Independence Day may seem far in the future, but now is the time to plan for a fantastic celebration! Many party rentals tend to go quickly in the summertime, especially around the holidays. So if you’re planning a big Fourth of July Bash, or another summer party, you need to start planning as soon as possible!
Our favorite way to cool off and celebrate, both on July 4th and throughout the summer? A waterslide! Waterslides are loads of fun for all ages and provide an energetic way to keep cool in the middle of summer. Plus, waterslides make showstopping centerpieces for any celebration. Here is our guide for planning a 4th of July party with a waterslide as the main event:
1. Choose Your Location
As you consider a waterslide theme, ensure your venue can support it! If the party will be in your own front or backyard, check the dimensions of your preferred rental to ensure you have plenty of flat, level space for an inflatable slide and enough space for all your guests and other activities. Keep in mind your slide will need a bit of a splash zone, so those who don’t want to get wet can stay dry! Not sure if your space is ideal? Our event rental experts are here to help!
If you’re using another venue for your patriotic party, it’s important to confirm if the venue allows a large waterslide rental . . . and ask about a water source for the slide! If you don’t have a water source, but are already committed to the idea of a slide, don’t worry! Our inflatable slide rentals at Fun Services Midwest double as dry slides.
2. Pick Your Waterslide
Once you have set your location and confirmed a waterslide will work with your space, it’s time to book that slide rental! For July 4th, you might like a patriotic aesthetic with vibrant red, white, and blue in the Rockin Rapids slide and the Bahama Mama Wet Dry Slide. But summer gatherings can have a wide variety of themes! Lil Kahuna is perfect for a Hawaiian theme, and we have plenty of other inflatable slides with other themes and colors as well.
3. Cover Your Basics
The waterslide isn’t all you need to have a successful July 4th celebration. If you don’t have sufficient seating, tables, and shade for your backyard or other venue, you can rent folding tables, chairs, tents, and other event extras to accompany your waterslide! These rentals will go a long way toward making your party more functional and relaxing for your guests.
4. Invite Your Friends
Now that the essentials are all covered, it’s time to send the invites! This can be as formal or informal as you want it to be. Consider sending paper invitations or setting up an e-vite or social media event invitation where you can outline a few specifics. Tell your guests to bring:
- Swimsuits
- Towels
- Sunscreen
- And anything else they may need for your specific event
Letting your guests know in advance that this will be a waterslide-centric party will help ensure everyone arrives ready to participate!
5. Be Prepared
Let’s face it: Life is busy! Even when you’ve communicated ahead of time and sent all the details, a guest might forget something. You can save the day with extra towels and sunscreen as a gracious host. Have plenty of backups to keep your guests comfortable if they arrive unprepared!
Speaking of prepared, keep in mind the dripping-wet children who will be running around your party. Avoid thin paper plates, cups, or straws that won’t hold up to the water everywhere, and instead consider plastic, wax-coated, or even reusable dinnerware. Regardless of the route you take, don’t forget the trash bags and paper towels!
6. Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
The decorations really set the tone for a Fourth of July celebration, and the best thing about this kind of party is that decorating is really easy! Just keep it red, white, and blue with a few flags here and there. If you’re on a tight budget, stock up on patriotic decorations at the dollar store.
7. Throw in Some Extra Fun
While the waterslide is the main attraction, it doesn’t have to be the only one! Here are a few other ideas for making your party extra patriotic:
- Star-spangled Bottle Ring Toss
- Starfall Game for even more starry play
- Patriotic Face Painting
- Red, white, and blue sno-cones to cool off between rounds on the slide
(Water)Slide into Summer with Fun Services Midwest!
We cannot wait for all the splishing and splashing to come this summer! Whether you’re planning a celebration of independence or a birthday bash for your little one, Fun Services Midwest is ready to bring the fun to your party!
Take a look at our catalog of party rentals and contact us to book your rental in Kansas City or St. Louis now!
