order of business is making sure the main attraction is in good shape.

Test the Water

You’ll want to get all of your regular pool maintenance done to make sure your water is well-balanced and crystal clear. Test the chemical balance of the water, and opt for extra cleaning to avoid any issues on the day of the party. 

Test Pool Equipment  

You should also double-check that all of your pool’s equipment is working properly. Check your filter and pump, and if you notice any problems, make sure to reach out to a professional immediately so that you can take care of any repairs in plenty of time for the party.

Prepare Your Pool Area

In addition to preparing the pool itself, you want to consider your pool area. The area around your pool is crucial, as this is where guests will be spending ample time mingling. Before your pool party, make sure that you do the following:

pineapples in front of a swimming pool

Set Up Seating and Supplies

Take some time to comb over the area and verify that it’s perfectly accommodating to your party attendees. This includes providing enough seating, as well as supplies like sunscreen and extra towels. Refer to your guest list to determine whether you need to make any special accommodations, such as guests who will be bringing children.

Get Festive 

You can also go the extra mile and decorate your pool area. Get festive by adding decorations in line with the holiday, such as red, white, and blue decorations for Memorial Day. If your pool party isn’t centered around a holiday, you can opt for neutral decorations that work year-round, such as outdoor lighting.

Bring in Entertainment

People enjoying a sunny day at a lively poolside with a giant inflatable yellow duck float

You can also level up your pool party by incorporating entertainment. Give these tips a try for your next gathering:

Pool Toys and Floats

Good conversation and a luxurious pool can often be the only entertainment you need at a pool party, but you can enhance that experience with the right supplies. Add some pool toys, floats, and games for even more fun.

Great Music

Music can always enhance the mood and make things feel more lively. Bring out the Bluetooth speaker, and set up a pool party playlist.

Provide Food and Drink

You’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks and beverages available. Chips, dip, fresh fruit, and finger foods are a great start, but you can also take it a step further and order pizzas or throw some burgers and dogs on the grill. Just make sure to consider any allergies or special dietary needs your guests may have.

Consider Safety

Children playing in a colorful swimming pool with floaties

One of the most important parts of hosting a pool party is ensuring safety. This is especially true if young children will be in attendance. If you can, provide floaties or tubes for the little ones, and always make sure to keep the pool gate safely closed.

Enjoy Yourself!

The irony of party planning is that it’s easy to forget to enjoy yourself as well. During the party, don’t forget to leave time to sit back, relax, and take in one of the greatest benefits of being a pool owner.

Get Your Pool Ready for Pool Party Season in Iowa

Ready to get your pool in celebrating shape? Leave it to the pros at WCI Pools & Spas. We take pride in never settling for less for our customers, and we offer a comprehensive range of services, including pool maintenance and repair. If you need help preparing your pool for an upcoming party in Iowa, contact WCI Pools & Spas today.