11 Pool Essentials every Toddler Mom Needs!

Every mom needs pool essentials when headed out for the day. Here are the top pool essentials I take when headed for a pool day with my kids.

 

Does the thought of taking young babies and toddlers to the pool make you a nervous wreck?!

 

I know it did me, all that water and our littles have no idea the dangers of it! I spent over 10 years as a lifeguard through high school, college, and even after I started teaching and taught many children how to swim over the years. The pool has always been my favorite place from the sun, to the water, to the memories made with friends.

 

 

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Before we get started on my pool must-haves when taking young toddlers to the pool, I need to say that pool safety should always be our number 1 priority when at the pool. Parents are always the first line of defense & we must always be watching when at the pool. If you haven’t done so already its always a great idea for all kids to have some basic swim lessons.

 

Despite my love and comfort level with the pool going as a mom is a completely different experience. This is something that has taken me a while to get comfortable with (especially after having my second son). I knew I had to learn how to do it because the pool had always been a huge part of my life. I have learned a few things that are must-haves when taking my little ones to the pool. Hopefully, with these tips and essential items, you can have fun, be safe, and make memories with your kids at the pool all summer long! 

 

This article is about all the things someone with a child ages 1-5 needs when they head to the pool.

 

Sunscreen

 

I put sunscreen on myself and my kids every time we go outside. Occasionally I just do it in the morning, as part of our routine. Especially if I know we will be outside a lot during the day! It has become such a routine that even at 14 months old my little guy will put out his arms and start showing me to rub it in as soon as he sees the bottle!

 

We use a stick form of sunscreen (like the one I have linked for you below) on their faces and they let me do it without a fuss! Don’t forget their ears and neck. To protect their arms and legs I use Aveeno which is developed for their sensitive skin.

 

 

Snacks

 

As a mom of toddlers, we all know not to leave the house without snacks! I found reusable zip lock bags that are lined for the freezer. We keep them in the freezer and then before leaving I pull them out and fill them with blueberries, granola bars, or yogurt pouches. We also love snack cups which are great for cereal, crackers, and other dry snacks. This is perfect if it is just going to be the 3 of us for a short period of time an hour or 2.

 

However, if I know that we are meeting friends or family at the pool we make sure to pack a larger size snack (like a box of cheese crackers, graham crackers, or a big container of fruit) to make it shareable among friends and family. 

 

 

Water Bottles

 

We don’t go many places without water bottles, and the pool is definitely no exception! I love the Contigo Water bottles for my boys.

 

They are easy enough that my kids can use them without help, they keep drinks cold, have a handle so I can clip them to the stroller, have a wide mouth for easy filling, and probably best of all they are dishwasher safe! For me, I prefer a stainless steel option with a handle to clip it on the stroller.

 

Depending on how long I’m planning for our stay to determine what size of bottle I take. If we plan to be there for a few hours, I’ll take my larger one to use to fill up their bottles if they run low. 

 

 

Toys

 

We have a bucket of small toys that always comes with us. I try not to rotate them too much so I can remember what is ours. I also keep the number of toys we take small so I don’t forget any.

 

We currently have a squeezable frog, duck, cups, small plastic cars, a ball, and a book that is meant to go in the bathtub. We put them all in a bucket that hangs right on the stroller using a clip (do you see a theme here?!).

 

They provide lots of extra playtimes and help teach life skills like pouring. The ball allows them to work on gross motor skills like throwing and tossing. They can work on fine motor skills by squeezing the frog to fill it up with water and squeezing it again to get the water out.

 

Then there is my 1-year-olds favorite activity taking everything out of the bucket and putting it back in the bucket. This set is PERFECT!

 

Diapers/Baby Wipes

 

This is a given but we love swim diapers. We use baby wipes for a number of things at the pool! When my babies are small (before a year old) we use reusable cloth diapers at the pool (I LOVE iPlay). But when they are a year or over I love the regular swim diapers. We also take extra regular diapers to change into dry clothes before leaving the pool to come home.

 

My favorites are the baby rompers for age 2 and under. I take off his rash guard (more on this later) and snap up his romper. Then that leaves me with changing his diaper underneath the bottom of his romper. It’s quick, easy, and effective! This makes getting him dry for the drive home or walking in the stroller a breeze. 

 

Stroller

 

I always take the stroller into the pool with me. It gives me a place to put the toys, towels, bags, and other things we need. Plus it’s a great place for me to put my 1-year-old while I am tending to my 3-year-old.

 

My kids have also both been known to take naps at the pool in the stroller … now THAT is a mom win! Don’t forget your mommy hook, it is KEY to helping you load up & give you extra storage!

 

Shoes

 

I’ll be the first to tell you that this could be debatable depending on your pool, but I have always allowed my kids to wear their shoes in the pool. The pool we visit has a splash pad and this has saved a number of stubbed toes. With a toddler that goes from the pool to splash pad and back, it makes things way easier.

 

We use Stride-Rite Surprize rubber sandals from Target for age 1 (you will find them in the baby aisle). Then switch to Natives at age 2. My kids live in their sandals all summer long, so although it might seem like a lot to spend on shoes for us it is worth it!

 

Protective Wear

 

I’m a big fan of protecting their skin as long as I can! We use SPF clothing and rash guards for both of our boys.

 

I also recommend hats for your little ones. My boys will wear their baseball hats after age 1 before that I can put cute sun hats on them! Ruggedbutts makes great baby and toddler hats and swimwear for the pool

   

Towels

 

This may be a given, however, I take 3 and use them for all sorts of things. I use one to spread out on the ground to sit together and one to sit on the side of the baby pool (to help my swimsuit out …).

 

I also use them as a changing pad in the bathroom, as a screen for quickly changing them, and to dry them off before getting them dressed. 

 

Wet/Dry Bag

 

This bag is always packed in our pool bag with extra clothes, diapers, and wipes. Then before we leave the pool I throw their wet swimsuits right in the wet part of the bag. I love my wet/dry bag and it is definitely essential in my pool bag! 

 

Well, there you have it! Those are my TOP essentials for pool day around here!

 

Let me know if you try out any of these products or have any of your own great tips for tackling the pool with toddlers!

 

Have fun and be safe! 

 

 

Love, Ashley E

 

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