Splashing around in the pool is one of the most fun summertime activities for kids. Not only does it offer a chance to cool off in the heat, but it’s also a great opportunity for kids to get some exercise and improve their swimming skills.
However, keeping kids entertained in the pool can be a challenge, especially when they’re very young. That’s where pool toys come in! These fun and colorful toys can help keep kids engaged and happy in the water, making pool time even more enjoyable for the whole family. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the best kiddie pool toys available, including dive toys, squirters, noodles, and inflatable rafts. So, let’s dive in!
Our Top Picks
- Best Active Toy: Forblader Pool Ring Toys
- Best Ball Toy: Watermelon Ball Pool Toy
- Best Toddler Toy: FUN LITTLE TOYS For Toddlers
- Best Pool Game For Family: BEBEKULA Floating Toss Game
- Best Dive Toys: Boley Dive Gems Swim Toys
- Best Net Game: SwimWays Disney Finding Nemo Toys
- Best Pool Toy For Pool Parties: Intex Pool Volleyball Game
- Best Floating Basketball Game: GoSports Splash Hoop
- Best Pool Toy For Learning To Swim: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dolphin and Shark Kickboards
- Best Float Toy: Big Summer Inflatable Fire Boat Pool Float
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Kiddie Pool Toys Picks
Forblader Pool Ring Toys – Best Active Toy
- Great for being active
- Easy to assemble
- Well-made
- Overall fun for children who can hold their breath and swim at deeper levels
- They do move a lot so they do not stay put in the water
These rings offer a perfect balance of fun and challenge for swimmers of all abilities. Whether your kid is a seasoned pro or just starting out, these rings will help them improve their swimming skills and make any day in the water an adventure. They also make great pool toys for keeping your child active.
Simply assemble the floating ring and place it in the pool. The rings will stay afloat, providing a fun and interactive way for your kid to pass through them and practice their strokes.
Watermelon Ball Pool Toy – Best Ball Toy
- Unique
- Can be used in several ways (bounced on the bottom of the pool, bounced on the wall of the pool, passed back and forth underwater, etc.)
- Easy to fill
- Fun for kids and adults
- A bit heavy
This is not your typical ball, as it’s filled with water to simulate the buoyancy of a real watermelon! When you toss it into the water, it sinks and then gradually rises back up to the surface. But that’s not all – this ball is perfect for all sorts of water activities, such as bouncing, dribbling, and passing underwater.
When you purchase this ball, you’ll get a hose adapter and filling needle included, making it easy to fill with water. Your kids will love this ball because it’s great for pool diving games and all kinds of aquatic activities.
FUN LITTLE TOYS For Toddlers – Best Toddler Toy
- Cute cars
- Can be used in a bathtub as well
- The smaller boats squirt water
- Well-made and dries out quickly
- The paint rubs away after quite some time
This aquatic vessel comes complete with four toy cars and four toddler-friendly rubber squirter boats. Not only is the cargo space on this ferry boat quite spacious, but it also has a loading ramp that allows your little ones to drive the cars up and down into the hull.
The ferry boat and water squirters make for the perfect combination of aquatic exploration and imaginative play, providing hours of fun for your children. With the rubber boats, simply squeeze them above water to squirt, and when submerged in water, they fill up. This sailing experience is not just limited to the pool; it can begin anywhere there is water, even in the bathtub.
BEBEKULA Floating Toss Game – Best Pool Game For Family
- Perfect size
- Sturdy
- Lots of fun
- Very easy to set up
- The bean bags have to be retrieved every time
Get ready to take aim and have a blast with this versatile outdoor target game! Whether you’re up for some friendly competition with your family and friends at the lake or pool, in a park, backyard, or anywhere with a flat surface, this game is perfect for hours of fun and entertainment.
To make inflating the game board quicker and easier, they’ve designed an inflatable mouth that’s user-friendly and features a two-time inflatable seal design. Once the game board is inflated, fill the bean bags with water and you’re ready to go. The speed safety valve ensures quick and easy inflation and deflation of the inflatable cornhole board. And when it’s time to pack up, it folds effortlessly for transport and storage.
Boley Dive Gems Swim Toys – Best Dive Toys
- Great size
- Look exactly like the photos
- They sink okay and stay on the bottom
- You have a chance to grab them before they hit the bottom if you’re quick
- The yellow and green are hard to see in the water
This set includes 12 jewel-cut pieces in four different shapes: stars, circles, seashells, and rectangles, all in bright, translucent colors. Perfect for swimming or bath time, your kids will love these toys!
Each piece is made from durable, smooth plastic, able to withstand rough play both in and out of the water. Plus, they are designed without holes to prevent mold growth. Just make sure to towel them off or air dry them before storing them. Keep in mind that these gems don’t float, so adult supervision is recommended for children aged 3 and below when playing in the pool.
SwimWays Disney Finding Nemo Toys – Best Net Game
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy
- Can be used in bath
- Cute
- The net doesn’t float
Help Mr. Ray gather up Dory and her friends for a field trip to the coral reefs! Toss baby Nemo, Pearl, Sheldon, and Kathy characters into the water, and then swim after them, using the Mr. Ray net to capture them. Each character floats at a different depth, adding more fun to the challenge of catching them all.
Not only is this game a blast for pool playtime, but it’s also a great way to boost your little one’s swim skills. Each pool toy set comes with six pieces: a net and five figures. And is recommended for children ages 5 and up.
