Kick off summer with a pool party tailored to your crowd

Thu, Jun 5, 2025 (2 a.m.)

As we shed the final layers of spring and slip into the long stretch of summer, a more radiant, social version of ourselves swims to the surface. And what better way to welcome that sun-drunk energy than by gathering your peeps for a day-long poolside affair?

Whether you’re looking to keep it PG or curating a grown-up summer soirée, the key to a killer pool party is planning around the vibe. So, first things first: Is this a kid-friendly fest, or an adult-only hang? Once that’s nailed down, everything else, from food to floats, can fall into place. 

Prep your space. 

Before you even think about blowing up the flamingo raft, clean the pool, sweep the patio, check the chlorine levels and stock up on clean towels for your guests. Think ahead about seating (loungers, picnic blankets, even inflatable chairs) and shaded zones. Nobody wants to be the first sunburn casualty of summer. If kids are coming, have some children’s life vests ready to go. Don’t forget to make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked.

Feed the beast.

Snacks are the social glue of any good pool party. Chips and dips are mandatory. Fruit spreads, popsicles and a punch bowl are easy crowd-pleasers. Get the grill going for burgers (don’t sleep on veggie options), hot dogs, shrimp skewers, veggie kabobs or anything else that screams “grill me.” For cold sides, bust out some ceviche, caprese sticks, watermelon feta salad and maybe a pasta salad. Bonus points for a cheeky charcuterie board that floats. Just be sure to keep your victuals in the shade when it’s serving time. A general food safety tip: keep the cold foods cold and hot foods hot. 

Sip in the sun. 

On the beverage front, keep it light and fruity. Margaritas, mojitos, tiki concoctions, hard seltzers and sangria. For the non-drinkers or those who are underage, serve up some mocktails, aguas frescas or soda floats. If you’ll have kids running around (or drunk adults), you might want to consider a glass container ban and go with all cans or plastic bottles. 

Pick a theme.

Themes can guide your decor, music, food, and even dress code. Here’s a few to consider: For kid-centric swims, lean into “Under the Sea,” pirates and mermaids, or a good ol’ fashioned luau. For the 21+ crowd, think Miami Vice (pastels and synth-pop), tiki time, or floaties and frosé. For something more laid back you can never go wrong with a backyard fiesta—the perfect excuse to crack open some cold cervezas and fire up the grill for carne asada. 

Enjoy a night swim.

Even as the sun starts to set, that doesn’t mean the party has to end. String up some lights, set up a s’mores station and gather ‘round as you wade into the evening with a wind-down playlist and a final dip in the pool with the last people standing—or swimming. 

3 easy Pool games everyone can dive into

Chicken fight 

A timeless pool favorite, the chicken fight brings out everyone’s competitive spirit. This game is played in teams of two, one person acts as the base while the other climbs on their shoulders. You know how it goes—lock hands and try to knock your opponents into the water without falling in yourself. 

Poolside trivia 

Turn your pool day into a battle of wits with a game of trivia. Designate a host who stays dry and asks the questions, while the platers float or stand in the shallow end. Tailor the questions to your group’s interests like movies and music. Correct answers keep players in the game, but a wrong answer means a splashy consequence like having to dunk yourself or take a sip of your drink. 

Floatie Races 

This is not Olympic swimming; it’s absurdity at its wettest. Inflatable unicorns, donuts or oversized tacos, whatever floats your boat. Line up, push off, and flail your way to victory. The only rule you need to abide by is to not fall off your plastic float. And above all, don’t take it too seriously. The real win is making it across without going belly up. Loser has to fetch the next round of drinks from the cooler!

Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!