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10 Pool Party Decor Items from Target That Are Home-Editor Approved

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Sydney Meister for PureWow

The warm sun, the laughter echoing off the water, the scent of BBQ in the air…ahh yes, pool party season is here. And what better way to celebrate than with some trendy, but still budget-friendly poolside decor from Target? This year, Target’s new arrivals have everything you need to make your next soiree a hit—and thanks to collaborations with Hearth & Hand x Magnolia and Threshold x Studio McGee, they’re designed to fit seamlessly with the rest of your backyard aesthetic. Think: everything from tenniscore-inspired plates to organic modern lanterns. Not to mention there’s a slew of activity sets for kids (and adults), including striped- and pineapple-style beach balls, pickleball sets and a ballon garland sprinkler that looks like it’s straight from the Amalfi Coast. So below, find 10 pool party decor items that will make your backyard the talk of the neighborhood. 

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What’s a pool party without a pool float? Made from durable yet lightweight PVC material, this one looks like it came straight from a resort in St. Tropez—and the stripes come in six playful colorways. It's easy to inflate with an air pump (not included) and at 12 inches tall and 42 inches wide, it’s also wide enough for one person to kick back and relax in comfortably. In fact, one Target reviewer says it’s bigger than it seems: “It's a super-sized float, very large…The quality feels great, and the material of the float is thick and sturdy. I foresee it lasting for many summers.” 

This 10.5-inch round plate is the *perfect* accessory to nail the tenniscore look (aka this year’s hottest backyard trend). Plus, thanks to its durable BPA-free melamine construction, it’s basically engineered for outdoor use. The green stripes on a cream background give it a charming, slightly distressed finish that adds a vibrant touch—and when the party's over, just pop it in the dishwasher for a hassle-free cleanup. 

Continuing with the theme of tennis-related trends, it’s no secret that pickleball is all the rage right now. Hence, why this 16-piece set is the ultimate way to bring the sport to your pool party (in a Joanna Gaines-approved way). It’s designed with a chic, striped pattern on the paddles, and the set includes everything you need: stakes, a net, two pickleballs and two paddles. Plus, it all packs neatly into a zippered carrying bag with double straps, making it easy to store. “Love the bag that has compartments for all the components of the set,” one Target shopper writes. That said, they also note that, “The net is about 8-10 feet too short and is not regulation size.”

This trendy sprinkler was inspired by the Italian Coast, featuring classic cabana pinstripes and handcrafted lemon vine details. And while I’d buy it for the design alone, it’s also easy to set up: Just attach a standard garden hose to the arch, and water sprays out from the top (safe for kids ages 3 and up). The cherry on top is that it includes a reusable balloon garland that inflates in one step. The arch is 7.5 feet wide and 5.5 feet tall, with a 36-inch opening—also making it a fantastic photo backdrop for adults.

While this lantern will definitely bring a Tulum vibe to the pool party, it’s also engineered to be durable and practical. First, you have its beige woven design, which is crafted with a weather-resistant finish that can handle the elements. And since it's battery-operated, you won’t have to worry about finding an outlet or tripping over cords. But the best part is that you can hang it up with the loop on top (and use it like an outdoor sconce) or set it on a table or walkway to add a warm, welcoming glow after the sun goes down. 

Perfect for happy hour, this set includes four clear ribbed tumblers with stylish blue rims, plus a matching three-quart pitcher with a wooden lid. Not only does it look good, but everything is made from BPA-free materials—so it's durable and great for outdoor use—plus, it’s dishwasher safe. Take it from one Target shopper who says, “It's plastic, which is nice because it's lightweight and durable, but it's a very heavy-duty plastic. I also love the cups that come with it! They are so pretty and look just like glass but aren't breakable, so they are perfect for littles.”

Pool float? Check. Pickle ball? Check. Plastic dinnerware? Check. Now all that’s left is some inflatable beach balls (in a trendy matte finish, of course). This set includes four classic striped beach balls in different sizes and colors: 16-inch yellow, 24-inch red, 36-inch light blue and 54-inch green. They’re also made from durable PVC material, are easy to inflate or deflate without a pump and safe for kids 3 years and up. 

Whether you're indoors or outdoors, this set has everything you need for s'mores on demand: a fire bowl with a bamboo tray lid, a bamboo serving tray, three cans of gel fuel and a s'mores recipe book (skewers not included). The clean-burning, smoke-free flames crackle just like real wood, making it feel like a true campfire experience (without the hassle of a fire pit). Plus, each can of gel fuel offers up to three hours of burn time, so you have plenty of time to roast marshmallows to perfection. It also makes for a sweet housewarming gift.

These 10-count globe string lights are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, where each light features a clear, shatterproof LED bulb nestled in a white sculptural saucer. And of course, the design is reason enough to buy the set, thanks to the luxe gold-finish cap detail, all strung along a white plastic cord. They plug into an electrical outlet—and since they come with an end-to-end connector, you can easily string multiple sets together for an even more dramatic effect. Still, it’s worth noting that many reviews say the bulbs read more gray than white: “The flowers are plastic and definitely read light grey when not lit. Warm lights, very pretty white flowers when lit.”

Last but not least, another beach ball (because one can never have too many at a pool party). What makes this one stand out is that it’s a pineapple-designed ball with color-changing LEDs that light up with each toss. It's super easy to inflate or deflate—no pump necessary—and it’s safe for kids three years and up. Just as importantly, it holds up over time, according to Target reviewers: “This is so cute—and it’s pretty big! The lights are super fun, and the construction is sturdy; we’ve had it in our pool in AZ for over a month, and it’s still holding up well.”


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