It’s finally pool season. Can I get a woo hoo! Here in Ohio the pools won’t open for another two weeks, but we’re getting our bag packed now. So while we’re planning, I thought I’d share with you 10 essentials I pack in our pool bag, as well as the swimsuits I chose for my boys this year and why.
First off, 10 things I pack in my pool bag:
1. Towel – let’s start with the obvious. I store clean towels ready to go in our beach bag. Target has some very fun and colorful beach towels this year.
2. Sunscreen – another obvious one but so important! I try to put sunscreen on my boys before we leave the house. It never fails that they run for the pool immediately leaving me yelling… I mean calling… at them from the side of the pool to come back and put on sunscreen.
3. Swim shirt – say what you want, but we wear swimshirts. It’s less about modesty (which I’m all for) and more about that beautiful skin getting damaged.
4. Sunglasses – I used to buy expensive shades… until I sat on a really nice pair… now I get two super cute and much less expensive pairs at Target each year. I keep one in the car and one in my pool bag. ;)
5. Pool toys – we take water guns, balls, and dive toys with us. Our pool has huge slides, a lazy river, diving area, etc… but it never fails that they want to play “games” with their friends!
6. Flip flops – the thought of my kids running to the bathroom barefoot gives me the creepy crawlies so we take flip flops every time and if we forget them we go home and get them. Eeek!
7. Goggles – I’m blessed that my boys are good swimmers, but they both love goggles. They say the googles make them faster underwater so needless to say, they’re a must have for the pool bag.
8. Snacks – we can eat lunch 10 minutes before we leave and my kids will be hungry in less than an hour. I pack two types of food, healthy (like carrots and super cold yogurt) and junk (cookies and well, cookies). We always start with the healthy so I know they’re actually hungry and not just looking for sugar. Once they’ve gobbled up all the healthy and they still claim they’re hungry we break out the cookies (one pack each in snack sizes). I know… I’m a meany… but I want my kids to be healthy and sugar to actually be a treat and not an everyday staple.
9. Cold drinks – we only go for water at the pool. No sodas. That said, I can be talked into a ice slush every once in a while when it’s really hot and their friends are getting them. I know… sucker!
10. Disinfectant wipes – come on moms… you know you take them. Pool chairs… sweaty sunbathers… yep… I thought so! Oh, and they’re great for wiping down the snack bar tables too. {grin}
More important than all those things that you pack in the pool bag, is the swimsuit you choose for your child. You’re probably thinking, this swimsuit is cute, but what’s so special about it. Well, first off, I got a really good deal on it at Target so I know it’s good quality and my boys will love the look (they love just about everything from Target). The second thing that makes this swimsuit so wonderful…
I bought two of them exactly alike!
Yes, you’re reading me right. When it comes to my kids’ swimsuits, I always buy two of the exact same design (which is another reason I shop at Target). You see, as a mom, my greatest fear at the pool is loosing one of my kids in the fray. Some days the pool can just be swamped and it’s so easy to loose track of where they are. I buy the same suit in two sizes so they can dress as twins. This keeps me from looking for two swimsuit designs in the sea of drenched kiddos, and it not only helps me, it helps them find each other too. So in my opinion, the single most important quality in a child’s swimsuit is it’s ability to be seen… to be different in some way than all the rest. In this particular example, in addition to their being two of them always in close proximity, the white swim shirt stands out in the pool.
Now, let’s talk about how I plan to keep that “white” swim shirt” white. {wink} I’ll be honest, I tried one a few years ago and it looked “off-white” by the end of June. I’m not worried this year. I’m confident that my new best friend in the laundry room will take care of anything those boys of mine can dishout.
Have you tried Persil® ProCleanTM yet? I find that my clothes are brighter and stains come out much easier. And as you can imagine… I see a lot of stains! What’s more, Persil ProClean is now available at Target!
You might also like:
- Learn how to make your own Dip Dye Mermaid Tote Bag to carry all your pool essentials!
- Having a pool party? My Deep Blue Sea party collection includes beverage wrappers, lunch bag tags, cupcake liners, and straw slips.
- And check out these fun 10 Water Craft Ideas for Kids to keep the kiddos entertained this summer!
As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and celebrate!
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This post is sponsored by Persil ProClean. Thank you for supporting my wonderful sponsors. They make it possible for me to keep the ideas coming! All content, ideas, photography and opinions are that of my own and I’d have it no other way! #PersilAtTarget