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A good pool day usually comes down to the small stuff. A goggle strap that does not tug, a hat that stays on and a float everyone wants a turn on can change the whole mood.
The right gear helps younger swimmers feel comfortable in the water. It also gives parents a little more peace while they watch.
The twelve finds below range from an underwater camera and swim rings to goggles, swim caps, dive toys and a sun hat. Some are practical, some are just plain fun, and a few manage to be both. For each one we gathered the key details and what buyers report.
An Underwater Camera That Lets Kids Shoot Their Own Splash Scenes
Kids love documenting their own adventures, and this underwater camera lets them do it from inside the pool. It captures photos and 1080p video, and a 32GB card is already included.
A flip lens makes selfies easy. The waterproof case, the bright colors and the built-in frames and filters turn a regular swim into a mini photo shoot.
One buyer said their two children both received a camera before a trip to Punta Cana, and it stole the show on that vacation. Their 5-year-old daughter could use it alone with no trouble, which the buyer counted as a real perk. They also found it good-looking and simple for small hands, and they recommend it highly.
On Amazon it costs $29.59+, and it comes in five colors.
Three Inflatable Rings to Make the Pool Livelier
This set of three inflatable swim rings adds color to the pool and gets it ready for company. It suits siblings, friends or any child who would rather not wait for a turn on the float.
With three rings in the pack, nobody has to wait.
One reviewer first packed them for a trip to Hawaii and used them at the resort pools, where the kids had a blast. Back home, the rings lasted the entire season in the family pool.
The reviewer’s children are rough on their gear and swim almost every day in summer. Even so, they expect the first set to last another season, and they plan to buy three more for the kids’ Easter baskets.
Having extras is handy when friends come over. Amazon lists the pack at $16.98+, with five themes to pick from.
Goggles for Every Type of Swimmer
Goggles are hard to get right, because kids differ in what bothers them most. Here are three options, from a budget two-pack to a sparkly pair to a snag-free design.
A Budget Two-Pack You Can Adjust From the Back
Why buy one pair when two pairs of swim goggles cost less than $15? The strap adjusts from the back, which reviewers say makes a snug fit much less of a chore.
The set includes clear and tinted lenses, so it covers both indoor and outdoor swims. Each pack holds two goggles in different colors, so siblings will not argue over whose pair is whose.
One reviewer called these their all-time favorite goggles. Nearly every child who swims at their house can resize them without help.
They described the goggles as affordable but well made, with some pairs lasting three years. They are also comfortable, even for the youngest swimmers.
The price on Amazon is $12.99+, and there are 16 color combinations.
A Glam Pair for the Kid Who Loves Sparkle
A little diva who would never show up to the pool looking understated will love these bejeweled swim goggles. The lenses offer UV protection, the strap adjusts and the seal is watertight and comfortable.
Still, the sparkle is the real headline. Super Smalls sells them for $32, in four styles.
Frogglez Goggles With a Snag-Free Strap
A standard goggle strap is not for everyone, and Frogglez goggles take a different approach. Their soft split strap glides over hair rather than pulling on it.
Even small children can slip them on and tweak the fit without help. The lenses are anti-fog with UV protection, and the seal is watertight, so kids who want no fuss get a comfortable fit.
A grandparent said their granddaughter loves them. The goggles keep water out of her eyes, she can take them off and put them back on easily, and they do not slide down to her neck the way regular goggles do.
Another buyer found the back strap simple to fasten and more comfortable than a traditional one. Because it is neoprene, it does not tangle in hair, and their toddler can put the goggles on alone.
Amazon lists them at $26.98, in three colors.
A Watermelon Ball That Turns Pool Time Into a New Sport
Kids will feel like they invented a new sport with this watermelon ball. Add water and a bit of air, and the ball sinks, bounces, dribbles and passes underwater.
That is far more exciting than tossing a plain inflatable around on the surface. A hose adapter is included, so it fills in seconds and the fun comes with very little effort.
One reviewer said the family has passed the ball around casually in the pool for five years, and it is still going strong. It has been ignored for long stretches, yet it stays tough.
When no one is playing, they park it on the pool bottom, where it stays all winter. It is ready for action again whenever the family comes back.
Amazon sells it for $14.99+, with two sizes and three colors to choose from.
An Oversized Inflatable Snake for the Whole Pool Crew
This inflatable snake pool noodle is huge, and it suits siblings, cousins or any pool crew. It is big enough to turn the water into an obstacle course.
Kids can climb on it, duck under it and make a happy splashy mess of the whole pool.
Sunnylife sells it for $70.
Pool Volleyball and Basketball in One Floating Set
An ordinary pool day becomes a summer tournament with this volleyball net and basketball hoop floatie set. It packs both games together, and the balls are included.
Weighted anchor bags keep the volleyball net from drifting away.
One reviewer had a great time with it. Setting up the net took little effort, it stayed in place, and the ball is just the right size for water play.
They said it suits parties and family pool days. Target sells the set for $29.99.
Swim Caps That Come as a Pair
The first cap does the swimming, and the second is a backup for the day the first one vanishes into the pool bag. This pair of swim caps keeps hair contained and cuts down on tangles and drips after swimming.
The stretchy silicone pulls on easily, even right before a cannonball.
A parent of twins said their kids wear these four days a week. The caps were bought months ago and are still going strong.
The twins needed a few weeks to get used to the snug fit and to wearing caps at all, but they settled in. The parent called the value excellent and the durability great so far.
Amazon sells them for $8.99+, with two sizes and 13 colors and patterns on offer.
A Flamingo Float Built for Climbing Aboard
Nothing says pool day like a giant pink bird drifting across the water, and this flamingo pool float delivers one. It has sturdy handles to hold and plenty of room to climb on.
Expect it to be used right away and photographed often.
An Amazon customer said kids loved it and described it as huge and durable. They have never had problems with Intex-brand floaties, and they called it a cute addition to the pool.
The price on Amazon is $24.51.
Mermaid Dive Toys for Magical Underwater Games
Kids who want a bit more magic in their pool games will like these mermaid dive toys. Parents who dislike plastic clutter bobbing in the water will like them too.
They are low-maintenance and stylish enough not to spoil the look of your pool setup. In short, you get all the fun and no eyesore.
One reviewer found them fun and a good fit for little hands learning to play in the water and feel at ease there.
Sunnylife sells them for $20.
A Wide-Brim Sun Hat That Stays on Their Head
Chasing a hat that keeps getting flung into the pool is not relaxing. This sun protective hat comes with a wide brim and functional ties, plus an adjustable toggle to help it stay put.
It comes in plenty of cute colors, and you can personalize it for an extra sweet touch.
One reviewer said the hat protects from the sun both in and out of the water, thanks to a strap that holds it in place. They also liked that the color range makes it easy to match any swimsuit.
Ruffle Butts sells it for $16.99+, with 15 colors and patterns to choose from.
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.