The BEST Family Pool Party Ideas

FunFlicks outdoor movie party by the pool

The sun is out and the weather is hot; make this summer an unforgettable one with a family pool party! We're here to help you have fun while the kids are out of school. Families across the nation have come to us for over 20+ years to help them throw memorable parties. We have local event hosts who will arrive at your location, set up state-of-the-art equipment, stay for the remainder of the event, and pack everything up once the partying has ended. It’s their job to make your life easy so that you can enjoy your own party. Given our party experience, we want to help you have the best one yet with your friends and family. In this guide, you will find our "Top 5 Family Pool Party Activities," as well as the steps you need to follow in order to throw your own family pool party.

Top 5 Family Pool Party Activities

Make your party fun for everyone with planned activities. Listed below are some of our personal favorites that we’ve seen our guests enjoy time and time again. Parents, kids, and those of all ages are sure to enjoy your party with these activities:

FunFlicks inflatable movie screen next to the pool

1) Watch a Movie by the Poolside

Everyone loves a poolside movie night. Not only because it’s the bread and butter of what we offer, but such a unique experience is one you’ll never forget. A movie by the pool is perfect for winding down as the night carries on. We bring state-of-the-art movie theater equipment to your location almost anywhere in the United States. Our booming high-definition sound and crystal-clear projection set us apart from anyone else; we truly bring the modern movie theater experience to you.

Boy shooting a water gun in the pool

2) Bring on the Water War

Transform your backyard into a battlefield with a water war, an exhilarating and refreshing way to beat the summer heat. To prepare for a water war, have water balloons ready to use and water guns for the ultimate fight. Fill the water balloons with cool water, tying them securely to ensure maximum splash impact. Equip yourself and your allies with an array of water guns, ranging from high-powered blasters to compact pistols, for strategic drenching maneuvers. Divide into teams and designate your territories, creating a sense of thrilling competition. The laughter and screams of joy will fill the air as the battle intensifies, creating family pool party memories that will last a lifetime. So, gather your friends and family, arm yourselves with water weaponry, and embark on an unforgettable water war adventure in the comfort of your own backyard.

Meats and veggies cooking on the BBQ

3) Throw a BBQ Cookout

Nothing says summer better than a BBQ cookout. Guests of all ages will enjoy your party even more after eating delicious homemade food. Fire up the grill and be sure to cook enough for everyone. If you don’t have a BBQ at your house, don’t worry; many parks have them free for public use. You just may need to bring your own coals, fire starter, and lighter. Be mindful of the rules of the local park beforehand. Some parks may have guidelines on hours, coal, and alcohol in the area.

4) Play Marco Polo

Marco Polo is a pool game that kids have enjoyed for decades. The rules are simple, yet you'll find your kids having fun playing it for hours. One player is the designated Marco, and their role is to call out "Marco!" while the rest of the players are "Polos," who respond by yelling "Polo!" The goal is for the blind Marco to seek out a Polo with only the sound of their voices to rely on. Marco wins once a Polo is tagged. The tagged Polo then becomes Marco in the next round. Watch your kids have a great time with this family pool party classic.

Kid on the slip-n-slide

5) Slide into Summer

Slide into Summer with the exhilarating fun of water slides. Your kids are sure to have a blast as they race down a slippery slope over and over again. Guests will arrive in awe as the towering water slide builds excitement just at its site. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, buy a slip-n-slide instead. Have kids compete against each other in slip-n-slide races for a little bit of competitive fun. Adult supervision is recommended, as injuries may occur. To avoid this, have your slide on grass instead of a hard surface.

KC Foam Parties

KC Foam Parties logo

If you’re in the Kansas City area, we highly recommend experiencing fun like no other with KC Foam Parties. The owners of KC Foam Parties, Tom and Deb Caldwell of ET Entertainment, have provided exciting outdoor events since 2009. Their amazing foam machines will fill your grass or pavement with a mountain of cool, clean, allergy-free biodegradable foam up to 30x30 feet and 5 feet high in minutes, for a fun-filled experience for all ages. Included are a professional sound system and beach balls to complete your foamy dance party event. A trained event host will be onsite during the event, providing complete set-up and tear-down. What are you waiting for? Have a foam party!

