Summer is just around the corner, and as we get closer to Memorial Day, outdoor pools and splash pads will be opening. Yay!! I'm seriously ready to sit by the pool, even if it's just for a few hours here and there.
What's in our pool bag?? When we moved to Colorado, one of my stipulations for a community was it needed to have a pool. I grew up in an area that surprisingly had a neighborhood pool. (Those did not exist in the Bay Area in many places). My brothers and I would live there in the summer. I wanted to have that again, for me, and I guess for Hannah 🤣
I put together some things we bring to the pool each time we go... Items that are a must include sunscreen, snacks, drinks, and toys. I hope you find them helpful as you start to think about spending more time outdoors as we head into summer.
*Don't miss the Bonus at the bottom of the list 😉
1. The Bag is the most important part!! 🛍 We purchased ours last year, but Target has some great new options this year!! We have this perfect pineapple bag that is waterproof lined.
2. Rings and diving toys to keep the kiddos busy while in the pool.
3. Goggles, these are my favorite goggles by speedo. We have had a couple pairs (only due to losing them). These have an easy-to-use double bungee strap that offers a snug fit thanks to an easy-adjust toggle. Amazing!! Gone are the days of tightening them down with those silly side straps that are a pain in the "you know what!"
4. Pool floaty for mom!! 🏊♀️
5. And a fun glittery pool floaty for the kid.
6. Pub Mix! I love this stuff. It's an easy snack to fill the tummy. This is my Costco buy for summer.
7. Fruit Bunnies - or your choice of fruit snacks. They stay good even in the hot sun. I leave them in the cooler bag for a nice cold treat on a hot day.
8. Waterloo Sparkling Waters for the days you still have to get work done from the poolside. Or maybe have to head to a photo shoot later in the evening.
9. Capri Sun Variety pack because you know the whole neighborhood will be in your fridge all summer long.
10. Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water for the days you need to unwind and chill by the pool. I love the different variety of this pack. And also seem to not have that malt liquor after taste that I get from some other brands.
11. All in Motion sunglasses! I bought these about a month ago and got so many compliments. $20, ladies and gentlemen. Gone are my days of spending $100+ on sunglasses just to lose them or scratch them. They will get splashed on at the pool and, heck, maybe even stepped on. I don't want my Maui Jims ruined by the girl squad at the pool.
12. Goodr sunglasses are another brand that delivers a fantastic product for a low price. Most of their glasses run for about $25, and they have several styles to choose from. As well as great names! These are the INFLUENCERS PAY DOUBLE, and Hannah loves them. We picked them up locally at the Emporium shops. But you can also order online and try them on virtually. Or use their 30 free returns.
13. Sunscreen!! We all know how crazy this Colorado sun can be. Trust me from experience just last week 🔥. CiraVe is a trusted brand in our house, with Hannah's dry cracking skin. This mineral sunscreen is great for the face.
14. Give me the spray-on!! Let's be honest, spray sunscreen has been around for a while but is now offered in a mineral form. The lotion is fine for putting it on the kiddos. But if I am frank, the spray is more for me. You can get those hard-to-reach spots, and I trust Hannah much more with a spray that she will get all the areas on my back versus trying to pray she gets everywhere with a lotion.
BONUS * Splash Pad Locations Around Castle Rock Colorado!
Philip S Miller Park - 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy Castle Rock, CO 80109
Elk Ridge Park - 7005 Mira Vista Ln Castle Rock, CO 80108
Festival Park - 300 2nd St Castle Rock, CO 80104
Parker Library - 20105 Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138 👆
That concludes what is in our pool bag for this summer. Drop me a comment or two below to let me know what's in your pool bag this summer! If you found this helpful or just want to say Hi 👋
Oo! Those all-in-motion sunglasses are so cool! Thank you for sharing everything you put in your swim bag! One additional thing we like to throw in our bags is a sundress/underwear for the littles to change into after their water fun so we don't have to deal with wet carseats afterwards. Thank you also for the bonus splash pad locations! I hope to check some out when we visit Castle Rock!