How to Pack The Perfect Family Pool Bag

We bought this one years ago from One Step Ahead (may they rest in peace). But the LL Bean boat tote is durable, although it is cotton canvas. We love Lands End, as well, and this vinyl tote is cute, but we’d need some pouches to keep everything organized.

So many families we know use a Thirty-One All In Organizer and, while the selections are great, it is a little too large for our comfort level.

Start by deciding what type of fabric you prefer, a price tag, how many pockets you require, and then pick a print. Target, of course, offers fun options every season, too.

Trying to determine which sunscreen to get is complicated. Not having sunscreen is life-threatening; having the wrong sunscreen can also cause health hazards (apparently). But the information changes every year. Here is where come out: we keep spray screens away from our children and only use on ourselves when we are solo (as Uncle Dan says, “spray sunscreen was made for single dudes”).

For our faces, we use Neutrogena or Beautycounter. For our bodies, the children always receive SPF50 (sometimes us parents will bump down to SPF30).

If you have a child who can not swim or is not comfortable in the water, do not fool around. Water, of course, can be fun but it can also be incredibly dangerous. Remember that you are the parent, and you win the battles that matter.

The puddle jumper revolutionized pool days for us when they came out. Not only are they safe and tested, but they hold the child properly upright, allowing them some wonderful freedom. We never had to convince our sons to use these.

If you are looking to up your pool game, bringing a fun float or two for the kids can increase hours (or minutes) of enjoyment. But unless the pool is in your backyard, you will be inflating and deflating these each trip. So stay away from that giant unicorn float and pick something you can successfully blow up without passing out.

Dive toys keep the kids occupied for hours once they become comfortable swimmers. Torpedos are a must, as are pool rings. But we have also had a lot of fun with lightsabers and pirate coins (we have boys).

We have tried a lot of different goggles, but our favorites are the Speedo Kids’ Skoggles. They stay on well, last a long time, and form a great suction so we hear few complaints of leaking. They also come in some fun colors.

With goggles, you either invest in a good pair once or buy three cheap ones through the season.

We generally opt for raisins, roasted almonds (the kids prefer salt) and grapes poolside. When in season, fresh watermelon and cantaloupe cubes are perfect on a hot summer day. Go for healthy foods that nourish them for more under-the-sun play.

This is our top recommendation – the thing you really need but probably haven’t thought of.

We have post-pool towel ponchos handmade out of old towels, using a tutorial like this one. But they are available for purchase, too. These have been incredibly wonderful to have and something we ensure are on us, especially at the beach (post on beach gear later). Chilly little bodies can stay warm in these, especially if we need to run an errand, and are more convenient than trying to fully change or hold a wet towel around a squirming body.

We made our own wet sacks using a tutorial, but having a place to put the wet swimsuits after a long day in the sun (or a short one) is a big key to success. The boys put on their towel robes and shorts, and the suits go into the wet sack. You can purchase wet sacks if sewing does not bring you joy.

It is necessary to have a place to store the cell phone, wallet or cash, hairbrush and keys while at the pool. Someplace waterproof and easily accessible is nice.

These see-through pouches from Amazon are clear and waterproof (which also makes them great for travel).

If you are crafty, these see-through purse pouches from The Homes I Have Made are perfect for the pool bag. They are also customizable and easy to make.

We usually have hats for ourselves, too.