The Provisions

Everything you need to host a summer gathering with all the waterworks.

H20 Supply: No pool? No problem. Just set up an inflatable pool or a sprinkler.

Food: Serve a selection of easy-to-snack-on dips and spreads, like Gingery Cilantro Dip; Warm Feta Spread; Yogurt, Dill, and Walnut Dip; and Yellow Tomato Salsa. (See Recipes.)

Games: Introduce the kids to this cooler take on the relay race (see photo). You’ll need two buckets for each team and anything that holds water — bath toys, plastic cups, sponges, or even ice-cube trays. Place a bucket full of water at one end of the yard and an empty bucket at the other end. Taking turns, each player dunks the water-bearing item into the first bucket and runs to the second bucket to unload the water. The team to fill its bucket first wins. (For more kid-friendly activities, see Toys of Summer.)

Invitations: Lure guests to your water world with aquatic-themed invitations. Write the details in permanent marker on rubber swim caps. (It’s up to you whether you make guests actually wear them.)