How to have a foam party at home
What is a foam party?
A foam party is just like a regular party but guests are surrounded by foam. Since it's a party you'd probably want drinks and music. A foam party can be different and fun.
Where to get a foam machine?
It's probably best to hire one from a local supplier. You don't have to have a machine to create foam but you may find this less messy and easier.
A new foam machine could cost anywhere between $600-2,000 so you probably wouldn't want to buy one just for one party.
You need a special solution for foam. It needs to be non toxic and safe for people with allergies.
Regular shampoo and soap isn't suitable as it can hurt if it gets in people's eyes.
If you have D.I.Y. skills you can make your own foam machine, the average cost would be $300USD.
Indoor party
You probably wouldn't want an indoor party unless you have a garage you can use and have the foam away from the electrical outlets. You can use non toxic plastic to cover outlets.
You would want to ensure that your floor doesn't have any cracks. Some cracks you could seal with duct tape. You may want to put plastic sheets down for extra protection. You can put them on the walls too.
Outdoor party and weather
If you can only hold your party on grass you may still want to put plastic sheets down. This can make your bubbles last longer.
Water can dissolve foam so you wouldn't want to have a foam party if it is raining.
If it is too windy the foam may blow away. The ideal condition for a foam party would be a calm hot day.
Plastic sheets
If you're holding a foam party indoors duct tape can be put around the edges of the plastic sheet to secure it on the surface.
Objects
Foam can easily cover objects such as gnomes. You may want to move them out of the foam area so they don't break. Doing this could prevent injuries too.
Foam pit
You can have a foam pit or let the foam go free in your area. I would personally try to have the foam in a specific area to make things easier.
A foam free area could be useful for eating or playing games. People could also check their phones in this area.
Also it could be possible that some people want to party but partying in foam isn't for them. A foam free area would be a good alternative.
Going to other areas of your property
You may want to tell guests that if they go to other areas of your property like the bathroom they must clean the foam off and dry themselves. Doing this will hopefully limit the mess to a specific area.
Sober attendee
You may want to have a sober attendee at the main entry point of your house. They can ensure that people are dry when they enter.
If you have multiple entry points you could consider just having one unlocked to make it easier to monitor people entering your home.
Rooms
If the rooms have locks you may want to use them to limit people's movement inside your home. If you don't have a sober attendee on the door it's possible someone will forget to dry themselves and enter random rooms with foam on them. Locking doors can be a good security measure even if foam isn't involved.
Music and Electronics
Have all electronics away from the foam. Keep all foam in one areas away from speakers etc. If you get a DJ they probably wouldn't want their system near the action.
DJs can be expensive so may be better off with a playlist. You would want to position speakers away from the foam but still in a position where people hear the music. However this could disturb your neighbors so you need to use your own judgment. Perhaps you can host your party earlier in the evening to cause them less of a disturbance.
Disco lights including wires also need to be positioned away from the foam.
Storage area for electronics and clothes
The foam can also damage phones iPods, tablets and other similar equipment. Tell your guests to leave their devices in a specific area and that you're not responsible for any damage if they ignore your instructions.
People may want to store their clothes in the same area.
Blankets and towels
You may want to tell people to bring blankets as they could be useful to keep warm on the ride home.
People may want to bring a towel to dry themselves off.
Clean up
You can use a hose with regular water to dissolve the foam or you can wait for a day for it to dissolve naturally. You will probably want to remove any plastic from the area too. If you covered electrical outlets you can uncover them when your area is dry.
You can hire a company to clean up, that may be an easy option.
Decorations
Most decorations wouldn't work well around foam. Electronic decorations like party lights could be dangerous if foam gets near them.
You could still have decorations in rooms away from the foam. If your foam pit is in the back you could decorate your front door.
Invitations
A picture of foam on the invitations would be great.
If it is typically fine where you are you may want a big white "FOAM PARTY!" title surrounded by a blue background.
It may be helpful if you list the items that you want them to bring on them. Example items include drinks, a towel and a blanket.
Drinking and eating
You may want to get some plastic cups and plates as accidents may happen. Glass cups and bottles can be prone to breaking and would be difficult to clean up on foam. You may want to get a cooler, view the best coolers for parties.
You can also let people eat in another area.
Skidding and sliding
Even though that skidding and sliding can be fun it's probably best not to allow these activities. People can not only hurt themselves but they could hurt other people if they slide into them. Objects can also be covered in foam and this could be an additional hazard.
Bouncy castle
You can put foam in a bouncy castle; this can also be fun for adults.
The advantage of this is people can fall on a soft surface. You probably want to limit the number of people in the bouncy castle otherwise people could be falling over each other.
Accessibility
A foam party may not be appropriate for electric wheelchairs however maybe they can come in a manual wheelchair. Depending on the person they may want to be just outside the party area but most would probably want to be in the foam.
Some people with soap allergies may not want to come to the party. If you have a foam free area and you make it clear that this is an option then they may feel comfortable coming.
Read more about how to make a house party accessible.
What to wear to a foam party?
People should wear shoes that can cope with a wet surface, for example crocs. Flip flops are not good with foam.
Bare feet probably isn't the best idea either as some people can slip on wet surfaces.
Rome in the Foam
This is an alternative party combining Foam and Toga parties. People will wear a sheet similar to the ancient Greeks. Read more about Toga parties.
If you can't hold it at home
You'll need to find a venue. Check if the venue will allow foam parties and if the dance floor is water resistant.
A company that offers foam machine hire would probably know good venues to host your foam party.
House vs. venue
The advantages of holding are there's no risk of water damage to your place and there can be less work to do.
The disadvantages are it would generally cost more and people can't bring their own alcohol.
Thanks for reading
I hope that you have a great foam party!