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From the best pool toys to sun safety must-haves, having the right items in your pool bag can make your summer outing smooth, safe, and fun—for everyone.

In this post, I’m sharing my tried-and-true pool day packing list for parents with young kids. Whether you're heading to the local splash pad, the beach, or your neighborhood pool, you’ll find exactly what to bring for a stress-free swim day with toddlers or babies.

Think of this as your ultimate baby and toddler swim day checklist—packed with everything from cute swimwear with UV protection and hydrating snacks, to mineral sunscreens, and the best pool toys.

01. The Best Pool Bag for Moms

MISSION Tote Bag: Let me introduce you to the hero behind it all – the best pool bag! It’s spacious (comes in 3 sizes), holds all of our stuff, sits upright, has a waterproof bottom (no soggy towels!), and it’s marine-grade mesh.

When thinking about summer bags for mom, you can’t forget about the pool bag.

When we joined the pool, I searched Amazon for the best pool bags and ordered a few to try out myself. There were a few mishaps, but I finally found THE ONE. I am convinced this is the best pool bag for moms!

02. The Best Toddler Pool Toys

The water itself is usually entertaining enough, but a few toys that squirt water and a fun kickboard to hold onto are good to have on-hand!

Melissa & Doug Kickboards: I’m a big fan of kickboards for little ones at the pool because they can help with swimming development and building confidence in the water!

Kickboards help kids learn to kick in the water while being supported and are great for beginner swimmers. These are child-sized and the shark and dolphin faces make them silly and fun for toddlers to venture into the water and start kicking!

Octopus Water Balls: Submerge them under water and then squeeze them out - water shoots out of their head from every direction!

Silicone Squirt Toys: A must-have pool toy and great for the bath and water table, too! Open them to let them dry and no mold will grow inside. WIN!

03. The Best Sunscreen for Kids

Sunscreen is considered safe in babies 6 months and older. Look for a mineral sunscreen as a lower-tox option and avoid ingredients like: oxybenzone, octinoxate, or fragrances.

ThinkKids Sunscreen Stick: I’m convinced this is one of the best sunscreens for toddlers. It’s easy to pack on-the-go!

The ThinkKids Sunscreen Stick is water-resistant, unscented, and provides SPF 30 protection for kids. It uses 20% non-nano zinc oxide as the main ingredient. The stick application is quick and painless for impatient toddlers!

This is technically two products that have become another sunscreen essential. 1. The sunscreen —

Badger Sunscreen: Rated a 1 by the EWG, this is a great, clean sunscreen option for your little one (and the whole family)! It’s made with 98% organic ingredients.

2. Don’t forget a brush applicator to make putting sunscreen on your little one easy! We love this one:

Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator: Fill the Solar Buddies Applicator with whatever sunscreen you use and roll it to apply!

If you are looking for more sunscreen & sun protection gear for your littles, these are some of our team’s favorite sunscreens.

04. Lightweight Beach Towels

Colorful Pool Towels: I love these pool towels because they’re high-quality and made from 100% cotton. Four towels fit easily in my pool bag and they hold up after plenty of washes!

05. Pool Day Snacks & Spill-Proof Water Bottles for Toddlers

When it comes to packing healthy snacks for the pool, I love individually packaged snacks so you can open it once instead of opening and closing a bag multiple times (with wet hands reaching in!) making the snack soggy.

Skout Organic Bars: Seven ingredients or less, gluten-free, vegan, and sweetened with dates, these organic bars are soft, yummy and packed with nutrients. Code “EATPLAYSAY” saves 20%!

Once Upon a Farm Pouches: Organic ingredient pouches with no added sugars, and only a few ingredients.

Momcozy Pouch Holder: These pouch holders make the pouch like a straw cup, they just hold the handles and drink!

Weesprout Snack Containers: A great option to hold snacks & I love that it’s silicone! Easy to clean, too!

Don’t forget about staying hydrated, too! These are my favorite spill-proof, travel-friendly water bottles for babies & toddlers. They keep water cold for hours on hot pool days!

best spill-proof insulated water bottles

The Klean Kanteen Straw Cup: My favorite stainless steel and silicone cup for older toddlers! The cap twists to close making it spill-proof and the design is easy to clean. It’s 12 ounces, so a good size for toddlers!

The Thermos Funtainer: This is my favorite travel cup for 9-10 months and older. It’s spill-proof when the lid is closed and more insulated and keeps drinks colder for longer with ice!