The 15 Best Pool Toys, According to a Mom of 4 Fish (I Mean, Kids!)

Mamobaby makes unique and durable pool floats that are eye-catching and, most important, safe for babies. This baby float is adorable and functional, as well as versatile: It can hold babies up to 40 pounds, which is more than some other baby floats on the market. Additionally, it self-inflates to make setup quick and easy. 

It feels durable and comfortable, with two positions available depending on your child’s age. Use the breaststroke position for babies between 3 and 12 months of age and backstroke position for babies between 3 and 24 months. And even though it keeps baby secure thanks to a five-point harness, they’ll still be able to kick their legs around and move pretty freely. My youngest has three older siblings, and she loved being able to kick around after them in the pool with this float.

The canopy is a big plus, too. Babies and young children require as much sun protection as possible, and a canopy (paired with a great baby sunscreen) is a great way to add extra shade when they’re floating in a pool. It’s also removable for easier storage or if you don’t feel you need it. 

One extremely important thing to keep in mind when using a baby pool float is that they are never to be used in place of adult supervision: Baby should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when using a pool float.

These Skip Hop buckets are a simple yet exciting way for baby to enjoy the water: Fill them up, then either dump them out or watch the water sprinkle out of the bottom. To make it even more engaging, these buckets feature three different designs that sprinkle water out differently.

Between the small size and thick carry handle, these buckets are easy for small hands to grip. They’re great for use in a large pool, a kiddie pool, at a water table and in the bath, so they’re very versatile. They also stack for compact, easy storage. 

My kids are obsessed with these buckets, whether they’re in the pool or tub. However, one thing to note is that, despite the water being able to drain out, they may still collect mold. While they’re not dishwasher safe, I’ve found that scrubbing the buckets every once in a while with dish soap eliminates any potential bacteria buildup issue. 

Simple, low-maintenance and cute, this wind-up Munchkin penguin toy is a great option for younger babies who just need something to look at in the water. To make it work, all you have to do is wind up the arms and release: The penguin will “swim” through the water much to your baby’s delight. It’s designed to be easy enough that even your little one can operate it on their own. 

This is a super compact option that is great for travel and can also be used in the bath, in a water table or in a kiddie pool. As a bonus, it’s under $10, so it’s a budget-friendly option, too. My toddler still belly laughs whenever she uses this, and now ropes her older siblings into games of keepaway. The only downside? This little animal takes in water as it swims, so you’ll need to put aside some time for it to properly drain after a few rounds of chase.

For some imaginative play in the pool, look for floating versions of your kid’s favorite show or movie. This bath toy set is ideal for Peppa Pig fans and works just as well in a pool as it does in the bathroom. It comes with two boats and five characters, all of which float so you don’t need to worry about the toys sinking. If you have several kids, there are enough characters for everyone to get in on the fun without fighting for a turn.

Although it’s on the pricier end of pool toys, this set is really versatile, making it a worthwhile investment. Pulling the string on the paddle boat allows it to rotate and “drive” through the water, while the other boat can be used as a pourer. This is a great pick for younger toddlers and babies playing in a kiddie pool, but older kids can have fun with it in a big pool as well. Just be aware that keeping track of all of the items might be a little tough, especially if you’re hanging out in a public pool like my family.

A toy net set is always a hit with toddlers. They promote imaginative play and encourage search and find skills, but they’re also versatile: You can use them in the bath, a water table, kiddie pool or even dry land. This set comes with six floating animals that kids can try to “catch” with the included basket. What makes these animals extra fun though is that they each have a different feature: Two spout water, two make cute sounds when squeezed, and two change color in warmer water temperatures. This makes them a little more interesting for kids and expands play potential outside of the water. My 5-year-old loves making noises with these for her little sister, adding a layer of imaginative fun, and I love that they can safely play with it together. 

The main downside to many toys that squirt water is you’ll want to keep an eye out for mold buildup inside of the toys that spout water. (Just squeeze them out after each use to lower the risk.)

A floating basketball hoop offers a simple, easy game that a variety of age groups will love playing. This Intex Floating Hoop is small enough for toddlers to use, while still being a fun choice for older kids. Not to mention it’s relatively compact so it won’t take up a lot of space in your pool. The base fills with water for added stability, keeping it afloat and preventing it from toppling over too quickly. 

Parents find that it’s easy to inflate and, when deflated, it’s small enough to be portable and travel-friendly. It’s a good starter hoop for younger kids just getting into basketball and they can even use it in the yard as well.

I’ve seen a lot of floating hoops come and go at my community pool, and this is one of the few that has staying power. We’ve had ours for two summers (and counting!) and because it’s still in such good shape, I’m anticipating plenty more years of use. The hoop is easy to inflate and, when deflated, it’s small enough to be portable and travel-friendly. It’s a good starter hoop for younger kids just getting into basketball and they can even use it in the yard as well. Just one thing to note: Because there’s only one ball, you may end up chasing after it a lot.  

The Sunnylife Water Squirters are compact enough for small hands to use and come in three adorable designs: a dolphin (pictured here), a shark, and an alligator. They’re fairly easy to use — you just submerge the top in water, then pull back to fill them — and they’re good for little ones because these squirters don't push the water out too intensely. My older kids love to have “water fights” with these, while my younger tots tap them for pretend play. The hard frame is also incredibly sturdy.

