10 Tips for Your Next Hot Tub Party

You know you’ve reached the pinnacle of party-going when you have a hot tub at your party. Perfect for family and friends, everyone loves a good hot tub party.

Here are 10 tips to make your next backyard party one to remember.

1. Limit your invitations

Bigger—despite popular belief—isn’t always better. You don’t want to have an overcrowded hot tub or an overcrowded party. Doing this can lead to injuries, stress on the hot tub, and more stress for you. Try limiting your party to just a few close friends. And if you’re having a hard time deciding who makes the cut, you now have a great excuse to throw two hot tub parties!

2. Pick a good time

When is the best time to start your hot tub party?

In the summer months, it’s a good idea to wait until later in the evening when the weather has cooled down a bit. It can also be more fun when the sun has gone down so you can enjoy your hot tub’s mood lighting. During winter, anytime can be a great time to enjoy the warm water of your spa.

You’ll also need to decide whether you plan on providing dinner for your guests. If you are, it’s best to start the party around 6-7 pm so people don’t get too hungry. And if you do want to provide food, tip #3 is for you.

3. Make it a potluck

You’re already hosting the party, allow your guests to help out a bit. Get some variety going with multiple dishes, and, if need be, assign your guests a dish to bring so you don’t end up with 10 different desserts.

If you want to eat in the hot tub, the best foods are those you can put on a toothpick so you don’t have to touch the food with your wet hands. Fruit, meat, and cheese are all great options. You may also want to consider grabbing a floating hot tub tray so guests can have an easier time getting food while enjoying the spa.

Of course, don’t forget the drinks! Many hot tubs come with convenient cup holders if you don’t have a floating tray. Keep in mind, however, that drinking alcohol while using a hot tub is dangerous for many reasons and should be avoided. So grab your favorite sodas and have a nice evening of fun.

4. Theme it

If you really want to go all out, you can choose a theme for your hot tub party. This can be any time of theming you want, from a tropical Hawaiian theme to a sports theme or a glow in the dark hot tub party. Have guests bring food that fits the theme, and go wild with decorations.

5. Provide fun games and activities

Games can keep the party going all night. Volleyball, cornhole, and ultimate frisbee are great games for outside the hot tub while waterproof card games or board games are great for inside the hot tub.

You can also teach your friends your favorite word or conversation games that don’t require any cards or game pieces.

6. Create a music playlist

Music is a must for every great hot tub party. Create a music playlist of all your favorites for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to not blast the music so loud that you can’t hear your guests; background music is the way to go.

Better yet, if your hot tub has a built in audio system like Bullfrog Spas, it can provide rich sound that wraps around the seats. Your music will sound incredible even at low volume levels.

7. Minimize the mess

Hosting parties can get messy, but don’t worry, it’s easy to prevent that massive after-party mess. Make sure there is easy access to multiple trash cans, and check that there is a clear and clean path to the hot tub and other activities so people don’t get dirty feet in the house or spa.

If you or your guests have children, create a centralized location for toys, preferably close to the hot tub so there aren’t toys strewn all over the yard afterwards.

8. Have extra supplies and toys

Oftentimes kids and even adults forget to bring the essentials. To avoid that awkward situation, have extra towels, toys, sunscreen, and even swimsuits on hand so no one is left out of the fun.

9. Think safety first

The last thing you want is for people to get injured at your hot tub party. If need be, provide signs to caution your guests that the cement gets slippery when wet. Also, put away any items that could be easily tripped over or stepped on, especially by the younger kids. This can provide peace of mind for you and your guests.

It’s also important to limit the amount of time that people spend in the hot tub. Healthy adults should limit their hot tub time to around 30 minutes at a time, whereas children should only stay in for 10-15 minutes. If anyone feels dehydrated or overheated at any time, encourage them to take a break from the hot tub and drink some water.

10. Take time to relax

No one wants a party host that is rushing around the entire time. If you follow these steps, they should minimize your to-do list. So take it easy, make your guests feel welcome, and enjoy yourself.