Here’s a peek into the items I keep in our pool bag to give you ideas of things to keep in your yours – so you’re always prepared and ready to splash!
The last time I did a “what’s in our pool bag” we had a baby. Now we have two big boys!
I have so many childhood memories of going to the pool as a child: popsicles, pringles (!), laying my towel down on the hot cement and feeling the warmth come through, playing sharks and minnows and the color game. Going under water when my mom said it was time to leave so she would think I didn’t hear her – MY KIDS NOW DO THIS TO ME!!
I pack our pool bag back up the minute we get home from the pool so it’s ready to go the next time we need it. (Well actually I usually wash our towels first, and then re-pack it!) These are the basics we keep inside so we’re always ready to dash out the door.
What’s In Our Pool Bag!
Scout BJ Bag
It’s huge and has great pockets (six total) and mostly waterproof. I’ve had it since 2017 and it’s showing almost no signs of wear and tear. I give it a good hose down at the end of the season (especially after beach trips). I used to have a mesh bag that sand would fall out of, but I found that sand got IN through the mesh more than it came out! I’ve been so happy with this Scout bag over the years.
Wet bags (set of 3)
These are great for wet suits or towels or just storing smaller things. I will often bring our dry clothes in the biggest one so we can carry that to the changing room and then we can put our wet suits and towels back inside to carry home. That way the entire pool bag doesn’t get soaked!
Beautycounter sunscreens
A stick for kids faces, sheer for mom face, a mist for bodies, and a lotion for all-purpose. Read all about my favorites in this post!
Kid goggles
Found these in a two-pack on Amazon, and we’ve bought several more sets over the years for Mazen. And I use these little kid goggles for Birch!
Turkish Towels
I bought this set of 6 and LOVE them. They take up so much less space, and we always have more than we need rolled up in the bag. They are so easy to wear too!
From Etsy! I love Turkish towels for being so lightweight and easy to pack. This is also great because I can take off his wet swimsuit and put on dry clothes while he’s mostly under a towel.
Neon rash guards
Easily spot your kids across the pool deck (or while swimming, if they are good swimmers or with the other parent) by only buying bright neon rashguards! I love green.
Popsicle Sleeves
They are awesome to keep hands from freezing when you get freezie pops at the pool! Koozies for pops. I keep two in the pool bag. And can koozies for the grownups.
Swim Vest
I’ve had this attractive looking puddle jumper for years now! I can’t seem to find the black and white one we have, but this brand has some cute ones. Love that it doesn’t have a cartoon on the front : – )
Kohv sunglasses
I have a bunch of pairs and love that they are great looking and polarized and not $200 so if I break or scratch them it’s not the end of the world.
Water bottles with Ultima Packets
We love Thermoflask bottles! I have this two-pack for the kids. And Ultima is my favorite electrolyte powder. I keep packs in the bag for days when I need extra hydration.
Because summertime! Put in reg or NA wine/beer!
Roll-up Sun Visor
This visor lives in my pool bag so I am never caught without personal shade. It’s top knot friendly, and velcros in the back. I get it wet all the time and it dries well. It even rolls up for easy travel.
My favorite sun hat
This hat rocks for a “cooler” look. Requires a low pony, but is so cute! I’ve never been a hat person, but I live in this all summer.
Reusable Water Balloons
These are MY THING this summer! They are great for water balloon fights, but my kids also love them for playing with in the pool and the bath. It’s so great that there are no balloon pieces to clean up so they are drain friendly, require no cleanup, and not a choking hazard.
Summer Mae Swimsuit
While The Maria by Albion Fit is my favorite suit, this dupe is much less expensive and the same style! Check out this post for all my black one-piece swimsuits and this post for the best summertime athleisure. Add a Cruz rashguard and Bali shorts for my coverup!
KIND Bars + Goldfish
I stocked up on these for summertime after they gave me a promo code to use when shopping directly from the KIND site! Get 20% off your purchase with the code KATHEATS! Of course every pool bag needs some goldfish crackers!
Hand sanitizer
BLOOPER!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
It’s been so long since I’ve been to the pool! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika says
We can’t go to the pool without toys. My son likes to bring a ball or two and sinking rings for me to throw in for him. My daughter brings dolls, cups, watering can, mermaids and squirting toys.
Kath Younger says
Good addition!! We have some skipper balls that we toss that were at dad’s house, and usually there are tons of toys there to play with but not since COVID began.
Elizabeth says
You are so good at organization! Would love suggestions for bags to use this fall for moms. I feel like I need something washable that has pockets to separate dirty masks from clean etc. Also any organization ideas you have for a mudroom /backpack/clean and dirty mask station for our houses as we head into school in times of pandemic!
Kath Younger says
I would recommend getting some wet bags like these to use for dirty masks! They are usually for dirty diapers or baby clothes but would work well for any dirty things.
Amber says
Bring along baby powder for beach trips. It dusts the sand right off of your skin. I have a small can that lives in my bag and it’s a lifesaver.
M says
When you wash the towels, doesn’t the fringe get tangled? That seems impractical, although the towel looks like it would be great. Thanks.
Kath Younger says
We haven’t had a problem with that yet or at least haven’t noticed.