This simple watermelon hacks for your next party post is sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Hosting parties is something that I love to do. I love getting together with family and friends to create priceless memories that we’ll remember forever. We’ve thrown countless backyard barbecues, brunches, pool parties, birthday celebrations, and so much more over the years. Last week we hosted our very first ever watermelon party in honor of National Watermelon Month.
As a mom, I’m always searching for ways to cut down on party prep time and easy food hacks so I wanted to highlight that with this party. Our summer soiree was one for the books! I’m sharing the photos below along with some of my go-to watermelon hacks when you’re throwing your next party.
8 Simple Watermelon Hacks for Your Next Party
1. Make a watermelon keg
Watermelon kegs are all the rage at parties. They’re a fun conversation starter and centerpiece for your main table. It’s simple to hollow out the watermelon and insert the spigot. The Watermelon Board has a quick tutorial here. For our party, we made one keg and filled it with none other than watermelon juice for a non-alcholic kid-friendly option.
If you’re wanting multiple drink options, it would be a great idea to create a bar using watermelon kegs with different drink options. Think lemonade, sangria, or fresh watermelon juice.
2. Salsa as a topping or dip
Have you ever tried watermelon salsa? It’s the best! Skip all the steps of making salsa before a party. To make watermelon salsa, simply pick up your favorite salsa from the store and toss in a few cups of diced watermelon. Top with diced cilantro and serve. You can serve your watermelon salsa with traditional tortilla chips or use the salsa as a topping on burgers, hot dogs, and salmon.
3. Watermelon vases
I love the thought of fresh flowers as a table centerpiece. I wanted to make sure that I showed our guests ways that they could use the whole watermelon as a part of their party. How many times have you prepped watermelon dishes only to throw some of it out at the end? We’re #TeamNoWaste over here!
Mini watermelons that were hollowed out for food dishes were filled with fresh flowers and used as centerpieces. You can use any flowers to fill the vases. I chose to use colorful seasonal flowers to add an extra bit of color to our tablescapes.
4. Use pre-made watermelon juice
Sometimes as moms, we don’t always have the time to make fresh watermelon juice. Pre-made watermelon juice is a great alternative for creating recipes and filling those kegs. Watermelon juice boxes are a great alternative for kids as well. They’re portable and easy to clean up.
5. Don’t forget the grilled watermelon
If you’ve never tried grilled watermelon before, you’re seriously missing out! Grilled watermelon is done in under 4 minutes and can serve as the perfect party appetizer.
To grill the watermelon, turn your grill to high heat. Once your grill is warmed up, place the watermelon slices at an angle. Grill on each side for up to 2 minutes until you’ve got perfect grill marks. I like to spread a olive oil and cilantro mixture on both sides while grilling for a little added flavor.
6. Chicken kebabs are a must
Whether your party is for kids, adults, or both – I promise the chicken kebabs will be the first thing to go. The kebabs are probably my favorite hack of all. They’re tasty and anyone can make them. To start, grab a party tray of chicken nuggets or popcorn chicken from your favorite store or restaurant. Then, slice some watermelon into large cubes. Lastly, add the chicken and watermelon onto kebab sticks.
You can also add cheese, cucumber, peppers, or other foods that you think your guests might like on the kebabs.
7. Watermelon lollipops for dessert
Skip spending hours in the kitchen making dessert and opt for store bought lollipops instead. You can pick up watermelon lollipops from Oriental Trading online for a quick and easy dessert option.
8. DIY paddle boards for games
I scored the cutest watermelon paddle boards that make their debut in the video below. However, they’re seasonal but are super easy to make with watermelon cardstock and blank paddle boards. Simply cut the watermelon cardstock to the shape of the board and glue on with clear mod podge.
Have you ever hosted a watermelon party?
Check out this video from our party and let me know below what you think of these hacks!
Well, now I’m starving AND I want to party down! These are great tips. I’m glad you threw in the grilled watermelon. Not enough people realize how amazing that stuff is.
