In the summer, our family spends a lot of time at the pool, beach, and lake. It makes it easier when we have the items we need, organized and ready to go for our family. Here are the items we have found to be summer essentials for kids, when you are spending time at the water!
Summer Essentials for Kids
Swimsuit Coverups
These swimsuit coverups are lightweight and can be worn over a swimsuit. They are soft, stretchy, and dry quickly. We also like this sleeveless one that comes in sizes for toddlers through big kids. Both styles come in a variety of different colors.
Quality Water Shoes
It’s important to have quality summer sandals that can also get wet! For little ones (around ages 1 to 5) we love Ten Little’s Splash Sandals. They are closed toe and come in aqua, yellow, navy, and pink. For older kids (our older girls are 7 and 9) we like these slide slides from Target they can slip on and off when walking around the pool.
Waterproof Bags
It’s nice to have a variety of sizes of waterproof bags to keep wet and dry items separate. This larger bag is great for carrying all the beach or pool essentials. We use these 2-pocket wet/dry bags to keep swimsuits and dry clothes separate. These smaller pouches are helpful for organizing small items (snacks, sunscreen, etc) separately, and then toss them into your larger swim bag.
Sunscreen
Every swim day starts with sunscreen. Our current go-to is Tubby Todd’s Sun Set, which includes Mineral Mist (SPF 50), Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50) and Mineral Sunstick (SPF 30). If putting on sunscreen is a challenge with your kids, try out these sunscreen applicators that you can fill with the sunscreen of your choice, then just rub on!
Water Toys
Last summer we ordered this $5 set of diving rings from Target. They are bright and have a textured design, making they easy to spot and grab in the water. It’s a fun way to practice jumping in the water, going under, and then repeating again and again. For the beach, we like to pack along a pack of sand toys, and these shovels look like a fun way to dig for sand castles.
Water Games
Seek & Splash is a fun underwater search and find activity. You drop jewels under the water, and the waterproof game cards show the colors and shapes to try to find. You can use code TIDY20 for 20% off on the Skillmatics website. (also available on Amazon: Junior version: for ages 3+ and Classic version: for ages 6+)
Swim Lesson Essentials
Our girls have taken swim lessons for years, and the older girls are on swim team in the summer. These kickboards are great for kicking practice in the water. They wear these swim caps to keep their hair out of their face, protect their hair from chlorine damage, and keep water out of their ears. All three of our girls also LOVE these adjustable swim goggles that have a fabric strap and don’t pull their hair. They are our favorite googles for kids and come in lots of fun designs!
Sunglasses
These sunglasses are durable and flexible. They have polarized anti-glare lenses and provide 100% UVA/B protection. We love that the arms are bendable rather than breakable. They come with a felt carrying case that can attach to a bag.
Sun Hat
These sun hats are UPF 50+ and keep kids cool and protected. They are also lightweight and quick drying. This style for babies has a neck flap and this style for kids has a 5″ brim. They both tie under the chin to help them stay on securely.
Beach Towel
Don’t forget to pack a beach towel! We like to choose large towels that are made from a sand resistant fabric, absorbent, light and compact, and fast drying. This towel packs up into a small carry sack and comes in 5 different designs.
We hope this list inspires your own water fun, and helps as your choose your swim essentials for kids!
Thanks for pinning: Swim Essentials for Kids
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission for purchases made through these links. We hope you enjoy some of our summer essentials for kids!
____________________________________________________________________________
You may also like:
Hi, I'm Tidy Dad!
Tyler Moore is the creator of the “Tidy Dad” Instagram, TikTok, and website. A public school teacher in New York City, husband, and father of three young daughters, he has been featured on Good Morning America and in The Washington Post, The New York Times, New York Post, Better Homes & Gardens Secrets of Getting Organized magazine, Apartment Therapy, and many podcasts including HGTV and Minimalist Moms. During the school year, he lives with his wife, Emily, a pediatric occupational therapist, and three daughters in Queens, New York. In the summer, they spend as much time as possible in their small but tidy cottage in the Poconos.
