What’s In My Pool Bag

This summer, we've been spending a ton of time at the pool - as we usually do every year. It's one of my favorite activities, especially when I can just relax with a good book. However, with two kids now, our pool adventures have taken on a slightly different flavor compared to a few years ago. 

 On our initial visits to the pool this year, it seemed like it took us longer to get everyone ready than the actual time we spent enjoying the pool. Let's face it, kids require a lot of stuff! So, in an attempt to minimize our "get ready" time and maximize our pool time, I came up with a solution. I started keeping our pool bag packed with most of our supplies, so we just have to throw in a few essentials and we're good to go. 

This simple change has made our trips to the pool less stressful and reduced the time it takes for us to get there. To help you make the most of the remaining summer days, I've put together a comprehensive list of everything that I keep in my pool bag. 

Wherever possible, I've included links to the products I consider essential for my pool bag. As an Amazon Associate, I do earn a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your support, no matter how big or small, is always greatly appreciated. 

XL Tote Bag 

One of our absolute must-haves for the pool is a giant pool bag. We bought ours several years ago, and it has proven to be one of the best and most frequently used purchases we've made. This bag is incredibly spacious and can fit everything we need. When we first got it, I had concerns that it might be too big, but now that we have two kids and all their gear to carry, I realize that no pool bag can ever be too large. Another great feature of this bag is that it's soft, allowing it to be folded up and packed for travel. We even had ours monogrammed to make sure it never gets misplaced. 

Swim Diapers 

Swim diapers are a permanent fixture in our pool bag. We always change the kids into their swim diapers when we arrive at the pool since these diapers are designed to only hold solids. It's reassuring to know that we always have plenty of extras on hand, and it's something we don't even have to think about. 

Toddler Life Jacket 

For my son's safety, we always keep a toddler life jacket in our bag. Most of the pools we visit have a shallow area for kids, or my husband and I will hold my son in the deeper areas so he can practice jumping in. However, I'm grateful to have the life jacket with me at all times, just in case it's needed in unexpected circumstances. 

Baby Float 

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of my infant, we have a baby float that we also keep in the pool bag (although once inflated, it won't fit anymore). My little one loves the float, and it provides a nice change of pace from constantly having to hold her in the pool. I like this particular one because of the sun shade.  

Baby Bum Roll-On Sunscreen 

Sunscreen is an absolute must, so I always keep an entire bag of sunscreen in my pool bag. This way, I never have to worry about forgetting it because it's always packed. We've always been fans of the Sun Bum brand, and this year we discovered their roll-on option, which has become our favorite for both the kids and ourselves. I appreciate being able to see where I'm applying the sunscreen with the roll-on, ensuring that I don't miss any spots. Plus, it's less messy than typical lotions. 

Green Toys for Pool  

We've been to the pool countless times with other parents who "forgot" to bring pool toys. For our toddler, simply swimming will only keep him occupied for so long until he wants some toys to play with. This window of playing by himself gets even shorter when he sees other kids playing with toys. To avoid any disappointment, we always keep special pool toys in our bag. We particularly love the brand Green Toys because they are great quality and perfect for water play. Since my son only gets to play with them at the pool, they have become an extra exciting treat. 

Diapers and Wipes 

In addition to swim diapers, we include regular diapers and wipes in our pool bag. These are necessary for any accidents that may occur. Before leaving the pool, we usually change the kids into fresh regular diapers since pool diapers only hold solids. Typically, we'll just have them wear the diaper on the way home since we give them a bath as soon as we get back. 

A game-changing tip I learned from another mom a few years ago is to keep diapers, wipes, and a changing pad in a separate smaller bag within the diaper bag. This has made a world of difference for us! The smaller bag is easy to grab whenever our kids need a diaper change while we're out and about, whether it's at a restaurant or even on an airplane. Having the diapers and wipes in this separate bag makes it convenient to throw them into the pool bag before heading out the door for a swim. 

WeeFarers Children Sunglasses 

Surprisingly, both of my kids actually keep their sunglasses on (at least this particular pair). I always keep a pair for each of them in my pool bag in case they want to wear them while playing in the shallow area or even just for the journey home. 

Wide Brim Swimwear Sun Hat 

Sun protection is paramount at the pool, so in addition to sunscreen, I always encourage my kids to wear a hat. This is especially important for my infant, who doesn't go underwater. We really like this hat with a wide brim because it provides excellent sun coverage 

YETI Water Bottle 

Do toddlers ever go anywhere without their water bottles these days? We always bring my son's water bottle to the pool, and we love his YETI bottle because it keeps his water cold even in the scorching heat. We also had it monogrammed with his name, which helps us avoid losing it. 

Snack Spinner 

We recently purchased this snack spinner during Prime Day, and my son absolutely loves it! We always pack some sort of snack for the pool, and this spinner is easy to fill up and provides some entertainment, enticing him to take a break from swimming and to eat something. 

Hooded Beach Poncho Towel  

While it's essential to pack towels for the whole family in your pool bag, a hooded poncho towel for my toddler has been a game changer. First off, he loves it! The poncho design makes it super convenient to dry him off and change him out of his bathing suit. Typically, we switch him into a regular diaper, and then he rides home in the towel and his shark slides, which he might love more than his towel! 

So, that’s what is in my pool bag! Most of these things we have in there at all times which makes the process easy for getting out the door and maximizes our time actually swimming instead of just getting ready for the pool. I hope you enjoy your last few months of pool days this summer! XXX McKenzie