As temperatures soar and schedules slow down, fun in the sun takes a prime spot on the agenda. For those who are lucky enough to live near an ocean or lake, relaxing on the sandy shore is a great way to while away summer afternoons. No water in sight? Not to worry—even landlocked sea lovers can indulge in their love for the nautical life by throwing a backyard beach bash. With a little creativity, some strategically placed party decorations, and a group of fun-loving guests, you can throw an authentic beach-themed party. (Water is optional!)
Below, we’ve compiled some helpful party planning tips for an unforgettable beach bash:
- Choose a location. If you’ve got a big, fenced-in backyard, you can host your party at home and use beach-themed party decorations to re-create the essence of the shore. While a pool is a nice bonus, there are plenty of other ways to incorporate water—easy alternatives include sprinklers, inflatable water slides, and Slip-n-Slides.
- Choose a theme. Okay, the obvious theme—the beach—is a given. But why stop there? Customize your beach party by adding a fun, unique twist. One idea is to turn it into a Hawaiian luau, complete with grass skirts, leis, tiki bars, and limbo contests. Party Favor Mall offers a full range of Hawaiian party decorations and party favors to infuse your outdoor space with the warmth and hospitality of the tropical islands. Another popular beach theme is a surfing party, where the guests are encouraged to wear surfing attire, bring their boards, and even participate in simulated surfing competitions.
- Plan a soundtrack. Summer songs are a must for a successful beach party. Choose music that evokes the essence of the shore—the Beach Boys, reggae, Jimmy Buffet, Sublime, and any other artists whose sounds emanate a carefree, relaxed ambiance. Consider placing portable or wireless speakers in strategic places throughout the yard to ensure prime acoustics for all guests.
- Choose your party decorations. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to infuse your venue with the appeal of a sandy shore or exotic isle. Some easy and economical beach party props include tiki torches, beach balls, and plastic palm trees. For festive lighting, string up white mini lights, suspend lanterns from tree branches, or place votive candles in paper bags. If you have a pool, light floating candles on the water for a shimmering effect. To add a touch of realism, consider creating a temporary faux beach by emptying a few bags of sand in one area of the yard. Some other unique ideas include using beach towels as tablecloths or coconut shells as centerpieces.
- Get guests moving. Starting up a party game is a great way to encourage guests to interact and to break the ice between different circles of friends who may not know each other well. A carefully chosen competition can tie in to your party theme. To conjure up ideas, think about popular beach activities that could easily make the transition to your own backyard, such as volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, or badminton.
- Add festive flames. To ignite the spirit of an authentic beach party, add a bonfire. The dancing flames will create a celebratory atmosphere and will help keep the crowd warm when temperatures dip after dark. A copper fire pit or rock-enclosed fire ring provides an easy way to create an outdoor bonfire. If you plan to create a bona fide bonfire, you should check with the local municipalities to determine whether a special permit is required.
- Choose your beach fare. A beach-themed party calls for summer-friendly foods: pig roasts, smoked barbecue, succulent fruit kabobs, and pasta salads, to name a few. Complement the meal with beachy beverages typically served oceanside: margaritas, pina coladas, fruit smoothies, or mai tais. Complete the effect by serving drinks in festive containers, such as hand-painted martini glasses or fish bowls, and by topping them off with miniature umbrellas. For a grand finale, serve such hot-weather indulgences as pineapple upside-down cake, ice-cream sorbets, or creamy puddings.
Don’t let geography limit you—no matter where you live, you can host a backyard beach bash with all the seaside accoutrements. A beach party provides a great opportunity to kick back, relax with friends and family, and celebrate the simple joys of summer.
Today’s modern families are busier than ever. From sporting events to school functions to household chores, parents and children are often rushing from one obligation to another, racing against the clock to squeeze in everything that has to be done. With so many responsibilities, downtime is often in short supply. If you’re craving a break from your fast-paced daily routines, you may be surprised to discover a remedy right outside your front door.
When was the last time you spent some time relaxing with the neighbors? We live in an age where over-the-fence conversation and cul-de-sac revelry have given way to emails, text messages, and other forms of “express communication.” This summer, unplug your high-tech toys, push aside your day planner, and throw a long, leisurely block party. It’s a fun, easy way to turn passing acquaintances into built-in friends, and to form family connections that will endure for seasons to come. In addition to creating camaraderie, cultivating relationships with those who live closest to us promotes a sense of security and solidarity.
So, how to pull it off? Planning a block party is easier than you might think. Follow these quick, simple tips to throw a street soiree that will delight children and adults alike.
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Ah, summer—the season of cookouts, picnics, fireworks and, of course, pool parties. With more and more homeowners installing swimming pools for recreation and to increase the value of their residential properties, suburban neighborhoods have seen a surge in the number of backyard pools. Swimming pools often serve as the hub for birthday parties, Memorial Day gatherings, Fourth of July celebrations, Labor Day cookouts, and other summer soirees. Nothing infuses a gathering with frivolity like the sounds of splashing water, laughter, and music that mark a pool party.
Although pools have become synonymous with fun, sun, and water games, they also pose their own set of hazards. The statistics are sobering: in 2005, there were more than 3,500 pool-related drowning deaths in the United States. The risk is even higher for children—drowning is the most common cause of death for kids under five. Perhaps the most devastating aspect of these tragedies is the fact that they could easily have been prevented by utilizing proper safety procedures.
When throwing a pool party, it’s critical to follow some standard rules of thumb to ensure the safety of your guests—especially when there are children present. Below, we’ve compiled a few recommended guidelines:
- Make sure there’s a phone nearby. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, every second counts. Having a point of contact within arm’s reach could very well be the difference between life and death.
- Make sure your backyard swimming pool is enclosed by a fence or safety barrier at least five feet high to prevent unsolicited access to your pool party. Ensure that all doors and gates leading into the pool are self-latching, and never keep them propped open for any reason.
- Designated a “guard”. When children are in the pool, make sure there’s always an adult supervising. If there’s more than one adult, they can alternate lookout shifts. Anyone who’s “on duty” should refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages.
- If you’ll be playing any games during the pool party, hold them at a considerable distance from the water to prevent accidental falls.
- Keep plenty of sunscreen, towels, and extra tee-shirts on hand to protect tender skin from getting burned by harsh UV rays.
- Anyone with a swimming pool on their premises should be fully trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
- Never leave a pool covering partially over the water during a pool party, as swimmers could get trapped underneath it.
- Instruct swimmers to remain clear of any pool drains or filters that may pose hair-catching hazards.
- Make sure that all standard rescue equipment, such as flotation devices and safety poles, are nearby during your summer party. Although these tools should be easily accessible, they shouldn’t be kept in a place where children could be encouraged to use them as toys.
- When serving poolside meals or drinks at your summer party, use plastic glasses and tableware rather than glass, as the latter could potentially shatter and fall into the water.
- Nothing boosts the energy of a pool party like summer music, but be sure that all CD players, stereos, and other electronics are kept at a safe distance from the water to prevent electrocution.
- In the event of a thunderstorm, evacuate the pool and move the party indoors.
- Restrict diving to designated areas with sufficient depth and proper diving boards. Never let anyone dive off the edge of the pool or into shallow areas.
Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard with a small, inflatable pool or entertaining guests on the deck of a luxurious, in-ground swimming pool, following these safety guidelines can help ensure that your summer party is as safe as it is fun.