Wild and Sweet

Where I live in the Southern USA, pool season is fairly long, lasting from May to September! We don’t have a pool at home… but are in the water plenty… visiting relative’s pools, a community pool, a nearby lake, water parks, and we even try to make it to the beach once a year.

I have two active boys, which means entertainment in the water is key. The youngest just began swimming so he can finally keep up with his brother. I’ll list their favorite pool toys below:

These diving toys come with a great variety of shapes and sizes plus a durable storage bag!

This chest of gems looks like a real pirate treasure. The chest and its latch itself are great quality and the gems really shine in the sun.

We love frisbee, so when I was looking for a ball to throw in the pool I grabbed this one. It comes in a pack of two and its a lot of fun!

My pool bag is a large tote I got years ago from Wal-Mart. Here is a similar option with outside pockets. I find that the structured bags don’t hold as much and are uncomfortable to carry on your shoulder.

Inside my pool bag:

-rolled up towel for each person

-sunscreen variety (see below) and bug spray

-goggles for each kid

-my sunglasses in their case

-wallet, keys, phone in outer pocket

-pool toys pictured above

-baseball hat for each person (I wear mine continually)

-library book or Kindle (if their dad is with us and I can relax!)

-I also carry my cooler bag with snacks and drinks

-if we’re at the beach I’ll add some sand digging toys and trucks
(plus beach chairs and my Shore Shade canopy in my wagon)

If they want to bring a float, they have to carry it. I try to limit everything to one tote bag and then the cooler bag. We don’t bring a change of clothes, since my boys don’t mind riding home in their swimsuits to change if we are close by.

I’ve tried lots of sunscreens over the years and here are my favorites.

Ulta MD (not pictured) (dermatologist recommended) for faces and it does not burn eyes . I wear this on my face year round.

-This stick for kids’ faces since it’s easy to apply and also does not burn their eyes

– I love this one from Wal-Mart since its so easy to spread and works very well

-If you prefer a spray for the body, this one is great and I love the beachy smell.

Typically I’ll do their faces, ears, and neck with the stick or Ulta MD and then spray their arms and legs. We always have the kids in a neon green swimshirt for added sun protection and visibility, see photos above.

Lastly, these are the water shoes for kids we love! They are easy to get on and off plus they protect their toes while walking around and don’t flop off their feet like sandals can.

We did a couple years of week long swim lessons, but honestly, just like potty training, they don’t swim until they are ready. Goggles really helped with my youngest, who refused to get his face wet for the longest time. Before they swam, I had them in swim vests like this one instead of puddle jumpers. I just liked the vests better and was more comfortable with those. Plus their arms are free to actually do the swimming motion.

Mindset: swimming with kids or being around the water is not a relaxing time for parents. It just isn’t. It is tiring to be on alert for safety all the time. Use the after water screen time later on for your relax time!!

Don’t forget to hydrate 🙂

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