Because these are small enough for young toddlers to hold, they also don’t hold a lot of water. This is a good thing so your tot doesn’t get water everywhere in a matter of seconds, but it can be annoying because they’ll need to be refilled often. There may also be a learning curve when toddlers are first starting to use these; they may take some getting used to before they can really use them on their own. 

There are a lot of floating boat toys out there, but we love this toy ferry boat from Green Toys. It floats while carrying the two included cars, so your child can play with this toy in the pool, tub or water table. There’s also a slide-out ramp to push cars in and out of, which your child can use out of the water. There’s also plenty of cargo space for other small toys if they don’t want to use just cars. 

This is one of the longest-lasting toys in my house — it’s been passed down through three kids, and is currently a favorite of my youngest. It’s also dishwasher-safe, which is even more convenient for keeping mold at bay.

Babies and older kids alike will enjoy playing with a toy that can zoom through the water. Shaped like little stingrays, these self-powered toys are fun to chase after and may even help foster some swimming skills. They come in a set of three, and they can breach, swirl or helix through the water, depending on how you want to play with them. Many parents opt to use these as bath toys, so they’ll make for a great toy in shallow water like a kiddie pool or water table, too.

Although these are suggested for kids ages 5 and up, you can use them in a different way with toddlers and babies: my youngest daughter was always fascinated just watching toys like these move through the water on their own, even when she was a baby. They’re compact and easy to travel with as well. 

Splash balls are a true pool play classic: They’re versatile enough for almost any age group, and they offer lots of open-ended play options. This affordable four pack is perfect whether you’re at the pool or the beach — I’ve even purchased them for my kids to use at their water table. Although the suggested use is for kids over 6, toddlers also love tossing these around and chasing after them because they float. 

Alexandra Bisonó, What to Expect’s former Creative Director, shared her nearly 3-year-old daughter who is learning to swim is obsessed with them. “She loves these balls to throw, swim to and do all kinds of other activities,” she says. “They absorb water so she loves to squeeze them and watch it come out.” Another perk: these are soft and compact enough to easily stash in a suitcase if you’re headed on a tropical vacation. 

This adorable Fisher-Price Little People Farm Animal Friends set is technically not a pool toy, but my 2-year-old and her big sister will spend most of their pool time playing with these. I’ve watched them submerge the figures in buckets, perch them on floats, or just hold them close while paddling around. The toys are also a big draw with the neighborhood kids, who love to join in on the pretend play. 

Fisher-Price Little People toys don’t have holes, so you don’t have to stress about mold buildup. They’re also constructed with a durable, hard plastic. While they don’t float well, older siblings may love using them as diving toys (mine do!). 

If you have a zero-entry pool like ours, these are excellent for the shallow end. And, of course, you can use them on dry land, too.

Getting toddlers to put anything on their face can be a struggle, including goggles. But the Speedo Kids' Sunny Vibes Swim Goggles are made to be fun, with sweet styles little ones will actually be excited to slip on, like hearts, rainbows and sharks to suit your toddler’s growing tastes. These feature a toggle design for quick and easy adjustments, so you don’t have to worry as much about pinching skin and hair, or getting them on a little one who never sits still. 

While these goggles are technically for kids 3 and up, my 2-year-old likes to wear them as a fashion accessory to look like her big siblings. I’ve found that the toggle closure helps keep them in place, even though they’re not as effective at keeping water out of her eyes as they are on her big sister. Still, I appreciate that they protect her from big splashes and are helping to get her used to wearing goggles in the near future. 

Safety first! While little ones should never be left unattended in or around water, the Coleman Stearns infant life jacket provides your child with a little more freedom to paddle around while you stay within arm’s reach. As a mom who sails, I’ve always appreciated that this Coast Guard-approved flotation device has closed sides and two adjustable straps for a secure fit, along with a padded headrest for a more comfortable feel. My daughter was a little annoyed that she couldn’t move as freely in this at first as she could with her puddle jumper, but she quickly got used to it. 

The jacket is extra padded — something my kids don’t complain about compared to other brands we’ve tried — and the zipper goes up easily, even after regular use. Best of all? This jacket will grow with your little one up to 30 pounds. 

I’ve had cheap, standard foam models break down into a crumbling mess. But the WOW World of Watersports First Class Foam Pool Noodle boasts a strong, vinyl coating that makes it nearly indestructible, despite near-daily use by my four little ones. We’ve had ours for two summers now and it’s still going strong.

This toy is wider than your average pool noodle, too, but the textured surface makes it easy for my 2-year-old to grip on her own. She loves hooking her arms over the top and bobbing around the pool, or simply slapping it on the water to make waves. (Just keep in mind that this isn’t designed to replace a life jacket and parental supervision in the water.)

And when no one else in the family is using this — which is rare, I might add — even I can float around on it, as it touts an impressive 250-pound weight limit.

I originally bought the Sunlite Sports Jr. Swimming Kickboardon the recommendation of a swim teacher for my older son to help him nail down a  proper swimming form, but it was quickly taken over by my younger children who now use it every time we go to the pool. My 2-year-old, for instance, uses it for its intended purpose (kicking around for a bit), before floating her dolls and other water toys around on it. 

To say I’m impressed at how sturdy this board is would be an understatement — ours is three years old and doesn’t even have a scratch. It has a slightly textured surface that makes it easy for my toddler to grip, and the edges are smooth, tamping down on the risk of chafing. Just be aware that toddlers may choose to use it as a weapon against older siblings, as we’ve unfortunately discovered. 

Freelance contributor Jessica Booth originally contributed to this article.