The summer heat is only going to rise from here. This is why so many people choose to a host a pool party during the hot months. Of course, there are a lot of downsides when it comes to a pool party though. For starters, the price of the pool is sure to leave you hurting if you’re on a tight budget. Your pool party doesn’t have to leave you tightening your belt for the month though. Instead, you may want to try out these ten tips to help you make the most out of your pool party without having to keep your wallet out. Your summer will be all the more exciting and you may even be able to squeeze in more than one party this year.
1. Small Guest List
One of the worst things you can do for your pool party is plan a huge guest list that you can hardly keep up with. If you’re renting a pool for the event then you may end up paying per guest or at least for a specified amount of people. A small guest list will keep your costs down and will provide more pool for your guests to enjoy. Of course, there is more than just rental prices to consider when it comes to your guest list. You will also be responsible for feeding the amount of people you invite, which could be a huge problem if you invite a lot of people on a budget. You will also have to entertain and possibly provide each guest with a goodie bag. Before you know it, you’ll be wishing you would have cut out the distant family and colleagues from the list.
2. Light Snacks
When it comes to swimming, you don’t really want to provide your guests with heavy foods. This can cause cramping while swimming or may inspire them to ignore the pool altogether. This can be a huge problem if you’re renting the pool. Not to mention, heavier snacks and foods tend to cost a lot more money to supply to a large group of people. Instead, you should keep it simple with light snacks. Set out a fruit tray or vegetables with a nice dip. This will encourage healthy eating while allowing people to get more out of pool time. Chips are another great option to satisfy appetites while keeping things on the cheaper side. There’s a lot of summer inspired treats you can make too, so check online for recipes that appeal to you and your guest list.
3. Timing
If you’re renting a pool then timing can be everything when it comes to your party. A lot of people want to swim when it is at its hottest outside. This would mean booking around this time frame. Unfortunately, this is one of the hot spots for booking so you will probably end up spending a bit more on your rental. One of the better options is to host your party in the morning or in the evening. If you work with a morning schedule then you can serve light brunch foods that are cheap to begin with. Evening parties will allow people to set out and look at the stars to help keep them entertained. Of course, if you have your own pool then you might want to plan for a time when your guests are available, especially if you’re working with a potluck party.
4. Host at Home
Of course, if you already have a pool at home then host there. This may mean inviting even fewer people than you initially thought, but this will help create a more intimate environment. With the money you’ll save from renting the pool, you can spend a little more on food and entertainment. You could just not spend the extra money at all though to save even more money. You will have to shape your invitation list based on what your pool can handle though, which can be hard. To be safe, you should always invite less people than you think would be suitable for your pool. Hosting at home can offer many freedoms that you will love though. For instance, you can start a bonfire, cook your food by the poolside and play music from your home stereo system. The savings only keep coming if you already own a pool.
5. Bring Noodles
One of the best things you can have at your party is pool noodles. If you have children coming to the party then these are an absolute must. Kids can build rafts, transform the noodles into swords and generally have a blast with them in the water. With noodles in your pool and outside of it, you may not even have to plan any other activities because kids tend to see them and are ready to play until they can’t anymore. You can, of course, create a wide assortment of games with these awesome pool toys though, which gives you a cheap form of entertainment. Apart from the kids, adults can use pool noodles to float as the relax in the water. They’re also great for games of chicken and more.
6. Gift Bags
If you’re hosting a pool party for children, then you will most likely be expected to give out a goodie bag to all of the guests. This can really add up in price, but there are a few things you can do to keep the goodie bag on the cheap side. For starters, you can easily grab pool oriented supplies to fit into the bags. For instance, you can grab cheap sunglasses from the dollar store. If you want to spice them up, have the family decorate them before putting them in the goodie bag. You can also have guests decorate their own sunglasses as a party activity. Another great item is a tiny capsule of sun block to help keep kids’ skin safe while they play at your party. A few fake coins are also a great choice, so kids can dive for them in the water. Finally, a cheap ball is a fun option that will keep kids busy for hours. With the right goodie bags, you may have to play very little when it comes to entertainment.
7. Bring Your Own Music
A DJ or band can be one of the worst expenses on your list. You won’t need this kind of entertainment at the pool because most people will be more concerned with cooling down in the water than dancing by the poolside. This doesn’t mean you should knock out music altogether though. Music can help bring a fun environment, that is perfect for guests that are relaxing by the pool or socializing. Instead of going crazy when it comes to spending in this regard, simply use what you have at home. You can hook your mobile phone or music playing device up to basic speakers to allow everyone to hear the music. You can also use streaming devices to ensure you have a wide assortment of songs to keep the guests happy.
8. Relays
One of the best ways to keep guests entertained for longer is to play out a few relays. You can easily do these based on age groups, so everyone can have their time to shine. There are so many relays you can do in and out of the pool that you can probably plan a few hours worth of activities this way. One option is to have people swim rings from one end of the pool to another. You can even plan races where people have to pass off items as they swim laps. Relay races also allow people to bond more efficiently. So, you could help people make new friends while they swim at your amazing party.
9. Ditch a Theme
A lot of people love to add a theme to their party too, which can be a huge problem when it comes to keeping on budget. Themes mean coordinating plates and gift bags, which often means buying overpriced products. Instead of utilizing a theme, go with a solid color. This will allow you to buy the paper product you need, without forcing you to spend a whole lot. If you don’t have a theme then there is also no need to decorate. Most of the time, decorations go unnoticed or end up getting damaged with the first cannon ball anyway. So, cut yourself some slack and go simple, because the pool will be plenty of a theme for most of your guests.
10. Out of Water Games
Not all kids are going to want to spend the entire party in the pool. This is especially true for very young kids. So, you may want to spend some time on some games that kids can enjoy outside of the pool. One easy option is to have a drawing contest using sidewalk chalk. You can also set up tic-tac-toe boards and hopscotch sections. There’s many small games you can add to your list of fun too. For instance, you can grab a cheap set of jacks for older kids. Tops are another cheap option that will keep children mesmerized. You may even utilize musical chairs and other classic party games to keep the land loving babies busy and entertained.
Throwing a pool party can be one of the most rewarding aspects of summer. It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting the party for a birthday or you simply want to enjoy a get-together, because these ten tips are sure to leave you with a little extra money before it is all said and done.
