Pool Must-Haves for Families: Our Favorite Pool Floats, Toys & Accessories
We’re heading into our 8th summer since our pool was built, and over the years we have truly tried it all—floats, goggles, pool toys, games… you name it.
Some things lasted one weekend. Some caused constant complaints. And a few have become absolute pool-season staples that we buy again and again or use year after year.
If you’re getting ready for summer and want the pool items that are actually worth it, here are some of our family favorites!
1. Pool Saddles – Our Favorite Adult Float
If I had to pick one must-have for adults, it would be these pool saddles:
Perfect for:
Floating while kids swim
Cooling off without fully lounging
Holding a drink and relaxing
Quick breaks between cannonballs and chaos
Unlike bulky rafts, these are easy to store and have lasted us multiple seasons. Great to sit on the ledge of the pool when you have had enough of the water but don’t want to snag your swimsuit! The kids love them too, but I’d say they’re best for older/bigger kids since they’re easier to balance on.
Big bonus: Ours have lasted multiple seasons, which is huge when it comes to pool gear.
2. Baby Float with Shade
This baby float has been fantastic for us.
Why we love it:
SPF sun shade
Attached toys for entertainment
Easy to pack for vacations
Grab and go when headed to different pools
Bonus points because it folds up easily and doesn’t take over the garage.
Whether we’re going to another pool, heading on vacation, or just tossing it in the car, it packs up easily without taking up a ton of space!
3. Foam Pool Floats
We’ll always love a classic pool noodle, but these foam noodle floats take things to the next level.
Why kids love them:
Easy to climb on
Great for jumping and balancing
No constant inflating
Hours of entertainment
Why parents love them:
Durable
Easy to store
Last multiple summers
Making sure we have enough of them for everyone is the biggest challenge! The kids can play with them for hours, which automatically makes them worth it.
4. Goggles That Don’t Cause Meltdowns
Let’s talk goggles. There are SO many options out there, but in our house we judge goggles by two things:
How often they fog up
How many meltdown they cause
And these? Almost neither of the above.
Why they’re a favorite:
Minimal fogging
Less leaking
Comfortable fit
Great for swim lessons and play
Plus they come in tons of colors, so each kid gets to pick their favorite every summer. This will be our first summer with one of my kids having longer hair, so I can’t fully speak to tangles yet- but so far they’ve been a win!
5. Diving Toys for Stronger Swimmers
We’ve officially entered the diving toy phase, and the kids are obsessed.
Once your swimmers are confident underwater, diving toys become a must. The variety that comes with this assortment accommodates a variety of ages and swimming capabilities.
We love sets with multiple options, but the rings are always the biggest hit (we finally got to use them last summer!)
Great for:
Swim practice
Underwater confidence
Pool games
Burning energy
6. The Ultimate Splurge: Floating Sun Ledge
Okay… this one is definitely the splurge.
There are several versions on Amazon (linked here based on reviews), but we have the SunChill float, and it is AMAZING.
The ones on Amazon appear to be the same and have great reviews!
The kids use it for:
Playing games
Jumping off
Catch
Pirate adventures
Rolling around
Lounging
We don’t have a diving board or slide, so this has become our all-in-one summer fun zone. And the best part? Everyone fits!
I’m not an affiliate of SunChill, I just genuinely love it enough to mention it. Zero regrets with this purchase!!
Final Thoughts
Between sports schedules, friends coming over, and long summer days at home, our pool gets a lot of use. That means we want pool toys and gear that actually last, keep kids entertained, and make summer easier. These are the items that have truly earned permanent spots in our summer setup.
If you’re getting your pool ready for the season, start here!
Affiliate Disclosure As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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