Every student wants a fun way to say “farewell” to the school year and ring in the summer. If you’re the parent of a graduating student, or you simply want to celebrate another year’s worth of hard work, a school’s-out pool party might be the perfect way to show just how proud you are. Take a look at our favorite ways to throw this kind of party below.

Personalize your party

Any pool party is a special one—but for your students who are either graduating or moving on to a new grade level, personalization is a special way to celebrate. Use school colors when decorating with banners, string lights, party favors or even pool floats. You can even create a special congratulatory banner to greet the kids as they arrive.

Provide pool-themed drinks and snacks

Add an extra level of fun to your pool party by getting creative with the theming. Pool-themed drinks and snacks—from licorice pool noodles to preserver-shaped candies—are easy ways to feed your party guests in a special, inventive way they will remember.

Use plenty of fun floats for entertainment…

A wide array of fun pool floats is the key to any pool party. Use food-shaped floats, floats that can host a group of swimmers, and others to keep the entertainment going throughout the party. As we mentioned earlier, even simple ring floats in your student’s school colors will be especially meaningful to everyone in attendance.

…and function

There are also those floats that double as functional items for in-pool entertainment. Pick up a floating drink holder (or even several life preserver-shaped can rings) to let the fun flow in and out of the pool.

Make your music special

You can put special consideration into the music you use for your pool party playlist. Consider using music that has a fun, celebratory tone—or, if your students are graduating, select songs from all of the years in school for a meaningful trip down memory lane.

Create fun photo-ops

All of your pool party guests will want to go home with plenty of photos to commemorate the day—so give them a great place to take these photos! A handmade photo-op area can be as simple as a banner with special messages or a “Class of 2016” stand-up sign your grads will want to pose in front of. Everyone will enjoy this special show of pride as they say “goodbye” to another year of classes!

An end-of-the-year pool party offers your student the perfect chance to get together with friends and celebrate the culmination of another year’s worth of hard work—so have fun with the party planning and be sure to enjoy it all alongside them!