With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, you are likely trying to get in as much pool time as possible before the fall season sets in. One of the best ways to enjoy your pool is by having a pool party. The extended weekend ahead makes for the perfect time to have everyone over to enjoy a dip, eat good food, and make memories. We are going to discuss some of our favorite pool party snack ideas to ensure your next gathering is swimming in compliments.
Pool Party Snack Ideas
When it comes to serving food around a pool, there are some key things to keep in mind. Think about preparing finger foods that are easy for people to grab on the go, will last a while outdoors and won’t go bad easily, offer a variety of flavor profiles, and are good for all ages. Check out some of our favorite simple pool party snack ideas below.
- Charcuterie: Creating a charcuterie board provides many options for your guests to choose from, all in one place. You can keep it as simple or make it as extravagant as you want. Basically, charcuterie is cheese, meats, and whatever else you want to include. Since you are by the pool, we recommend serving cheeses and meats that are easy for your guests to grab and eat with little effort needed on their part. You could put the items on toothpicks, making them even easier for people to enjoy on the go. Of course, you don’t want to leave cheese and meats out for too long, but as we have witnessed time and time again, these are usually some of the first snacks gone.
- Finger Sandwiches: Finger sandwiches are easy portable snacks. Much like the charcuterie, you can get as gourmet, or keep it as simple, as you want. You can offer a variety of options, or stick to the basics. If you have vegetarians attending, be sure to have something available for them as well. These miniature sandwiches are extremely simple for people to eat in between swims and shouldn’t even require the need for a plate.
- Fruit Skewers: This one is rather simple. On a hot summer day, it seems like everyone craves some type of fruit. To keep your fruit in finger food style, put it on skewers that are easy for guest to enjoy without requiring silverware. Again, you can create different varieties of the fruit skewers or not, the choice is really up to you.
- Veggies and Dips: It seems like no party is complete without some sort of vegetables and dips at it, making it a great pool party snack idea. Veggies and dips make it simple for guests to indulge in as little or as much as they want, all at the touch of their fingertips, literally. Plus, this is a healthy snack, and great way to get the kiddos to eat their vegetables.
- Chips and Dips: We suggest having your swimmers dry off, at least their hands, before going in for their chips, to avoid a soggy mess. Again, chips and dips are a staple of a party food menu. They are easy, offer options, and are simple to eat and serve without needing silverware and plates (notice our theme here).
- Hot Dogs: We feel like you can never go wrong when serving hot dogs at an outdoor gathering. Hot dogs are easy to eat and cook, are typically loved by all ages, can survive cooked for a while outdoors in the heat, and offer a more filling option. You can prepare your hot dogs in advance or grill them right on the spot with your favorite grilling device.
- Popsicles: You will not want to keep popsicles outdoors too long, as they will melt, but they are a good option for later in the day and a great way to allow your guests to cool down a little. Popsicles can offer a sweet option and are on a stick, so they are easy to consume without utensils. Even adults can love a popsicle from time to time.
As you noticed throughout our pool party snack suggestions, we recommend having foods that don’t require guests to have plates and silverware, to avoid having more things to clean up, unwanted items ending up in your pool, and food items sitting around on plates and attracting bugs and other pests.
For your next pool party you can make the foods as simple or complex as you want. The key to a successful outdoor party is making memories and enjoying your backyard oasis, so however you get there, is up to you.
At Litehouse Pools & Spas we have pools and accessories, outdoor furniture, grills and smokers, fire pits, and more to make sure you have a great pool party.
Visit us online or in one of our locations today.
