Are you ready for Halloween? In addition to the traditional costumes and trick-or-treating, why not make this year extra special and celebrate in your backyard pool? Throwing a Halloween pool party is a great way to get family and friends together for this fun fall time holiday. If you do go the pool party route, try out some of these ideas for a memorable get together:

Colorize your pool water

One of the easiest and boldest ways to deck out your pool space for Halloween? Color the water! You can purchase pool coloring in pink, green, purple or another crazy hue to celebrate. Your guests, especially young kids, will love the festive colors. And you don’t have to worry—pool coloring is made to be safe for both swimmers and the pool itself.

Light it up Halloween style

Unique lighting is another way to get your pool and patio ready for Halloween. Hang jack-o-lantern string lights from backyard trees, poles or a balcony to create a warm, festive atmosphere. Floating orb lighting in orange, purple or green is also an easy idea. Finally, if you get a chance to carve and light up traditional jack-o-lanterns, be sure to place them near the pool to provide easy lighting and décor.

Host a costume party

Just like candy, costumes are a huge part of Halloween—so be sure to include them in your poolside festivities! You can have your guests don their traditional costumes then switch into swimsuits and swim trunks when they get to your pool. For an even more unique twist on the costume aspect of Halloween, you can even ask your guests to think up their best water-themed looks! These can be anything from mermaid tails to lifeguards to scuba divers... whatever they’re okay with getting a little wet.

Surround your pool with themed décor

When it comes to decorating your pool and patio for Halloween, the options are virtually endless. Drape fake cobwebs from your tree branches and bushes. Line your pool with pumpkins or premade jack-o-lanterns, and hang spooky décor like spiders and ghosts from your roof. Why leave all the decorating fun indoors?

Hand out fun party favors

Before your guests head home for the night, be sure to send them off with fun (and tasty) party favors. These can be sugar cookies with Halloween sprinkles, classic candies, and other treats. How you package them is up to you! Some fun ideas include putting your goodies in small beach buckets to tie in with the pool theme. For kids, adding fun pool toys like mini beach balls or goggles can also be a good idea. No matter what you choose, you’ll be able to present traditional Halloween snacks in a way that will remind your guests of your pool party!

Are you planning on celebrating Halloween by the pool? Have fun with the treats, decorations and other parts of party planning… just be sure your pool is warm enough for a late October swim!