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    Home » Parties

    11 Unique Pool Party Themes

    Published: May 19, 2024 · Modified: Aug 19, 2024 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Now that Summer is here, there is not better time to throw a fun filled backyard pool party. To help you create the ultimate celebration, I have put together a list of Summer pool party themes that are sure to wow your family and friends.

    Four different pool parties.

    The Essentials For A Pool Party

    There are so many fun themes when it comes to pool parties. No matter what pool party theme you choose there are a few essential things that are great to include.

    • Pool Safety - It's a good idea to have a life jacket, pool noodles, or floats.
    • Shade - Try to have some sort of shade from the sun available. Tents, umbrellas, or pergolas are great.
    • Coolers - Keep your water and other drinks cool with a cooler packed with ice.
    • Trash Cans - Keep the bugs away and your pool party clean by placing a few trash cans around the area.

    Fun Pool Party Themes

    These pool party themes are here to inspire your next party or celebration. A ranch of pool party ideas that you can make your own.

    1. Tropical Luau

    Backyard pool decorated with a table with a pineapple and tropical table setting.

    If you would like to throw a tropical luau themed pool party, there are several things you can do to create a festive atmosphere.

    Decor: Decorating with vibrant tiki torches, leis, colorful plates, tableclothes, napkins, and palm leaves. Add colorful flowers and even beach-themed floats.

    Food: You could try serving tropical drinks. Using a coconut cup would be fun and whimsical. BBQ chicken or pork, grilled pineapple, Hawaiian pasta salad, and fresh fruit and great food options.

    Activities: The limbo is always a fun activity to keep guests entertained.

    2. Mermaid Theme Party

    Outside pool area with a table decorated in a mermaid theme with blue and purple balloons.

    A mermaid party would be fun for kids and adults. Use your favorite mermaid colors as part of the theme.

    Decor: Transform your space with iridescent balloons, shell garlands, and sparkly tablecloths, and add mermaid tail floats to the pool for a magical touch.

    Food: Serve sea-themed snacks like fish-shaped cookies, clam cookies, "ocean water" punch, mermaid cupcakes, and seafood appetizers to delight your guests.

    Activities: Organize a mermaid tail swim race, set up a craft station for making shell necklaces, and have a photo booth with mermaid props for memorable fun.

    3. Pirate Pool Party

    Backyard pool decorated with pirate party decorations.

    Decor: Deck out the area with pirate flags, treasure chests, and maps, and scatter gold coins and skull-and-crossbones decorations around the pool.

    Food: Serve pirate-themed snacks like "fish and chips," fruit skewers as "pirate swords," and drinks in coconut cups for a swashbuckling feast.

    Activities: Host a treasure hunt with hidden "loot," organize a pirate costume contest, and set up a cannonball splash competition in the pool for adventurous fun.

    4. White Party

    Backyard pool decorated with white balloons and a white tent.

    Decor: Adorn the area with elegant white drapes, balloons, and fairy lights, and use white lounge furniture and floral arrangements to create a chic, all-white ambiance.

    Food: Serve a sophisticated menu with white-themed foods like coconut shrimp, cheese platters, and white chocolate-dipped strawberries, along with refreshing white cocktails.

    Activities: Set up a white dress code for guests, organize a poolside fashion show, and have a photo booth with white props and a glamorous backdrop for stylish snapshots.

    5. Fiesta Pool Party

    Pool party decorated with a fiesta theme.

    Decor: Brighten the area with colorful papel picado banners, piñatas, and vibrant flowers, and use festive tablecloths and cushions to enhance the lively atmosphere.

    Food: Serve a delicious spread of tacos, guacamole, and churros, accompanied by refreshing margaritas and agua frescas for a true fiesta experience.

    Activities: Organize a salsa dance contest, set up a piñata for guests to break, and have a DIY taco bar where everyone can create their own delicious creations.

    6. Flamingo Pool Pool Party

    A backyard pool party with flamingo floats.

