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.
1. An inflatable unicorn sprinkler, because as the old saying goes, "You can lead a unicorn to water and you can make them spray your kids with it from their horn." Also comes with four ground stakes so this magical beast won't get knocked over.
2. 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.
3. 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 2020 get completely soaked. Hasta la vista, babies!
4. A splash pond water table that'll show the kids how to "make it rain" while playing with buckets, duck and froggy squirt toys, and spinning wheels.
5. An outdoor water spray sprinkler for showing off some real "turtle power" by spraying, twirling, and whirling water up to eight-feet (depending on the water pressure). Fits all hose types thanks to an extra connector (included).
6. An inflatable kiddie pool that you're just going to have to test out yourself. You know, to make sure it's safe and the water is just right...for the kids. Of course. Right. For the kids. Yeah.
7. A Little Tikes "3-In-1 Triple Splash" T-ball set (T-Ball, pop-up launcher, and splash T-ball modes), because your throwing arm is dead tired, there's no bullpen to call in a relief pitcher, and it's too damn hot. Comes with three balls.
8. A five-pack of classic foam pool swim noodles for fun at the pool, beach, or lake. And of course, they double as light sabers that do a minimal amount of damage (as long as they're still used outdoors).
9. A baby spring float with canopy to safely introduce your really little ones to the water thanks to an adjustable harness and a canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection.
10. A pack of 420 self-sealing rapid-fill water balloons so you'll never have to fumble with tying every single tiny balloon and bursting half of them in the process. We have now reached the height of water balloon warfare.
11. A giant gator ride-on pool float that's a summertime, water-adjacent classic. Includes a limited 30-day manufacturer's warranty in case you think this gator is a total "croc."
12. A 360-degree floating pool basketball hoop which will require almost every shot to be "nothing but net" but will also bring much deeper meaning to the word "dunk."
13. An inflatable Poké ball to bounce around the beach or the backyard. Maybe go for the four-pack so your kids won't bug you with the whole "gotta catch em all" thing for the rest of the summer.
14. A three-in-one sprinkler, splash pad, and wading pool so toddler can learn their ABCs and animals while splashing about in the comfort of the backyard.
15. A Zuru X-Shot fast-fill water blaster that makes reloading with H2O easier than ever. Sprays water 30+ feet too!
16. 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.
17. A Little Tikes "Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark" water table to help develop some motor skills with a crank turn Ferris wheel that scoops and drops balls that look like aquatic characters and squirt water.
18. A beach tent and kiddie pool for potentially introducing your child to the "Jonah and the whale" story or, you know, just safely chilling in the shade poolside.
19. A Regalo extra large portable play yard with ventilated mesh walls and a nylon bottom for easy clean up which allows parents with kids of varying ages to multi-task. Toddlers can run around (and you can run after them) while the less-mobile ones can still play safely near the water.
No matter the pool or body of water, make sure your kids are safe while playing and that they learn to always ask this very important question...