Intex Pool Volleyball Game – Best Pool Toy For Pool Parties
- Can’t beat the price
- Fun game for the whole family to play
- It stays afloat, especially with the weights on the end
- Adds to the enjoyment of a pool
- Takes a few minutes to assemble
The game includes an inflatable volleyball and the pole bases come with grommets to accommodate optional anchor weights. A handy storage box and repair kit are also included, so you can keep the game in tip-top shape all summer long. This pool toy is recommended for ages 6 and up and is sure to provide hours of entertainment for all, especially for pool parties.
GoSports Splash Hoop – Best Floating Basketball Game
- It stays afloat
- Very easy to put together
- The hoop is extremely well made
- Compact when disassembled
- It needs a bit of help so it doesn’t tip over
The GoSports Splash Hoop 360 is here to add a fresh dose of excitement to your pool experience, all without breaking the bank. This simple addition sets up in seconds and weighs less than 5 lbs, making it easy to carry around.
With this set, you’ll have everything your kid will have everything they need to become the pool basketball champion: two water basketballs with anti-slip grips to avoid chasing the balls out of the pool and a quality hand pump with an inflation needle to inflate the Splash Hoop 360 target.
Swimmers of all ages will enjoy hours of fun in the pool with this incredible game. It’s the perfect way to keep the kids entertained and cool during those hot summer months.
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dolphin and Shark Kickboards – Best Pool Toy For Learning To Swim
- Perfect for toddlers learning to swim
- Very cute design
- Great price
- Kids will love it
- They’re styrofoam with a thin fabric-like coating
Built with buoyant Styrofoam and covered in vibrant polyester, this kickboard is perfect for beginners looking to improve their balance and stability. The colorfast fabric is designed to withstand chlorine and sunlight exposure, ensuring these kickboards will last all summer long.
Not only will these toys help improve gross motor skills, but they’ll also boost your child’s confidence in the water. The set includes two kickboards and fun dolphin and shark designs that your child is sure to love.
Big Summer Inflatable Fire Boat Pool Float – Best Float Toy
- Holds air for a long time
- Sturdy
- Cute toy
- Fun water gun sprayer
- Has to be inflated by mouth
Made from thick and durable PVC material, these fire truck floats are not only safe for your child to play with but also built to last. The included attachment is a squirter pistol that provides a continuous supply of water, guaranteeing an enjoyable experience for all.
These floats also come with a separate attachment that can be removed if you only want to use them as a float. With a long-lasting repair patch included, your pool floats can be easily fixed if needed.
How To Choose Pool Toys For Kids?
- Safety: Make sure you check before purchasing a pool toy for your children to ensure it hasn’t been recalled or received reports of serious safety hazards (1). Make sure the pool toys you consider won’t endanger your child’s safety or obstruct their life jacket.
- Child Interests: Some kids might like more active toys, while others could favor more passive toys.
- Durability: Interestingly, many outdoor toys break easily because they can’t withstand the elements. If not, consider purchasing high-quality and/or weatherproof items. Take into account if you have a place to keep pool toys when they are not in use.
- Age: Younger kids may find brightly colored pool toys and toys that are simple to grab to be particularly tempting, even if they aren’t yet large enough or skillful enough to utilize them.
Types Of Pool Toys For Kids
- Balls: If you love throwing pool parties for your kids and their friends, you need to get your hands on these pool toys! They’re durable, versatile, and perfect for kids of all ages, making them a great addition to any household with young children.
- Diving Toys: There are a variety of toys that can be used for diving, depending on the skill level of the child. Rings, batons, and other weighted objects are all popular choices. Diving toys can provide hours of fun and excitement for kids who enjoy being in the water.
- Toddler Toys: For toddlers and preschoolers, bath toys are a great option for playing in a kiddie pool. Several manufacturers produce pool games exclusively for smaller children. You’d be surprised at how many possibilities there are for your child.
- Floats: There is no shortage of pool float options these days, from giant inflatable flamingos to your favorite foods. Even though these devices are designed to keep children floating, anyone who isn’t a skilled swimmer should still wear an appropriate safety vest.
Safety Tips For Kids In Pools
It’s no secret that pools can be dangerous places for children. Every year, thousands of kids are injured in pool-related accidents. But with a little knowledge and some basic safety precautions, you can help keep your kids safe around pools (2).
- Always supervise your children when they’re around pools (3)
- Make sure the pool you’re using is properly fenced and has a self-closing, self-latching gate
- Keep rescue equipment, like a life preserver or a shepherd’s hook, near the pool
- Don’t allow your children to play near pool drains or other underwater fixtures
- Don’t let your child swim alone
Can I Leave Pool Toys In The Pool?
Be sure to remove plastic pool toys from the pool when you’re done using them. Items like loungers and pool floats can degenerate over time due to exposure to moisture, sunlight, and heat. To prolong the life of your float, take it with you when you leave the pool and store it in a clean, shaded area.
How Do You Keep Pool Toys From Blowing Away?
One way is to weigh them down with sandbags or water-filled balloons. Another way is to secure them to the ground with stakes or ropes. And yet another way is to simply put them away in a storage bin when they’re not in use. Whichever method you choose, just be sure to keep an eye on the toys so that they don’t end up blowing away and getting lost.
Can Splash Balls Float?
There are a variety of materials that can be used to make splash balls, including foam and plastic. These balls are designed to float on top of the water, even when they are full, making them a great choice for kids. There is no need to dive to the pool’s bottom to retrieve them.