There is no more summery food than watermelon! I love that you used watermelon in both the food and the decor. The watermelon keg is such a fun idea!
Hands up I have never thought of having a watermelon party before. But hey what is more summery than watermelon? And it sounds like the perfect reason to get friends and family together.
Love it as a flower container and had never seen that done before! I have also not tried grilled watermelon-I must live in a bubble.
I love these ideas! I need to try all of them. We go through lots of watermelon over the summer.
Oh my gosh that watermelon keg is so cool!! And grilled watermelon!? What people do that! I want to try it!
I feel like I’ve been missing out! So many great ways to use watermelon!
These are fun ideas! It is nice to have some unique ways to entertain, especially when we go through a lot of watermelon in the summer. We’ve found that my kids two guinea pigs like to eat watermelon rinds 🙂
looks having a great family bonding and get together., and most interesting is the watermelon with all use., such as grill, a base and a jar., this is so knew to me and its was so great..
I need to share this post with my mom. She would love it. She tried making a basket for fruit out of a watermelon once and it was pretty much a fail. Fun ideas!!
Love and I enjoy entertaining too! I just saw on TV this morning about grilling watermelon. I never thought of it but have made a delicious watermelon salad(it’s on my blog if you want to check it out)
I want a watermelon keg! It is going to happen at my next party. Maybe a pineapple one too.
All the kegs are a must!
Absolutely love these tips! I always include watermelon and pineapple on every party! I absolutely love your summer outfit, so vibrant.
I love these watermelon ideas. The vase was brilliant IMO! I don’t host parties at my home … maybe when the kids are older. I’d love to use a few of these ideas myself 😀
I’m not sure I will be having a watermelon party, but we do eat it often enough to celebrate. My son thinks we need a watermelon everytime he sees it in the store. He eats one piece, then is content until the next store trip. These are some great ideas for using up that forgotten watermelon.
What a fun event and so many great ways to have watermelon that I had never thought of of. Yum!
I absolutely love the idea of grilling watermelon and using it in salsas during the summer months! So refreshing!
I really love the vase idea! I think it is so pretty for parties!
I agree, it’s perfect for parties and it allows you to use the whole watermelon.
Watermelon is so much fun to use as a decoration or accent. I love your ides!
Thank you!
These are such great ideas! I am so trying all of these!
I love watermelon. It’s certainly one of my favorite fruits. I love that you can use it in so many ways. I tried grilled watermelon for the first time last year and it was pretty good.
What a beautiful party theme! I love watermelon and it is so perfect for a summer party!
Watermelons are a great summer time food! These are some great suggestions. I’ve bookmarked your post.
Watermelon is our favorite, especially in the summer. I never knew some of these hacks. Great tips!
Those are such awesome ideas! The watermelon keg…that rocks! I’ve never even thought of grilled watermelon, but now I have to try it. The vase idea is super cool too!
These hacks look like so much fun. Those watermelon vases are too cute!
These ideas are amazing, top to bottom! I have never tried nor thought of watermelon salsa but I’ll definitely be making it soon. Plus grilled watermelons?? Yum! I need to try that, too. I think I’ll be using a few of your tips and ideas in the next family hangout.
I absolutely adore everything about this. I am obsessed with watermelon and all of these ideas. I am bookmarking this so I can use all of this this summer!
Okay this is spectacular! I had no idea you could do most of these things with watermelon. Clearly, I’ve been missing out! Need to use it as a pitcher and try it grilled ASAP!
Yes, give it a try!
I suddenly want to go out and buy some watermelon. I have never tried the keg idea. Is it messy? It seems like it would be messy to me. The vase idea is genius.
It’s not messy at all. It’s pretty easy to core out all of the insides. I just used a large ice cream scoop because I was making another dish but if you don’t mind larger chunks of watermelon you could use a metal spoon to scoop it out.