We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
%20Will%20Need%20For%20The%20Pool%20This%20Summer&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimg-mkr.buzzfeed.com%2Fbuzzfeed-static%2Fstatic%2F2023-05%2F30%2F17%2Ftmp%2F11210bb55296%2Ftmp-name-3-1602-1685466079-3_dblbig.jpg%3Ftemplate%3Dpinterest-vertical-dots-v1%26title%3DMzEgVGhpbmdzIFRoYXQgRXZlcnkgS2lkIChBbmQgUGFyZW50KSBXaWxsIE5lZWQgRm9yIFRoZSBQb29sIFRoaXMgU3VtbWVy%26color1%3Dblack){kind=link}
1. A six-pack of "Max Liquidator" water blasters because "Max Liquidator" is very much the name you would give yourself while chasing your kids around like a Terminator whose only mission is to ensure that the children of 2023 get completely soaked. Hasta la vista, babies!
2. A set of two lightweight, foldable, adjustable lounge chair recliners for some proper sitting around the pool. The headrests are removable, as is the tray, with two built-in cup holders, a phone holder, and a tablet holder. The only problem might be getting up to go for that swim.
3. A giant gator ride-on pool float that's a summertime, pool-time classic. Includes a limited 30-day manufacturer's warranty in case you think this gator is a total "croc."
4. A UPF 50+ sun-protective, wide-brim bucket hat to keep kids' heads, faces, and necks safe from that pool-side summer sun while the drawstring keeps it secured from blowing away and getting lost. The hat also folds up for easy on-the-go storage.
5. A six-pack of durable, absorbent, but still soft striped beach and pool towels because how's it going to be the best summer if you're not drying off after a quick dip with one of these?
6. A 3-pack of flexible, soft-silicone kids' polarized sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection by filtering both UVA and UVB rays from sensitive young eyes. Plus, what kid wouldn't look cool wearing a pair?
7. A 12-pack of inflatable rainbow beach balls, so even if the kids lose a few (and they most assuredly will), you should be able to play "Keepy Uppy" whenever you're at the pool.
8. A pair of kids' non-slip, anti-skid poolside slip-on slides (not to be confused with the "Slip 'N Slide") to protect tiny bare feet while enduring an absolute beating all summer long.
9. A pool leaf skimmer net because no one can have any fun in the pool if it's teeming with bugs, twigs, leaves, or any other form of detritus that finds its way into the water. Tip: Try to convince your kids it's a classic game like Hungry Hungry Hippos or something.
10. A kid-sized, lightweight, latex-free, silicone Speedo swim cap to keep hair covered and dry without any painful snags when taking it off. Also, the contoured shape reduces drag, so if the kids don't want to wear them, just tell them the cap will make them swim faster. Facts (kind of).
11. A 110-piece mini first aid kit for any summertime boo-boos that might happen (and they will) whenever you're out with the kids at the pool. This pack has it all and should probably live in your car's glove box all year long.
12. A four-pack of easy-to-fill (and re-fill) reusable water balloons that are probably the most eco-friendly way for kids to have their next backyard, pool, or beach water balloon skirmish.
13. A tear-free SPF 50 Coppertone kids sunscreen lotion you'll want to buy in bulk, especially for those blazing summer months spent outdoors. And it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes!
14. A water-resistant Uno Splash card game to play outdoors, at the beach, in the pool, or in any location where saturation levels might be higher than normal. Doesn't make getting hit with a Wild Draw Four card any easier, though!
15. A 5-pack of pool noodles because without the pool, they're just noodles, right? Everybody's favorite flotation device, and defacto water sword is a must-have for any pool-related experience.
16. A long-sleeve, UPF 50+ kids zipper rash guard swim shirt to block "98% of all UVA and UVB cancer-causing rays" at the pool (or beach, or water park). That means no more sunburns!
17. A waterproof Earth Pak dry bag (with a waterproof phone case) for those times when you have to travel to a pool and most certainly don't want to travel back with kids wearing wet, cold clothes in the car.
18. A two-pack of Spider-Man or Bluey squirties, which the kids just squeeze, hold underwater to fill them up, and then start spraying! A super soaking? Not quite, but still plenty of good clean fun.
19. A rolling, mesh pool storage and organizer bin (on two caster wheels) to keep things nice a tidy pre- and post-pool time and for keeping all those pool noodles in order during all those non-swimming months.
20. A wide array of machine-washable Kidpik swimsuits and swim trunks (currently on sale) for making summertime super stylish for the kiddos without breaking the bank on something that probably won't fit this time next year.
21. A Melissa & Doug "Louie Lobster" claw catcher pool toy to teach the kids about the whole "catch and release" thing at an early age while helping them with their hand-to-eye coordination and dexterity.
22. A three-pack of colorful (and whimsical) inflatable pool floats for safely chillaxing in the pool (or other bodies of water). According to reviewers, these are more durable than expected and should last all summer long.
23. An extra-large, UV 50+, 15-foot patio umbrella because if you want to stay poolside all day long, you're going to need some proper cover. Just crank it open and let the lounging ensue!
24. A pair of fully waterproof but quick-drying, durable slip-on Kane Revive kids' shoes with a colorful/changeable pull-back tab to make putting them on super easy for little hands. Bonus: you can even throw these in the dishwasher!
25. An inflatable swimming pool basketball hoop set for draining those three-pointers from the deep end (Kobe!) or dunking from the most shallow of depths. Comes with the ball!
26. A splurge-worthy, durable, water- and puncture-proof Yeti Camino 35 all-Purpose tote bag that really does live up to the name of "carry-all." Stands upright, so it never lets you down and features dual interior dividers and zippered pockets.
27. A U.S. Coast Guard-approved kids life vest/jacket for children in the 30- to 50-pound range still earning their sea legs (and arms and other body parts).
28. A 4-pack of Toypedo Bandits that glide underneath the water for up to 20 feet while the kiddos give chase. These present the perfect opportunity to bore them with a thorough plot summary of "The Hunt For Red October." Dive! Dive! Dive!
29. A straight-out-of-an-'80s-sci-fi-movie Team Magnus "Incog" water blaster capable of holding 40 ounces of H2O and spraying up to 32 feet. Easy to operate and even easier to store/pack!
Amazon
For ages 5+.
Promising review: "This is a great water toy. (Gun? It doesn’t look like a gun!) But it is amazing and beats all of the water toys that I’ve purchased! I’m a diehard Super Soaker fan, and nothing on the market even comes close to what we used to get in the '90s EXCEPT this thing!!! I’m so excited for camping and our first water fight; the kids are GOING DOWN! The capacity is decent, and the water pressure is amazing." —Jessica D.
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in three colors).
30. A 2-pack of adjustable, silicone, anti-fog swimming goggles for kids to keep chlorinated water out of the eyes while keeping kids in the pool and having fun.
31. And finally, a ride-on, inflatable wave rider, because an actual Jet Ski is still many, many years and many, many arguments away. Comes with a repair patch, just in case.
Summer rules! So let's rule this summer!!!
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.