What’s In Our Pool Bag

Ok, I’m just going to pretend that pools here in North Carolina will be opening up sometime this summer and thus, I will be stocking my pool bag! 

If those pools stay closed, you can bet we’ll be blowing up a pool set up for our backyard, so the gear is still crucial around here.

My arms are always full of kids and towels and shoes so I pack a pool bag at the beginning of the season with everything the kids will want and need and keep it packed through the Summer months. 

I, of course, pull out towels and cover ups to wash but things like back up sunnies, rash guards, sunscreen, cups, toys and goggles live permanently in the bag. That way, I never forget the one pool toy that my children decide to be in love with for the day, I know what I always have on hand and I can load the kids up in record time. 

Many of these items are my tried and trues, but I could resist adding in a few new WalMart Fashion faves to our packing list. Ya’ll know my love of Walmart 2 day delivery runs deep and after finding the best one piece swimwear at WalMart last week, I am confident that my desire to “add to cart” on the Walmart site is never going away. 

1. Bare Sunscreen Spray: My friend Val is my go-to source for safe and effective sunscreens. This year, she suggested that I give Bare a try for both myself and the kids. 

I picked up the SPF 50 mineral sunscreen spray to keep in our bag at all times (face specific sunscreens for me and the littles listed below!)

2. Spill Proof Insulated Cups: I will leave this set of cups in my bag throughout the summer – they’re the back up cups! 

We always brings drinks to the pool but sometimes we blow through our juice boxes or they decide they hate the cup I packed for them that day, so a backup is a win for me. 

3. Sun Hat: a floppy hat for me is a must. And because nothing wrecks a hat like chlorine and being shoved into a pool bag, I love an inexpensive one. This one is just $7! 

If you prefer one that is more compact, check this one out. 

4. Kid’s Slip On Jelly Water Shoes: perfect for splash pads, super hot concrete and gross pool bathrooms! 

The slip on aspect makes this pair perfect for my 2.5 year old, plus, she’ll be all about the pink jelly situation. Also available in an orange and grey combo.  

5. Hooded Towel: For the age of my kids, I prefer the smaller, hooded bath towels to large pool towels. It honestly just makes my life easier!

6. Mineral Baby sunscreen stick: for those adorable little baby faces!

7. Goggles: We’ve always got a rotating stock of goggles on hand. We lose them, we find them, we pick up someone else’s on accident, we leave them under pool chairs, we always have more than one pair on hand for each kid. 

8. Toddler Sun Hat: I love that this set comes in a two pack for $9! 

9. Button Front Dress Cover Up: I like to keep a go-anywhere cover-up stashed in a ziploc bag inside my pool bag at all times. 

This button front version looks so soft and easy to put on so I’m thinking it’ll be this year’s winner! 

10. Melt In SPF 60 Face Sunscreen: this is the sunscreen I prefer for my face – I’ve been using it for years and love how easily it rubs in. 

11. Boy’s Rash Guard: love this bright orange boy’s rash guard for under $10!

12. Large Tote Bag: When it come to choosing the right pool bag here are my requirements:

huge

easy to tote (over the shoulder straps_

washable/wipeable

a top that can be closed 

I rounded up a few of my faves from Walmart below but this tote is my fave of them all. It looks like a brand we all recognize but comes in at a fraction of the price. It comes in a ton of cute colors, too!

13. Girl’s Hooded Terry Cover Up: because my toddler barely sits still long enough for me to dry her off, I might as well toss a towel version of a cover up on her!

14. Drawstring Water Shoes: perfect for my big boy!

15. Chlorine Leave In Spray Conditioner: I have two blondes so chlorine + sunshine = disaster around here. This year, I’m going to try this leave in conditioner and protectant spray after rinsing their hair at the pool showers. Fingers crossed we avoid the green!

16. Squirty Water Toys: I mean, of course we need squirty toys!

17. Dive Sticks: and dive sticks, too!

18. Kid’s Sunglasses: along with the blonde hair comes the sensitive blue eyes for both of my littles! The sun bouncing off of the pool water can really bother my youngest especially so I always have a couple of pairs of gender neutral sunnies on hand. 

19. Metallic Sandals: because Mama deserves cute throw-on-and-go sandals! 

Here are my fave pool bags – from traditional totes to mesh carry-alls and washable options, I think everyone will find what they’re looking for. I may snag the $5 option just to leave in my car!