It’s almost Summer (my kids only have 5 days of school left!) and that means we’ll be spending the majority of our time by the pool in the coming months. Arizona is already showing its true colors with temperatures scraping 100 degrees, so the water is really the only place to be when it gets that hot. I’ve put together everything you need for an amazing pool party whether it’s just your own family hanging out together or you’re hosting a Summer bash. From what to wear all the way down to what you’ll want playing through the speakers, it’s covered in this post. Let’s dive in 💦

Setting the scene

Before you host a party, let’s get your back yard ready for a party. Wayfair is having a HUGE outdoor sale right now and it’s the perfect spot to stock up on everything you need for al fresco dining, lounging in the sun, and truly making your outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the home. I think if the space allows for it, every back yard should have a conversation set, a dining table, a couple of loungers, a great rug to tie it all together and a few homey outdoor accessories to make it feel styled. We have these arm chairs around our fire pit (peep them in the background above) and we love to sit out there with a cold drink in the evening with friends. I love how it coordinates with the matching sofa which I think has a very sleek modern look for a very affordable price (peep the cushion table so you can skip the coffee table in favor of a fire table)! Speaking of fire tables, this fire table is a great option and maintains that clean, sleek patio vibe with enough of a ledge to set your feet or wine glass on. If you’re a fan of al fresco dining, you have GOT to grab yourself some of these fly fans to keep the bugs away from your food. I saw them for the first time at a restaurant when we dined on the patio and I think they’re absolutely genius. Would make a great Father’s Day gift too! Finally, we have three of these solar- lit umbrellas by our pool and I love that they’re as fun in the evening as they are useful in the daytime.

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Stay cool & hydrated

Now that the backyard is ready, let’s get the food and beverages flowing. I am completely obsessed with these retro coolers on wheels that can be filled with anything from cans of your favorite beverage to dozens of popsicles. What I love about this particular style is that if you’re a crafter like I am, you can use your vinyl cutter to create decals or designs that will adhere to the cooler that suit the theme of your party or event. Hosting a last day of school party? Make a cute decal that is on-theme and stick it on your cooler. Even if it’s left plain, it’s still adorable and highly functional for all those backyard gatherings. This large beverage dispenser is currently in my cart as well – fill it with a custom juice or cocktail that you’ve created for the party or just fill it with water to keep the kids hydrated when the temps get high. I love that it’s insulated and will stay cold for hours. For a handheld drink, these individual drink pouches are so much fun. You can create your custom cocktail for the adults, or I love the idea of using hydration packets like Liquid IV in these to share with the whole group. If wine is on the menu, you need one of these insulated wine bottle chillers (just got one for my mom for Mother’s Day!). They come in great colors, and actually make a really lovely hostess gift for Summer as well! Don’t forget the multicolored plastic wine glasses to keep your guests’ glasses straight, and the eco-friendly aluminum solo cups for whatever you’re sipping.

As far as the floating cooler raft goes (or the Party Barge, as we like to call it) it’s as fun as it looks. My experience says I would skip food if kids are in the pool because: soggy. But it’s large enough for loads of ice and drinks to keep the party going and the guests hydrated in or out of the water.

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Time to jump in

I’m a stickler for quality pool floats. They get weather-beaten, not to mention the rough play from all the kids. It’s worth investing in some quality foam floats in my opinion because they last YEARS and don’t require being replaced every year. We brought ours from Michigan and they are still holding up well even in spite of being stored outdoors 24/7/365. I went with a blue scheme in my pool pads, and I can’t recommend the Noodle Plank Float enough – most of the time this sits on the side of our pool and keeps our booties from getting burned on the hot pavers around the edge of the pool. If you’re ready to have some fun OUTSIDE the pool, I cannot recommend these reusable water balloons enough. I loathe the broken piece-y mess of traditional water balloons and these reusable balloons are good time after time. For swimming, I have two favorite styles of goggles for kiddos. One has a split strap perfect for keeping the goggles in place on the back of the head without slipping or sliding (it can accommodate a pony tail for girls too) and the second style is a scarf style, which is really comfortable for the kids and doesn’t pull their hair. If your pool parties are after dark, how cool are these floating light orbs?? I just think they would set a very cool vibe for an evening affair, whether you’re in the water or just enjoying the view. Finally, what pool party is complete without a bubble bazooka? I saw a kid walking through a restaurant shooting a bubble gun the other day and my serotonin immediately spiked. Instant fun maker.

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TUNE IN

What’s a great pool party without a great playlist? Here are a few of my favorite Spotify playlists for your gathering.

LET’S DIG IN

Summertime = cookouts and cold sides for me. Obviously we all know you can’t beat grilled brats, burgers or chicken, but here are a few side dishes that I can’t get enough of during the hot Summer months, and they’re always sure to please a crowd. First off, I love anything that goes on a tortilla chip and the options are obviously limitless for that, but one of my fresh favorites is a hearty cowboy caviar. If you’re being a little more nutritionally mindful and want to skip the chips, this is just as delicious as a salad, just skip the chip and eat it with a fork! I also love a pasta salad like nobody’s business and again, when I’m trying to be a little more health-conscious, I will use Banza pasta to add protein. Check out my Pool Party Pinterest board for some great recipes you need to bookmark for later.

SUITS THAT FLATTER

I’m serious about being a playful mom this summer. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines of my life and look back only to wish I’d been more playful and fun when I had the chance. Because of that, I’m focusing more on affordable and easy to wear options over fancier swimwear that is better suited (pun intended) for sitting by the pool like a hood ornament. Ya know what I mean?? I put together a list of my favorite affordable options that are mom-approved and canon ball friendly. Go ahead – get your hair wet, moms.

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