Summer Entertaining & Pool Party Menu

Invite your friends to come over to beat the heat, take a dip to cool down, and then to enjoy a delicious meal with this Pool Party Menu!

Hello, Friends! We’re smack dab in the middle of summer and I have to say it’s been very hot here in Oregon! Thanks to our pool, we’ve entertained quite a bit this summer, hosting small and large events, because everyone wants to get refreshed during the hot summer months—both with great food and drink, and a dip in the pool!

Today I’m sharing an easy Pool Party Menu, perfect for a backyard party, whether you have a pool or not. A casual gathering is all about the people, right? Add in a great summer menu, and you’ll have all the neighbors talking! 🙂

The secret to a fun, successful pool party is to keep it simple. If your guests come early to swim, make sure to have extra towels and sunscreen, and easy snacks planned out that only take a few minutes to set out.

3 Pool Party Tips.

1. Have more than enough food. Make any recipes x 1.5, because when guests are swimming, they always consume more food. Leftovers are great, and it’s better to have more than enough, than too little!

2. Personalize wherever possible. Nothing makes guests feel more special than touches specifically catering to them. Using chalkboard wine glasses, a quick scribble of a guest’s name is the perfect place card, too, when setting the dinner table.

3. Cell Free Zone. Encourage guests to “unplug,” with a place where they can rest their cell phones during the party.

Set up the appetizers.

I like to start with a small table, covered with a festive blanket with bold stripes, setting out the water and snacks before dinner, for the ravished folk. Don’t you remember as a kid being so hungry after swimming?

Grab a towel, grab a plate, fill your plate with finger foods such as Caprese Salad Skewers, chips and salsa, and a giant bowl of fresh melon. These are simple snacks loved by all ages.

But then, after everyone is tuckered out, dried, changed, and ready to party … it’s time for the real food. Go ahead and move the finger foods inside.

Set the table.

Transform a new table with the same tablecloth (blanket).

White Dollar Store plates, chalkboard wine glasses, and blue Mason jars for water.

Fill orange water bottles (I found at the discount store–Tuesday Morning).

Serve the food inside and let guests mingle to their assigned seats for a delicious dinner!

MENU – SERVE THE FOOD.

I hope you’ll enjoy this simple Pool Party Menu that I’ve found to be delicious to serve to my summer guests.

APPETIZER: Caprese Salad Skewers {Reluctant Entertainer}

SALADS: Blueberry Corn Salad with Prosciutto and Dilled Potato Salad with Feta {RecipeGirl}

MAIN DISH: Rosemary Lemon Chicken Skewers {RecipeGirl}

DESSERT: Mixed Berry Cobbler with Homemade No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream {Reluctant Entertainer}

Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

What are your favorite foods to serve at a pool party?