5 Essentials to Pack in Your Pool Bag for Safe Fun with Kids {Video}

We’re very lucky to have a community pool in our neighborhood and this summer we’re trying to put it to good use! My girl knows how to swim, but my 4-year-old is still learning and will hopefully be taking lessons soon. In the meantime, trips to the pool with him have to be carefully planned, so that I can help him in the water, all while also keeping an eye on my oldest. It’s usually best if my husband can come with us, but we don’t always want to wait for the weekend for our pool trips! Thankfully, I saw a puddle jumper featured in the Walmart Ad that will definitely be helping our pool trips be smoother! See how we have (safe) pool fun with the kids and my tips for packing your pool bag with the essentials!

Safe Pool Fun with Kids: What to Pack in Your Pool Bag

A trip to the pool with your kids can be a lot of fun, but it’s super important to be safe! If your kids already know how to swim, then you may be less worried about their safety in the water. However, if you have a young child that doesn’t yet know (or is still learning) how to swim, then pool safety is your top priority. Such is the case for our family, since my baby boy is not yet swimming on his own. Watch the short video below to see the pool bag essentials that I pack whenever we go swimming with the kids! Scroll down after the video for more details on each.

5 Essentials to Pack in Your Pool Bag for Safe Fun with Kids

1. Inflatables or Floating Help – Depending on the age of your child, you can pack inflatable floating arm bands, an inflatable tube, or a puddle jumper. We opted for a puddle jumper since it will help my baby boy to more freely navigate the water and stay afloat without too much of our help.

2. Sunscreen – Protecting your child’s skin is of utmost importance, so be sure to pack sunscreen in your pool bag. We like to use sunscreen that’s safe for sensitive skin since baby boy has eczema, but choose your preferred sunscreen that works for you and your family.

3. Towels – Of course, when heading to the pool, you’re going to need towels! Walmart has a varied selection of beach towels, including many character towels that are perfect for kids!

4. Goggles – I find that when wearing goggles, the kids are more willing to get their head in the water. I guess the concern of getting water in their eyes makes them hesitant, so swim goggles help them be more carefree when playing and swimming.

5. Water and Snacks – With the amount of heat we have, it’s important I keep our family hydrated. I always make sure to pack some water when making a trip to the pool. With little ones, it’s a good idea to pack a couple of snacks as well, since inevitably one or both of my kids will ask for something to eat.

6. Kickboard (optional bonus!) – With my oldest, a kickboard really helped her learn how to kick properly, without needing to worry about her arms. We’ve been using it with baby boy as well, combined with the puddle jumper to help him learn some kicking basics.

What essentials do you pack in your pool bag for a day of (safe) water fun with the kids?

All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™