Fall is in the air, but the warm Texas weather means pool season might not be over just yet! Which creates the perfect situation for a fall-themed pool party. We already shared a few tips on creating a spooky themed pool party, but what about all those other fall occasions? Here are some fun ideas for planning a fall themed pool party for football season, birthdays, or just a family get together.
Be Clear: Swimming or No Swimming?
If you have an awesome deck surrounding your pool, then you may decide to throw a ‘pool’ party with no swimming, particularly if you’ve already closed your pool or if the weather is too cool. Just make sure you are super clear about whether or not there will be swimming to avoid disappointed guests.
A short line on invites should do the trick. “Fall weather is here, but our heated pool is still open! Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!” or “Due to cooler temperatures, the swimming pool will be closed during this event, but we will have the fire pit going!”
Maximize Live Decorations
One of the best parts about throwing a season-themed party is you can make use of all the live decorations. Think pumpkins, squash, leaves, fall flowers, and live plants. This is particularly awesome if you (like us!) prefer not to use fake, plastic decorations that were probably made overseas.
Live decorations might be a bit more pricey, but they can be used for most of the season and require much less clean up!
Here are a few ideas for live decorations:
- Pumpkin display
- Potted mums in different colors (or other fall flowers)
- Cornucopia
- Painted branch bundles
- Bowls filled with winter squash
Fall Themed Games & Entertainment
There are tons of options for fall themed games, and if the weather is still warm (thank you, Texas!) you can also incorporate a few games from the summer. Before you choose the games, you really need to consider whom you have attending. 14-year old boys might not be so interested in playing games, while a group of 10 years are all about it. (Also, consider the temperament of your group, particularly for adults.)
Here are a few game ideas:
- Giant Jenga
- Corn Hole
- Outdoor Twister (make sure this is safely away from the pool!)
- Marco Polo (can be played in the pool or out – so long as it is played away from the pool!)
- DIY photo booth with fall themed props (You could also hire a photo booth company if DIY isn’t your thing!)
Fall Foods
Fall foods are often comfort foods, which can seem at odds with a pool party, but if you’ve ever opened Christmas presents with the windows you know there is nothing wrong with pairing some tasty warm cheese dip with swimming.
So don’t be afraid to break out all the delicious fall party foods! Here are a few ideas:
- The Best Queso that Ever Lived (We take a little exception with the title. You should add jalapenos.)
- Pumpkin roll
- Sliders (Little bitty burgers are the perfect party food!)
- Warm bread w/flavored butter
- Mashed potatoes & gravy (pot roast would be good for a smaller party, too.)
- Pumpkin pie
- Chili
Get Planning!
Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean you can’t make use of your pool – this is Texas, after all! Got more ideas for throwing the perfect pool party? Share your tips in comments section below.