Our first Canadian long weekend is before us, and we just opened our pool this week! Below are our favourite “Pool Life Must-Haves For The Whole Family”!
When we were searching for a new home two years ago, one with a pool was not necessary, but having one has been a fabulous so far. The pool has been a great source of exercise and excuse to get outdoors right after dinner to keep the kids busy and active. Some days, it even substitutes for their night time bath! Bonus!
Having a pool has also created a community gathering effect – much like a birdbath does. It draws company, friends and family over more often, which is wonderful given the chaos and organization required to get four kids out the door for water play in public areas. Having little ones who still nap can keep us from staying out all day, and connect as much as we’d liked. So entertaining by the pool allows us to enjoy great company and manage the needs of our littles in the comforts of our own home. Low key, but so enjoyable.
Before we had our own, we got to enjoy pool life at the grandparents’ house, giving us an excuse to get some toys and gear the whole family loves and uses for a fun time in the water.
Here they are, our pool life must haves:
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Sun-Safety – Pool Life Musts
Less fussing, and letting go are how we manage our big brood, but an area we never let our guard down is sun-safety. Here are our favourites:
ThinkSport Sunscreen
We’ve probably tried almost every sunscreen on the market for families, but this award-winning suncare line is definitely our favourite. The respect the fact the line is free of biologically harmful chemicals, and Paraben, phthalates, PABA and 1,4 dioxane free. No other sun care product gives our kids as much lasting protection as this one (80-minute water resistance), when they are constantly in and out of the water and very active in warm weather months. Bonus, it’s safe for the whole family, and we loved the ThinkBaby line when the kids were wee ones. Now loving the new Sunscreen stick. Our favourite shop with the best prices on this line is Amazon.ca
UV Skinz Swim Sets
We love this sun-safe water gear (rush guards, swim shorts + hat) that provides UPF 50+ protection from head-to-tush in a fabulous array of designs for both girls and boys. Available on Amazon.ca and in-stores at Costco.
Baby Bandz
Our favourite brand of UV ray eye protection for the kids that can be worn in and out of the water. Shatter-resistant, and bands are available in a variety of colours. Available on Amazon.ca in sizes 0-2 years & 2-5 years.
Waterproof Hats with Sun protection
We love the selection of sun-safe, waterproof hats from Joe Fresh! We stock up on these affordable water-life must-haves for all the kids at the start of the season for daycare, parks and more. They have UPF 50+ sun protection and are reversible!
Swim Aids – Pool Life Musts
The kids are progressing so well in their swimming skill and confidence. Even our 3 year-old Allegra is swimming about (strapped in a life preserver, of course) with ease. With a pool and a family cottage on the lake, water safety & swim lessons are so important, but we’ve also found removing the pressure to perform in swim instruction with lots of leisure pool time has made a great difference in their progress as well. These are the swim aid products our babes have used from their first splash in a pool and have helped them build confidence in the water:
SwimWays Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy
All of our kids experienced their first dip in the pool with this fantastic baby-friendly raft. We loved the added UPF 50+ sun-shade feature, and storage tote you can pack it up in for travel & cottage-going. We also love the SwimWays “Swim Steps” program, providing resources and tools to help teach our babes how to swim.
Puddle Jumpers
This fantastic product by Sterns allows babes 30-50 lbs to move and swim freely in all bodies of water without the ride-up affect around their neck some life preserves create. Kids will love the fun characters on the front, and parents will love the swimming confidence the product enables for lasting fun in the water. The best prices we’ve seen on these popular items is at Walmart.
Swim School Water Diaper
Okay this one won’t make them swim better, but it definitely will make you feel better having a reusable swim diaper option, in lieu of disposables (which we do love for convenience-sake for travel and day trips) which aren’t the most budget or eco-friendly option for frequent pool users. They come in Small, Medium & Large sizes to suit your child’s weight and are available at Walmart.
Just for fun Pool Life Must-Haves!
Pool Dive Toys
Such a low-cost items, but create so much lasting fun! Think endless competitions of who can get the dive toy first – a game the kids love, and we love joining them in. These are our pool dive favs, all available from Canadian Tire:
3D LED Dive Sticks
SwimWays Toypedo Bandits
Banzai Pool Dive Rings
Water Blasters
Another low-cost favourite that endlessly entertains, especially trying to squirt Mom in the face! Best prices available at Walmart.
Swimways Spring Float Recliner
For some adult R&R. We love this Spring float for its comfort, built-in head rest, and cup holder for your favourite Summer beverage. It easily deflates and folds flat for better storage and portability. Available on Amazon.ca
Unicorn Float
A hot pool float trend this year I couldn’t resist. It will fit both our daughter and I so we can ride away from the rough-housing of her brothers 😊 We purchased ours from Amazon.ca
Pineapple Float
I fell in love with this inflatable at Canadian Tire’s Canvas collection event last month. This toy is a HOT item this year and will match all your other pineapple décor you may, like me, be scooping up in the patio sections of your favourite stores 😉 Available here.
Quick-Fill Pump
More like an essential, then entertaining, but we love this air pump by Intex for quick inflation/deflation of all our inflatable pool gear. Less time blowing everything up, means more time having fun!
We hope you found this guide useful and wish you a fabulous Summer enjoying lots family time in the water!
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