Halloween Swimming Pool Party

Just as you’re beginning to think that the year is starting to wind down and that all the swimming pool fun is over since the summer has ended, you remember something that gets your heart racing. Halloween is right around the corner!

Every year you and your neighbor take turns out-doing each others decorations, but it’s finally time you stepped up and knocked this Halloween out of the ballpark! “How do I do this?” you may ask yourself. Three words: Haunted Pool Party. Follow this guide to make your Halloween pool party safe, fun and unforgettable!

Halloween Pool Party Ingredients

• In-ground or above-ground swimming pool
• Decorations – spider webs, mummies/zombies, skeletons, etc.
• Jack-O-Lanterns and other fun accent lighting
• Halloween Costumes or Spooky Swimsuits
• Red or Green Pool Light bulbs or Lens Covers
• Lighted floating pool fountain
• Pool Party Red Pool Dye
• Fog machine or strobe light
• Halloween Music & creepy sound effects
• Fun snacks, creepy treats & candy
• Sense of fun and adventure
• Jealous neighbors

How to Make your Halloween pool party SAFE

First things first – before we start having fun, you have to make sure you've covered the basics.  Many times when someone plans a spooky pool party, they tend to forget to take care of the most important element – their pool.  Make sure that your pool is clean and has balanced water.  Move any tripping hazards to a safe location away from the pool. Designate a lifeguard for the party, to keep a big eye on things.

Make sure that all inflatable pool floats are in good condition.  One pool party tip is to inflate them a few days in advance to make sure that your pool float air pump can indeed fill everything and also to check that there aren't any leaks in your pool rafts.  If you are expecting younger swimmers at your haunted pool party, have some fun pool toys and games ready for action!

How to Make your Halloween pool party FUN

Halloween is all about the treats!  No Halloween pool party is complete without a bowl of candy and creepy munchies. There are many fun recipes to be found (like these cute mummy hot dogs) that can make your Halloween pool party fun for young and old. Don’t forget to brew up a cauldron of witches’ brew punch, complete with dry ice for a spooky fog!

When one thinks of a Halloween party, the first thing that comes to mind is what they will wear for the occasion. Dressing up in fun costumes is one of the most exciting parts of Halloween. For those in areas that can still enjoy swimming at this time of year, try to find a fun pool-friendly Halloween costume / Swim Suit.  Aquatic-themed costumes are a blast! Ariel, Neptune, Michael Phelps. Add some ghoulish makeup or props, and you got it!

What’s a Halloween without a pumpkin carving contest?  Make sure to provide a variety of unique pumpkins and all the carving and scooping tools so each guest can create an original Jack O’Lantern. Use small pumpkins that your younger guests can paint up – funny or scary. Including this tradition in your Halloween pool party adds a great activity, becomes a great decoration for the pool party, and finally coupled with a bag of candy – is a great Halloween pool party favor for your guests to take home.

How to Make your Halloween pool party UNFORGETTABLE

Now it’s time to sprinkle in the Halloween magic!  This is where your creativity will take your Halloween pool party to the next level.  On top of traditional Halloween decorations, you now also have an entire new angle to spin – a creepy haunted swimming pool!

First, decorate your backyard and the area around your pool with spider webs & fake spiders, pumpkin leaf bags, ghosts, bats and anything else your heart desires.  A great spooky pool party tip is to lay a stuffed scarecrow/zombie/mummy on a floating chaise lounge which slowly moves around the pool.  Playing some eerie music and sound effects tracks helps create a spine-tingling ambiance.

Second, install a red or green color pool light bulb or lens cover and a lighted tiered fountain in your pool to give it that spooky hue when the sun goes down.  For those that want to go the extra mile, adding some light rolling fog over the pool will give the illuminated water the illusion that it’s alive!  Black Lights can also be used in different areas around the pool.

Finally, during the party, take those freshly-carved Jack O’Lanterns and arrange them around your pool for an even spookier evening glow. Gather your guests around the pool [or in the pool] for one of the most incredible group photos!

