Don’t Head to the Pool This Summer Without These Must-Have Items

Summer is finally here, and we've bought our annual pool passes! Swimming is a great way to keep kids active in the summer months, when there's the temptation to stay inside and play video games or read all day. Now we just need to make sure we have everything to make our pool days the best.

This summer, we're keeping a pool bag in each car stocked with everything we need to go. We'll be ready for an after-camp dip any time with our bag filled with awesome pool go-tos. Here's everything you need to be ready for pool season with your family.

Swimsuits

We all need something to wear in the pool! Whether your kids like two-pieces, trunks, rash guards, or speed suits, Hanna Andersson has fun swimsuits for the whole family. We like that they last a long time and come in cute patterns with matching kids' and adults' sizes. You can even get matching cover-ups for days when it's a little chilly. Remember, the safest colors to wear at the pool are neon, and orange and yellow stand out more than blue and green.

Goggles

Most kids don't like chlorinated water in their eyes, so a good pair of goggles is key for having fun at the pool. My kids currently love Splash Place goggles. They have a stretchy cloth band instead of rubber that wraps around the back of your kid's head, preventing the hair from getting tangled in the goggle band. They also don't pinch little ears and noses as much as the stiff goggles we wore when we were kids. They're a little more expensive than typical goggles, and the look is unique, but it's worth it for the lack of complaints about goggles being too tight or getting tangled in long hair.

Puddle Jumper

Got a kid who doesn't know how to swim yet? Puddle Jumpers are going to be your friend this summer. These Coast Guard-certified personal flotation devices are easy to put on and keep your kid afloat in the pool so you can swim or teach older kids to swim. They work for kids who weigh 33-55 pounds and come in basic or deluxe, with a variety of colors and patterns to match your kids' interests (and swimsuit)! You should still teach your kid to swim, but having a Puddle Jumper allows you to rest your arms or focus on multiple kids safely.

Beach Towels

Dry off and warm up after you get out of the pool with a big beach towel! Pottery Barn Kids towels come in lots of fun designs, plus you can personalize them, so you might get them back if your child leaves them at the pool. They come in hooded or non-hooded, and they last a long time, so your kid will likely outgrow the design before it's too threadbare to use.

Sunscreen

Nothing ruins a fun day at the pool like a sunburn later in the day! Keep your little one safe from the sun with one of our favorite brands of sunscreen. Baby Bum and Babyganics are available at lots of stores and give a good combination of protection and environmental friendliness. We also like Blue Lizard for its environmental factors, but it's a little thicker and harder to apply. Remember to put it on at home before you head to the pool so it doesn't wash off!

Pool or Beach Bag

You'll want something big enough to hold all of your towels, sunscreen, cover-ups, goggles, and snacks. Plus, pick something water resistant so you're not lugging around a wet, heavy bag. These Bogg bags fit the bill! They come in lots of fun colors and have holes to drain the water after your kids slop all of their stuff into the bag. If you're in a pinch and don't want to spend $90 per bag, it's also acceptable just to find the biggest reusable grocery tote you have – we like Costco bags for secondary in the car back-ups.

Swim Diapers

If you've got a swimmer who's not potty trained yet, you'll need swim diapers to hold in anything that might slip out on your swim. Check with your local pool before you go to see what their requirements are. Not all pools accept the reusable diapers, or some require that you double up with the disposable. Pampers makes disposable swim diapers, or you can get reusable cloth swim diapers from Charlie Banana. Charlie Banana is no longer accepting online orders, but they do still sell them at certain retailers.

Swimsuit Cover-Ups

We live in Chicago, where swim season starts when it's barely 70 degrees. Our kids are cold when they get out of the pool, and they love these cover-ups from Pottery Barn Kids. They're warm and help kids get dry faster after getting out of the pool. Plus, they protect you from the sun once the sunscreen wears off!

Pool Toys

Just splashing around is fun for a while, but eventually your kids will want something to play with at the pool! A new favorite for us is these reusable Zuru Water Balloons. Just fill them with water from the pool and play a game of catch, complete with the ball draining water on you. If your pool allows noodles or floats, those can also make for additional enjoyment at the pool. We've been wanting to try out these new interlocking pool noodles next time we're at a place that allows them. Diving rings and sticks are also a fun addition to your pool bag!

Snacks

Preschoolers and toddlers will want to bring their snacks in a sturdy, covered cup, like this one from Itzy Ritzy. Along with a water bottle, a snack can make a trip to the pool last for a longer time, especially if you've got kids of multiple ages! Be sure to bring something that won't melt or get sticky in the hot weather.

So grab your gear, get your kids, and get out to the pool with all these essentials!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©BaLL LunLa/Shutterstock.com