June 15, 2024
Summer Essentials for Kids
In the summer, our family spends a lot of time at the pool, beach, and lake. It makes it easier when we have the items we need, organized and ready to go for our family. Here are the items we have found to be summer essentials for kids, when you are spending time at the water!
Summer Essentials for Kids
Swimsuit Coverups
These swimsuit coverups are lightweight and can be worn over a swimsuit. They are soft, stretchy, and dry quickly. We also like this sleeveless one that comes in sizes for toddlers through big kids. Both styles come in a variety of different colors.
Quality Water Shoes
It’s important to have quality summer sandals that can also get wet! For little ones (around ages 1 to 5) we love Ten Little’s Splash Sandals. They are closed toe and come in aqua, yellow, navy, and pink. For older kids (our older girls are 7 and 9) we like these slide slides from Target they can slip on and off when walking around the pool.
Waterproof Bags
It’s nice to have a variety of sizes of waterproof bags to keep wet and dry items separate. This larger bag is great for carrying all the beach or pool essentials. We use these 2-pocket wet/dry bags to keep swimsuits and dry clothes separate. These smaller pouches are helpful for organizing small items (snacks, sunscreen, etc) separately, and then toss them into your larger swim bag.
Sunscreen
Every swim day starts with sunscreen. Our current go-to is Tubby Todd’s Sun Set, which includes Mineral Mist (SPF 50), Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50) and Mineral Sunstick (SPF 30). If putting on sunscreen is a challenge with your kids, try out these sunscreen applicators that you can fill with the sunscreen of your choice, then just rub on!
Water Toys
Last summer we ordered this $5 set of diving rings from Target. They are bright and have a textured design, making they easy to spot and grab in the water. It’s a fun way to practice jumping in the water, going under, and then repeating again and again. For the beach, we like to pack along a pack of sand toys, and these shovels look like a fun way to dig for sand castles.
Water Games
Seek & Splash is a fun underwater search and find activity. You drop jewels under the water, and the waterproof game cards show the colors and shapes to try to find. You can use code TIDY20 for 20% off on the Skillmatics website. (also available on Amazon: Junior version: for ages 3+ and Classic version: for ages 6+)
Swim Lesson Essentials
Our girls have taken swim lessons for years, and the older girls are on swim team in the summer. These kickboards are great for kicking practice in the water. They wear these swim caps to keep their hair out of their face, protect their hair from chlorine damage, and keep water out of their ears. All three of our girls also LOVE these adjustable swim goggles that have a fabric strap and don’t pull their hair. They are our favorite googles for kids and come in lots of fun designs!
Sunglasses
These sunglasses are durable and flexible. They have polarized anti-glare lenses and provide 100% UVA/B protection. We love that the arms are bendable rather than breakable. They come with a felt carrying case that can attach to a bag.
Sun Hat
These sun hats are UPF 50+ and keep kids cool and protected. They are also lightweight and quick drying. This style for babies has a neck flap and this style for kids has a 5″ brim. They both tie under the chin to help them stay on securely.
Beach Towel
Don’t forget to pack a beach towel! We like to choose large towels that are made from a sand resistant fabric, absorbent, light and compact, and fast drying. This towel packs up into a small carry sack and comes in 5 different designs.
We hope this list inspires your own water fun, and helps as your choose your swim essentials for kids!
Thanks for pinning: Swim Essentials for Kids
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission for purchases made through these links. We hope you enjoy some of our summer essentials for kids!
____________________________________________________________________________
You may also like:
June 15, 2024
Summer Essentials for Kids
Hi, I'm Tidy Dad!
Tyler Moore is the creator of the “Tidy Dad” Instagram, TikTok, and website. A public school teacher in New York City, husband, and father of three young daughters, he has been featured on Good Morning America and in The Washington Post, The New York Times, New York Post, Better Homes & Gardens Secrets of Getting Organized magazine, Apartment Therapy, and many podcasts including HGTV and Minimalist Moms. During the school year, he lives with his wife, Emily, a pediatric occupational therapist, and three daughters in Queens, New York. In the summer, they spend as much time as possible in their small but tidy cottage in the Poconos.
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