The complete Halloween experience

So, as you can see, your swimming pool is not just for summer fun; and can provide a great backdrop to a fun and spooky Halloween party.  Add your own special flair to our starter ideas and create a truly unforgettable pool party, one that will have your whole neighborhood talking for years to come!

Dogs on Pool Floats

Dogs on Pool Floats

Dogs have always loved the water, and for some dogs there is nothing better than a comfortable pool float on a hot day.

Here’s a fun look at some water dogs that are enjoying the dog days of summer while floating in the swimming pool.

GETTING YOUR DOG IN THE POOL

When shark dogs attack! Haha, many dogs aren’t comfortable when wet or are intimidated by the size of the pool.                       

For small dogs, start slow by carrying them into the pool, cradled in your arms. Larger dogs can be led into the steps. Although you can lead a dog to water, you can’t make them swim.

If they are comfortable and not resisting the water, encourage them to swim, and reward their efforts.

Practice swimming to the safety of the pool steps, until they know where all the exits are located.

BEST FLOATS FOR POOL DOGS

It may seem obvious, but your run of the mill inflatable pool rafts and mattresses could be punctured. Dogs also need enough support to lounge like this one shown here.

Closed foam pool floats are durable, but most dogs prefer the larger pool floats filled with eps foam beads and covered in a sturdy mesh fabric, like the Aqua Cloud pool float.

Larger dogs, or more than one can stretch out on the 5’x6′ Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville NeoSoff Mattress. Neoprene covered PVC bladder is tough and comfy.

Get your dog in the pool, but remember to watch dogs closely while in the pool, to lend a hand if needed

Halloween Pool Party

Halloween Pool Party

For you folks in the sunny south, from Virginia Beach to Miami on the east and Fresno to San Diego on the west - a Halloween Pool Party is doable. 

Swim season may be past for most pool owners, except in deepest Florida and Texas, but your pool can still play host to a spooky pool party.

All you need for a Halloween Pool Party is some themed decorations and lighting to go around the pool, some scary snacks and fun party music mix, with some spooky favorites.

Here's some ideas for all 3 - Halloween pool party decorations, snacks and music mix ideas.

Halloween Pool Party Decorations

Silhouette your Pool Floor. As shown in our feature image above, you can cut out jack-o-lantern, witch or ghost shapes from heavy vinyl or plastic and lay them on the pool floor (be careful with vinyl pools!).

Float something Scary. Like these carvable funkins, made from low density foam. Cut some scary faces and float them in the pool with a tea candle or small battery light.

Another idea could be floating plastic witches hats, or a skeleton relaxing on one of your pool floats. 

Die the Pool Red. Party Pool is a non-toxic dye that you add to the pool for a deep blood red color. It filters out in just a few days and won't stain your pool (use as directed).

To add more fear factor, drop in some Halloween store props, like severed heads, skeletons or large plastic spiders.

Light up the Pool. Colored LED pool lights put out a deep rich hue, and you can stop it on one color, red or purple perhaps. You can also purchase black light CFL bulbs, and swap out the pool light bulbs for the party.

Fog Machine - now there's an idea. Set one up to create a cool effect across the surface of the pool.

Halloween Pool Party Snacks

Shrunken Head Punch. Make any type of punch you like, and add these 'shrunken heads', which are actually apples that have been soaked in lemon juice, carved and then baked for a few minutes to shrivel them up. Scary!

Another way to make any punch scary is to add a cube of dry ice so that it fogs up and spills over onto the table. Or, add a ring of regular ice, frozen in a bundt pan, with gummy worms in the ice. 

Mummies in a Blanket. You already know how to make these, a great party food for all ages.

Use cocktail wienies or full size dogs cut in half. Cut crescent roll dough into strips and wrap the dogs up in a criss cross fashion.

Bake according to package directions. Allow to cool, then dot on some eyes with mustard or ketchup.

Candy Corn Jello Shots. Fun and Festive! To make these you need about 10 oranges, orange Jello, coconut milk, sugar and whipped cream vodka. Mmmm. Sounds good!

10 oranges will yield about 80 of these, cut into quarters, each with only about 1/5 of an ounce of vodka. Of course, you can make them stronger if you wish, or skip the vodka all together and serve them family style.