Choose a theme. This gives you the chance to get really creative with your pool party. Choose a classic Hawaiian theme with tiki torches, grass skirts and leis. You could also go for a pirate theme with treasure chests, toy pirate ships in the pool and assorted pirate attire. Some other ideas to expand on include a 1960s beach party, Under the Sea or the Olympic Games.

Purchase pool floats, games and toys. There are a variety of pool floats available from round tubes to seats with built-in cup holders. Keep in mind the size of your pool before making any purchases. There are many pool games to choose from, like basketball nets or volleyball nets and toys like ring toss or weighted fish to dive and collect.

Decide on music for your pool party to set the mood. You can be your own DJ with an MP3 player and a quality stereo that is MP3 compatible. Make a playlist that reflects the theme of your party, play CDs of favorite summertime songs or just blast your party-goers' favorite songs and artists.

Plan the entertainment for your party. This can be anything from hired entertainers to arts and crafts you do on your own. For larger scale parties or birthday parties, hiring entertainment may be the easier choice. This can vary from the usual magician or clown to renting a karaoke machine or photo booth. Crafts like decorating your own canvas beach bag or embellishing a pair of flip flops are great activities for kids. For adults, classics like piñatas or a game of limbo can give a retro feel and evoke memories of childhood.

Choose the perfect pool party food. Swimming and game playing will make your guests hungry. You want to serve food that is easy to eat and can stay outdoors for a good amount of time. There are the obvious snack foods like chips, popcorn and pretzels, but why not get creative? Bruschetta is a nice alternative to potato chips and don't be afraid of sliced veggies and fruit salad. Serve ice pops, homemade or store bought is fine, and make sure everyone has plenty of water to drink.