Take the Plunge with These Exciting 4th of July Pool Party Ideas
Envision the Old Glory Red of your favorite swimsuit, the brilliant crystal blue of pristine water, and the stark, clean white of a diving board. Face it: there’s no more American way to celebrate Independence Day than splashing around with your buddies at a backyard pool blowout.
If you’re planning on going aquatic in celebration of our nation, we have some incredible 4th of July pool party ideas that are bound to take the fun at your shindig from inflatable wader to olympic-sized.
From dazzling decor to divine delicacies to dine on, we’ve got every aspect of your pool party perfected so you can dive headfirst into fun this Fourth.
Deck the Deck
Adorning your yard with festive decorations is a striking way to set the mood when your compatriots arrive at your party. It’s simple, but it’s one of the best 4th of July party ideas you can do. Decking things out in red, white, and blue is the classic blueprint for any July 4th party. While we don’t deviate from the formula, much like the Founding Fathers of our great nation, we do revolutionize things.
Here are our suggestions for incorporating the trio of hues into your decor.
- Red – The red of Old Glory represents the valor and bravery of the American people.1 Maintain this spirit of boldness in your backyard by weaving ruby streamers through your fence posts. Keep wrapping until every post is covered and your neighbors see your yard through rose-tinted fences.
- White – The most basic of all shades, there’s a nearly endless supply of used white bedsheets at any thrift store. Get some and swaddle any shrubs and trees growing around your yard for the day. Just be sure to bleach them first, so they shine their brightest!
- Blue – The water’s already blue; what more could one possibly need? Well, how about a line of blue pennant flags to accent your red fence? Tie them to run the length of your yard in swooping U-shapes for a refined, almost presidential aesthetic.
Make Sure You’re Well Equipped
No matter how many times you message the group chat reminding everyone to bring towels and folding chairs, some (or many) will inevitably forget. To be the host with the most rather than the host that should ghost, be sure to keep all of these in abundant supply:
- Towels
- Extra clothing, especially swimsuits
- Goggles
- Sunscreen
- Seating
- Umbrellas
- Sandals
- Floating chairs and loungers
- Ice
- Plastic cups (kindly but firmly remind everyone that there’s no glass around the pool!)
- Plates
- Games and entertainment
Yes, even though you have one million other things to attend to as the host, you’ll still be expected to provide the fun and games. If you’re not sure what games to play, we’ve got you covered there as well.
Lead the Leisure
The reason people look to you to provide the fun is because you’re such an exciting person to be around. Keep the good times rolling with these classic swimming pool games:
- Marco Polo – Perhaps the most iconic pool game, Marco Polo is a beloved childhood memory of many. To play, one person who is It closes their eyes and yells, “Marco!” The other players respond with “Polo!”, and the chase is on. If the It player tags someone or yells, “Fish out of water!” while another player is on the deck, the hunted becomes the hunter.2 But I’m sure you knew that.
- Splash contest – Here’s another fun pool party idea. Your parents always said to keep the water in the pool, but rules are made to be broken. Seeing who can cannonball or belly-flop their way to the biggest wave is an exciting way to pass the time and participate in a little friendly competition.
- The Great American Dive-Off – In the continued spirit of competition, on the opposite end of the splash showdown is the diving contest. The goal of this swimming pool game is to see who can soar through the air with the most grace and create the smallest splash. However, it’s equally as entertaining to see who can get the deck the wettest from their splash.
Alternatively, your guests might find it fun to just chill, hang about, and float by the pool. If you have them on hand, it’s a good idea to bring out these fun pool toys too:
- Beach balls
- A pool noodle for each person
- Water guns
- A water balloon station
If your guests are feeling a little shy to show off their impeccable diving skills, there’s a chance they’re just peckish. Or, perhaps they need a little liquid courage.
Prepare a Feast and Some Frosty Aperitifs
There are certain expectations one has when they attend an Independence Day party. One of those is to gorge themselves silly on the most classic American foods that the country has to offer. Some 4th of July grilling essentials to consider serving your guests include:
- Hot dogs (not a suggestion, a must)
- Hamburgers (also compulsory)
- Potato salad
- Deviled eggs
- French fries (but call them American fries, just for the occasion)
- Caesar salad
- Apple pie (as there’s nothing else as American)
- Ice cream (cool everyone down and make that pie à la mode)
Speaking of cooling people down, sometimes submerging in the tranquil waters of a backyard pool still isn’t enough to stave off the July heat. To ensure your guests are chilled-out and comfortable, serve up this sensational slushy surprise.
The Lousy Lifeguard
We suggest that actual lifeguards stick to drinking water while they’re watching the pool, and that’s why sipping one of these tropical treats would make them lousy.
To mix this baby up, gather:
- 2 SLIQ Spirited Ice Frozen Rum Pineapple Daiquiri Cocktail Pops
- 2 SLIQ Spirited Ice Frozen Agave Mango Margarita Cocktail Pops
- 1 cup of fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces of vodka
- 2 cups of coconut water
Making this cool cocktail couldn’t be easier. Simply:
- Combine all the ingredients in the carafe of a blender.
- Blend on medium-high until you reach a slushy consistency.
- Serve in hurricane glasses garnished with a slice of pineapple (for that crowning tropical touch).
To be more festive, consider serving red, white, and blue drinks for the 4th of July, like the classic Jello shot. With these Fourth of July pool party ideas, your Independence Day soiree will be the envy of your block. We know some neighbors can be a little more difficult to please, however. So, if you really want to knock their socks off, we have one more simple suggestion.
Stock Up on Crisp, Delicious Frozen Cocktail Pops from SLIQ
No matter how patriotic your decor is, how delicious your hot dogs are, or how much fun people have with your activities, the real cornerstone of any Memorial Day party is the beverages.
Don’t tell your guests to BYOB, because they’ll likely forget it at home with the towels. Instead, fill your freezer with the cocktail sensation that will keep them cool and satisfied.
SLIQ makes frozen cocktail pops in a dozen powerful flavors that are sure to please your pool party’s patrons. Whether your guests crave the high-class of whiskey highballs or prefer the sweet, citrusy slurp of a margarita, we have them covered with our frozen margarita pops and whiskey ice pops.
So fill a floating cooler and drift it into the middle of the pool—just don’t blame us if the fifth of July rolls around and your guests don’t want to leave!
Sources:
- USAGov. The American Flag. https://www.usa.gov/
- University of Melbourne. Marco Polo Build-up Tips. https://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/