    Decor: Transform the space with pink flamingo inflatables, tropical palm leaves, and bright floral arrangements, and use pink and green table settings to enhance the theme.

    Food: Serve fun and colorful snacks like flamingo-shaped cookies, tropical fruit platters, and pink lemonade, complemented by refreshing cocktails with flamingo stirrers.

    Activities: Organize a "best flamingo float" contest, set up a photo booth with flamingo props, and have a water balloon toss game to keep the party lively and fun.

    7. Glow-In-The-Dark Pool Party

    Night time pool party with neon decorations and balloons.

    Glow-in-the-dark parties are so fun, especially in the pool!

    Decor: Illuminate the area with neon lights, glow sticks, and glowing pool floats, and use black lights to make neon decorations and body paint pop in the dark.

    Food: Serve glowing drinks in neon cups, bright-colored snacks like neon cupcakes and fruit platters, and use glow-in-the-dark ice cubes for a fun twist.

    Activities: Organize a glow stick dance party, set up a neon body paint station, and have a night-time pool volleyball game with a glow-in-the-dark ball.

    8. Nautical

    Pool party with a nautical theme.

    Decor: Create a nautical ambiance with navy and white decorations, anchor motifs, and sailor hats, and add lifebuoys and rope garlands to enhance the maritime feel.

    Food: Serve seafood dishes like shrimp cocktails and crab cakes, along with "ocean water" punch and cookies shaped like boats and anchors.

    Activities: Organize a boat race with inflatable rafts, set up a photo booth with nautical props, and have a treasure hunt with hidden maritime-themed treasures around the pool.

    9. Under The Stars

    Pool with tables set with candles.

    Decor: Transform the space with fairy lights, lanterns, and glow-in-the-dark stars, and set up cozy seating with blankets and pillows for a stargazing atmosphere.

    Food: Serve star-shaped cookies, cosmic-themed snacks like galaxy popcorn, and refreshing drinks with glittery ice cubes to match the celestial theme.

    Activities: Organize a telescope station for stargazing, set up a glow-in-the-dark pool volleyball game, and have a constellation crafting area where guests can create their own star maps.

    10. Tutti Fruiti Pool Party

    Backyard pool area set up with a beautiful table with colorful balloons and plates.

    Decor: Brighten the area with colorful fruit-themed decorations like pineapple and watermelon inflatables, fruit garlands, and vibrant tablecloths to create a fun and festive atmosphere.

    Food: Serve a variety of fresh fruit platters, fruit kebabs, and fruity popsicles, along with refreshing smoothies and tropical fruit punch.

    Activities: Organize a fruit-themed scavenger hunt, set up a DIY fruit salad bar, and have a poolside fruit toss game using inflatable fruit toys for a playful twist.

    11. Christmas In July

    A Christmas tree by a pool with a red float.

    Bring the winter holidays to summer with a "Christmas In July" themed pool party.

    Decor: Blend summer and holiday cheer with floating Christmas ornaments in the pool, inflatable reindeer floats, and palm trees wrapped in tinsel and string lights.

    Food: Serve holiday-themed snacks like gingerbread cookies, tropical fruit platters, and barbecue dishes, accompanied by festive drinks in Christmas-themed cups.

    Activities: Organize a Santa hat relay race, set up a Christmas-themed photo booth, and have a "best holiday swimsuit" contest to keep the festive fun going.

    More fun pool party themes

    There are countless pool party ideas. A few others I love include pool party movie night, western themed pool party, retro themed party, beach party themed, and more.

    Planning a unique themed pool party can turn a simple gathering into an unforgettable event. Whether you choose a tropical luau, a glow-in-the-dark fiesta, or a nautical adventure, the right decorations, food, and activities will set the perfect mood. With these creative ideas, you’re sure to host a pool party that will leave your guests talking about it all summer long.

    ***Image Disclaimer: I used AI images to create the images in the post. These images are for inspiration only and to give you ideas on how party decor might look.

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    Hi! I'm Heather and I'm here to share my love of parties, holidays, food, and fun.

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