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How to Throw a Family Pool Party

Choose a Location

To begin planning your family pool party, start by choosing the best location. When deciding on a location, be aware of the expected crowd size. There should be enough room for your guests to be comfortable. The comfort of your guests should be your highest priority in order to ensure a good time. Keep in mind the space that would be taken up by tables, chairs, or an inflatable movie screen. If you plan on having your party at a pool that is not your own, be sure to ask for the owner's permission beforehand. There should be a nearby power source sufficient for powering our rental screens if you plan on renting.

Pick a Date and Time

Plan your party at least a month in advance. This gives you plenty of time to think ahead and invite your guests. More guests will likely show up if they know about the party several weeks beforehand. When choosing a date, consider having your party on a Friday or Saturday evening. Parents tend to be off work and most free during that time, maximizing your chances of guest arrival. Not only should you make sure that your party date works for your guests, but you should also make sure that it works for you. Plan ahead and be aware of the time you’ll have to spend setting up and cleaning up after the fun is done.

Choose a Family Pool Party Theme

Every party needs a theme to tie it all together. For a family pool party, some fun theme ideas may include under the sea, Hawaiian luau, pirate adventure, or tiki lounge. When your party has a distinct theme identifiable by decorations, costumes, food, and choice of movie, it allows your guests to be more immersed in the fun.

Pick a Movie

When choosing the best movie to watch at your family pool party, be mindful of the age group attending and the theme of your event. If you have trouble deciding on a film, let your guests vote online. Social media polls are a great way to allow your guests to express what they want to watch most.

Send Your Family Pool Party Invitations

After you’ve finished planning your party, it's time to send out invitations. Make sure to have a clear note reminding attendees to bring bathing suits and towels.

Event Rentals for Your Family Pool Party

FunFlicks® Inflatable Movie Screen Rentals

Inflatable movie screen rental drive-in

FunFlicks® inflatable movie screens are professional quality at an affordable price. There's a size for everyone, whether you're throwing a massive film festival with thousands in attendance or a small birthday with family at your house. To make sure everything runs smoothly, a local FunFlicks® event technician will arrive at your location on time, set up the screen, oversee the technology, and pack it all away at the end of the screening. Booming high-definition sound, crystal-clear laser projection, and a larger-than-life display are all included when you book an event with us.

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Backyard 16'
12'x7' Display
100 Guests
20 Cars

Premiere 21'
16'x9' Display
250 Guests
50 Cars

Blockbuster 26'
20'x12' Display
500 Guests
75 Cars

Elite 32'
26'x15' Display
750 Guests
100 Cars

Epic 40'
30'x17' Display
1500 Guests
150 Cars

Xtreme 50'
40'x22' Display
3000 Guests
250 Cars

FunFlicks® LED Screen Rentals

LED screen rental event among palm trees

FunFlicks LED screens are perfect for day or night display in almost any environment. Utilizing electroluminescent technology, our LED screens generate light effectively at any time of day. Each panel is rated IP65, meaning they are both rain and dustproof. Day or night, rain or shine, you get to decide when the magic happens. All of our mobile LED trailers have onboard generators for portable power. Therefore, no power supply is needed. Similar to our inflatable screens, our fleet of LED screens comes in a variety of dimensions for a variety of crowd sizes. Local event technicians across the country are available to bring our LED trailers anywhere for you to enjoy video games, live sports, movies, advertisements, or almost everything else!

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8'x5' LED Trailer
75 Guests
15 Cars

12'x7' LED Trailer
100 Guests
20 Cars

15'x8' LED Trailer
250 Guests
50 Cars

17'x10' LED Trailer
500 Guests
75 Cars

23'x13' LED Trailer
750 Guests
100 Cars

Purchase Movie Licensing with Angel Studios for your FunFlicks Event!

Angel Studios, a premier independent media enterprise and film distribution powerhouse, is dedicated to seamlessly delivering outstanding, freshly released, and family-centered entertainment to communities across the United States.