Here’s a list of swimming essentials to pack in your pool bag so you don’t forget anything important this summer.
A trip to the pool is a great way to pass the time during summer. Cool, refreshing water on a hot day—what could be better than that?
The last thing you want to do is arrive at the pool and realize you’ve left something important behind. That’s definitely one way to ruin the fun.
Having a list of all your swimming essentials virtually ensures you won’t forget anything. Print out the handy free checklist so you know just what to bring to the pool. You can find it at the end of this post.
A List of Swimming Essentials
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Clothing and Accessories
Swimsuit and Cover-up. Of course, a swimsuit is pretty obvious. If you don’t intend to wear one at the pool, it might cause quite the sensation.
A cover-up is nice to have if you just plan to lie next to the pool and for any trips to the concession stand or bathroom.
Swim Cap. I never quite got the point of a swim cap. My hair was always soaking wet by the time I got out of the pool. I thought the whole purpose of it was to protect your hair.
In any case, depending on the pool rules, a swim cap could be a must-have. Double-check before you go.
Hair ties. If you have longer hair, these are great for keeping your tresses out of your face.
Hat. A wide-brimmed floppy hat helps to protect the delicate skin on your face from the sun.
Shoes. A pair of flip-flops or sandals are good for walking to and from the car. But, they’re especially important to have in case you or your child needs to take a trip to the bathroom. No bare feet in a public toilet. (Gross!)
Change of Clothes. No-one wants to sit in the car in a wet bathing suit and towel so be sure to have dry clothing that you can change into.
Be Safe At the Pool
Sunblock. Sunburns suck so protect your skin with sunblock. Use one with a minimum of SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, more frequently if you’re in the water.
Lip balm. Don’t forget about your lips! A lip balm with SPF can ward off chapped, dry lips and help prevent sunburn. If you want to look extra cute, get a tinted one with SPF.
Goggles. Goggles are fun for kids to have at the pool and they protect their eyes, if they’re sensitive to chlorine.
Sunglasses. These shield your eyes from the glare of the sun. I recommend a cheaper pair that you won’t mind possibly being dropped into the pool or getting scratched. Don’t wear your finest designer shades to the swimming pool.
Safety/ Flotation Devices. If you’ve got a little one, who can’t swim well, safety devices e.g. life jackets are a must even if there are lifeguards on duty. When the pool is busy, your child can easily get lost in the crowd. You can also take along regular flotation devices so you can lay back and relax in the pool.
First Aid Kit. Kids are prone to cuts and scrapes as they play around the pool. A first aid kit can also help with headaches or allergies. Take a small first aid kit with the following:
- Bandaids
- Neosporin
- Pain killers
- Benedryl
- Prescription medication
Fun Pool Essentials
Pool Toys. Keep the kids entertained with pool toys like water guns or balls. One toy per child is more than enough. There’s no need to pack every toy you own for one trip.
Reading Material. While your child is having fun in the pool, you can catch up with a juicy book. I love reading books via the free Kindle app on my devices. Just be sure to have a waterproof case for your tablet or phone.
If you’re worried about taking your eyes off your child, you can still enjoy a book by listening to it. Audible makes that easy. (Gotta love technology!) By the way, you get two free audiobooks when you try Audible. Yay, for free stuff!
Food and Drink
Water. Even though you may not feel it while you’re in the pool, you’re losing a lot of water as you sweat. Take a plastic or stainless steel bottle filled with cold water with you so you can stay hydrated. It’s important to replenish what you’ve lost. Your child may not appreciate it but make sure they take frequent water breaks.
Snacks/ Food. All that splashing around will make your kid hungry. Stave off the “hangry” tantrums with lots of snacks or even food, if you plan to be at the pool all day. Fresh fruit, pretzels and granola bars make awesome choices for quick, wholesome snacks.
Miscellaneous Swimming Bag Essentials
Money. There’s nothing worse than wanting refreshments from a vending machine or shop, only to realize you have no money. Keep at least $20 in your pool bag.
Comb/ Detangler. If you want to go out after you leave the pool, a comb and some detangler can be life-saving. Otherwise, you’ll need to make the trip with hair that’s all tangled. Not a good look.
Towel. A large beach towel is really nice to wrap up in after climbing out of the pool. In addition to that, it’s also great to lie on top of in the pool chair. Pack one towel per person.
Wet Bag. Having a waterproof bag on hand to place wet swimsuits into is great. You can use a plastic bag but those can leak. If you don’t want everything in your bag to be a sopping mess by the time you get home, use a wet bag.
A day at the swimming pool can be so much fun for you and your child. Hopefully, this pool bag checklist will help you know exactly what to pack.
Download this Swimming Essentials Checklist.
Taking a beach vacation instead of a trip to the pool? Then, you’ll love this Beach Vacation Packing List.
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