Fourth of July pool parties are a great way to stay cool and celebrate the many freedoms we have in the United States. If you are planning on having family and friends over for a spectacular celebration, you are going to want to make sure you pull out all the stops. Patriotic food, fun games, and beautiful decorations can be a lot to think about all at once. This guide will help you create a party that will create wonderful memories that have your whole family and friends smiling.
Decorations
Decorations are the perfect way to get people into the spirit of the holiday. The proud red, white, and blue of the flag create the perfect color scheme and atmosphere for the festivities. Here are a few decoration ideas for you to try for your outdoor pool party.
Red, White, and Blue Flower Pots
If you have children or an artsy family member, getting them involved in the decorating can create a wonderful bonding experience. A neat arts and crafts activity that will help you create centerpieces for your outdoor tables is creating red, white, and blue flower pots. To create these table centerpieces, you will want to gather the following materials;
- 10-inch flower pots
- Foam brushes
- Painter’s tape
- Star stickers
- Red, white, and blue chalk paint
- Mini American flags
Have your team of creative helpers paint the flower pots in any design that makes them think of America, independence, or freedom. This can be painting a flag on the flower pot, creating the statue of liberty, painting stars and stripes, or an eagle. The chalk paint is harmless and easy to clean up and does not chip off easily, meaning that you can reuse these pots again and again.
The painter’s tape will help you create straight lines, and the star stickers can add a little added flair to your design. Once you have finished painting your pots, allow them a couple of hours to dry. Then, plant any kind of flower, whether real or fake, inside the pots. To tie everything together, place a mini American flag in the center.
4th of July Mason Jars
Another fun activity to do with the kids or friends is to create fourth of July Mason jars. For this activity, you will need the following materials;
- 1 pint mason jars
- 2 cups of white rice
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Ziplock bags
- Tealight candles (fake ones help with fire safety)
To create these cute little lights, you will want to take your rice and divide it into thirds. Then, take two batches of rice and place them into their own plastic bag. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one bag and a few drops of blue to the other. Shake them up well to make sure all of the rice is coated. Give it a few hours to absorb the color and dry. Then, empty out the rice into your mason jars. You can place the colors in whichever order you like. Once you have filled your mason jar with the red, white, and blue rice, place a tealight candle in the center. Then display your new patriotic candles in the area of your choosing, such as the food and drink tables, on the stairs of a deck, or in your outdoor living area.
Festive Food
A pool party is not complete without some refreshments. These simple food ideas not only taste great but look appetizing as well.
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad
If you are looking for a healthy snack that will help reenergize your guests for more laughs and fun in the pool, a fruit salad is the way to go. To create a great combination of flavors with a patriotic flair, just follow this simple recipe. For this fruit salad, you will need the following;
- 2-3 apples
- 1 pint of blueberries
- 1 watermelon
Rinse and slice up or cube the apples and add them into a large mixing bowl. Next, rinse your blueberries and add them to the mixing bowl. Finally, slice up your watermelon, seedless is the best option for this recipe, and place it into the bowl. Make sure you mix it well to allow the colors to blend together. You will want to chill your fruit salad until it is ready to be served to keep the fruit from going bad.
Lollipop Bouquet
Another quick and easy snack idea that is extremely popular with kids is a lollipop bouquet. This is a great centerpiece for a dessert table. Simply take a 6-inch styrofoam ball and place it into a 6-inch bucket or pot. Then, stick 40-60 lollipops into the top of the styrofoam ball. You will want to make sure you are using lollipops with red and blue wrappers.
Games
No party is complete without games. Fun ideas that can be used for your pool include treasure hunting games, such as throwing coins into the pool and having contestants jump in to get them, a watermelon push race where all they can use is there heads to get it across the pool, and a water relay with pool noodles. Whichever you choose, these games are sure to be a hit with all of your guests.
Pool parties are a fantastic time for everyone involved. If you are planning to throw a pool party, is important to ensure that your pool is safe, well-maintained, and properly inspected. Contact Summerhill Pools for all of your maintenance, renovation, and other pool needs. Our experts will ensure that your pool is running perfectly, looks great, and will help your family create memories that will last a lifetime.
