How to Pack for a Pool Party (and Throw One Worth Packing For)

Summer means the pool-party count goes up. Whether you are heading to a resort pool event or a friend's backyard, the worst feeling is realising you forgot something. So here is our pool-party packing list, first published on this site and updated, followed by ideas for hosting one of your own.

The 15 pool party essentials

1. Towel. You do not want to drip-dry or borrow someone else's. A thin, quick-dry towel packs easily.
2. Sunscreen. The most important item. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen and reapply after swimming and towelling off; sunburn raises the risk of skin cancer.
3. Sunglasses. Glare off water is intense, and UV is bad for the eyes as well as the skin.
4. Hat. A wide-brimmed or floppy hat gives shade sunglasses cannot.
5. Hair care. A comb or brush, hair ties and, if you are particular, a rinse-out conditioner to help with chlorine.
6. Waterproof portable speaker. What is a party without music? Waterproof means you can stop worrying about splashes.
7. Snacks. Trail mix, crisps, fruit or gummies; cheaper than the poolside bar.
8. Something inflatable. No pool party is complete without floats; they pack flat and inflate on site. See our float guides.
9. Swim cover-up. Handy for trips to the bar, the bathroom or the buffet.
10. Sandals or slides. Wet feet and fussy shoes do not mix, and hot paving burns.
11. Waterproof plasters. Small cuts and scrapes happen around pools.
12. Reusable straws and cups. Fun for drinks and safer than glass.
13. Change of clothes. In case your dry clothes get splashed, or the party moves on.
14. Swimsuit. Pack it first. A spare one is never wasted.
15. Pool bag. A waterproof tote holds the lot and wipes clean.

Hosting: the basics

• Shade and water. Set up umbrellas or a gazebo and keep plenty of drinking water out; heat creeps up on people.
• No glass by the pool. Plastic or metal only. A broken glass in a pool is a party-ender.
• Floats and toys. A mix of rings, a lounger or two and an island float suits most groups.
• A water watcher. If anyone is likely to be in the water after a few drinks, agree who is keeping an eye on the pool. See water safety basics.

Casino night by the pool

One of the best themes for a grown-up pool party borrows from Las Vegas, where pools and casinos have lived side by side since the 1940s. Set up a shaded card table by the water with a waterproof tablecloth, a deck or two of plastic playing cards and a set of weighted chips that will not blow away. A rotating dealer can run blackjack, while a Texas Hold'em game ticks over at another table; everyone starts with the same stack of chips, and the biggest stack at sunset wins a prize, such as the giant flamingo float or first pick of the cocktails. Many hosts keep it purely for chips and bragging rights. Dress code: swimwear, sunglasses and your best poker face. For rules, hand rankings and kit, see our guide to poolside poker and card games; for how the real thing works in Las Vegas, read about swim-up blackjack and the city's pool parties and dayclubs.

Food and drink ideas

Keep it easy to eat with one hand and safe in the heat: skewers, wraps, fruit cups, and an ice-filled cooler float for cans. Big batch drinks such as a fruity punch, lemonade or sangria save the host from bartending all afternoon. For more beach-and-pool drink ideas, see how to throw a great beach party.