There are pool days, and then there are pool days with gear so good it feels like you accidentally unlocked the deluxe version of summer.
As a mom of two young kids who spend a lot of time at the pool year-round, I have quite a bit of firsthand experience with what actually helps, what gets ignored, and what’s absolutely worth schlepping in the bag.
I’m talking about the stuff that keeps little kids safer, buys parents a little more peace, and makes the whole experience feel way more fun than hauling a bag of damp snacks and praying nobody slips, loses a shoe, or declares the day ruined because their goggles touched their eyelash weird. For active kids especially, the right accessories can make the difference between a fun day in the water and a long, soggy series of minor inconveniences.
This list is full of swim accessories that actually earn their spot in the pool bag, from water shoes and sun hats to dive toys, floats, and outdoor games that keep kids entertained long enough for you to experience a full thought. Some are practical, some are delightfully extra, and a few manage to be both.
An underwater camera
An underwater camera so your kiddos can document their own extremely important underwater business. It shoots photos and 1080p video, comes with a 32GB card already included, and has a flip lens for selfies. Between the waterproof case, the cute colors, and all the built-in frames and filters, this is the kind of thing that turns a normal day at the pool into a whole little event.
Promising review: “This kid’s waterproof camera is the real deal. Not only is it visually appealing, but it’s super easy for little hands to use. My son and daughter both received one for our trip to Punta Cana. To say this camera was the highlight of the trip would be an understatement. My 5-year-old daughter could use this product with ease on her own, which is a bonus for any parent on vacation. I highly recommend this product!” —Donald R Ames III
Get it from Amazon for $29.59+ (available in five colors).
A pack of three inflatable swim rings
A pack of three inflatable swim rings if you want something that’ll make your pool more fun, more colorful, and a little more ready for company. A smart pick for pool days with siblings, friends, or any child who prefers not to take turns when floating is involved.
Promising review: “I bought these to take to Hawaii with us. We ended up using them at the resort pools, and my kids had SOO much fun. We brought them home and used them in our pool. They lasted the entire season, which is pretty good for inflatables. My kids are rough, and they are in the pool almost every day through the summer. I’m guessing they will still be good for this season as well, but I’m buying three more for the kids’ Easter Baskets. It’s nice having extra for when friends come over.” —Lori
Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available in five themes).
A two-pack of easy-adjust swim goggles
A two-pack of swim goggles because why buy one pair when you can get two for less than $15? These are easy to adjust from the back, which reviewers say makes getting a snug fit way less annoying, and the set includes both clear and tinted lenses for indoor and outdoor swims. Each pack comes with two different-color goggles, so you can split them between siblings and not worry about your kiddos fighting over which pair belongs to who.
Promising review: “These are hands-down my most favorite goggles of all time because almost every child who has come swimming at my house can adjust the size on these independently. They are inexpensive but good quality (some have lasted three years). They are comfortable to wear and super easy to adjust, even for little swimmers.” —Brittany
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 16 color combinations).
Or a pair of very glam swim goggles
A pair of bejeweled swim goggles for the tiny diva who has no interest in showing up to the pool looking understated. These have UV-protection lenses, an adjustable strap, and a comfy watertight seal, but let’s be real, the real headline is that they’re extremely glam and so much fun.
Get it from Super Smalls for $32 (available in four styles).
Or a pair of snag-proof Frogglez goggles
Or a pair of Frogglez goggles if a standard goggle strap simply won’t do. The soft split strap is designed to glide over hair instead of yanking it. Little hands can put them on and adjust them on their own. Add anti-fog lenses, UV protection, and a watertight seal, and these feel especially great for kids who want something comfortable without a big production.
Promising review: “My granddaughter loves these goggles. They keep the water out of her eyes, and she can easily remove and replace them. They don’t slide down her head to her neck, like the regular goggles do.” —Cindy W.
“These are such great goggles. The strap on the back is easy to put on and more comfortable than a traditional strap, and since it is neoprene, it doesn’t get tangled in the hair. My toddler can put these on himself.” —Whitney
Get it from Amazon for $26.98 (available in three colors).
A watermelon ball
A watermelon ball because your kid deserves to feel like they discovered a weirdly excellent new sport. Once you fill it with water and a little air, it sinks, bounces, dribbles, and passes underwater, which is frankly much more exciting than tossing around the same old inflatable nonsense on the surface. It also fills up in seconds with the included hose adapter, so the fun-to-effort ratio here is very strong.
Promising review: “We love casually passing this watermelon with our kids in the pool. Five years later, and it’s still going strong. It’s been neglected and left for dead, and it’s resilient as can be. When we aren’t playing with it, we store it at the bottom of the pool, and it stays there all winter. It doesn’t care — it’s ready to rally when we come back.” —Sharon
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
A giant inflatable snake pool noodle
A giant inflatable snake pool noodle for siblings, cousins, or any pool crew. It’s big enough to turn the water into a whole obstacle course situation, with plenty of room for kids to climb on, duck under, and generally make a delightful splashy spectacle of themselves.
Get it from Sunnylife for $70.
A volleyball net and basketball hoop floatie set
A volleyball net and basketball hoop floatie set to turn an ordinary pool day into a full-on summer tournament. It comes with both games in one, includes the balls, and has weighted anchor bags to help keep the volleyball net from drifting off, like it has somewhere better to be.
Promising review: “So much fun! The net was easy to set up, stayed in place, and the ball is the perfect size for water play. Great for parties or family pool days.” —Hope W.
Get it from Target for $29.99.
A two-pack of swim caps
A two-pack of swim caps, because one cap is for swimming and the other is for when the first one mysteriously disappears into the pool bag void. This one will help keep hair contained, cut down on some of the post-swim tangles and drips, and the stretchy silicone material is easy to pull on before your kid cannonballs into the pool.
Promising review: “My twins wear these four days out of the week for swim. We purchased them MONTHS ago, and they’re still going strong! It took them a few weeks to adjust to the tighter fit and to wearing caps in general, but after a while, they decided they were fine. Excellent value for money, and so far, great durability!” —Ka0sNinja117
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes and 13 colors and patterns).
A flamingo pool float
A flamingo pool float, because nothing says pool day quite like a giant pink bird drifting around the water. It has sturdy handles to hold onto and plenty of room to climb aboard. This is the pool toy that’ll get used immediately and photographed repeatedly.
Promising review: “Kids Loved this!! It’s huge and durable. We’ve truly never had any issues with Intex-brand floaties. Cute addition to the pool.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.51.
Some mermaid dive toys
Some mermaid dive toys for kids who want their pool games to feel a little more magical and for parents who do not want a bunch of plastic clutter bobbling around in the water. They are wonderfully low-maintenance and look chic enough that you won’t feel they ruin the visual peace of your pool setup. All fun + no eyesore = win, win.
Promising review: “These are fun and perfect for little hands learning to play and be comfortable in the water.” —Jenna T
Get it from Sunnylife for $20.
A sun protective hat
A sun protective hat, because there is nothing relaxing about spending the entire pool day chasing down a hat your kid keeps flinging into the water. This one has a wide brim, functional ties, and an adjustable toggle to help it actually stay put. Plus, it comes in a bunch of cute colors and can be personalized for an extra-sweet touch.
Promising review: “This hat is good for sun protection in and out of the water with the strap that keeps it in place. It also comes in a range of colors to match any swimsuit.” —Suzy1
Get it from Ruffle Butts for $16.99+ (available in 15 colors and patterns).
Natalie Ross
Crafting articles that stay helpful long after their publish date is what drove me into digital editing years ago. I love the quiet connection built between a writer and a reader, and I strive to make every piece a welcoming space for curiosity.