After Three Summers of Swim Lessons, I Always Bring These 13 Things in My Family's Pool Bag—From $9

With summer well underway, my family has been in swimming mode for months now. As a mom of young kids, I believe water safety is non-negotiable, which is why we’ve spent the last three summers going to swim lessons. This year, we’ll be at the pool up to six times a week for my 6-year-old’s swim team and my 4-year-old’s lessons, so I’ll be keeping my waterproof Bogg bag fully stocked with the tried-and-true swimming gear we’ve used season after season.

From a sunscreen applicator that actually makes my kids want to put on SPF to our go-to Crocs water shoes and the leakproof goggles my son’s swim team coach recommends, these are the 13 pool bag essentials we’ll be using all summer long, starting at $9.

Solar Buddies Duo Sunscreen Applicator For Kids

Applying sunscreen has always been a battle with my kids—until I let them do it on their own. After filling the base with your sunscreen of choice, this handy applicator allows kids to apply sunscreen themselves by simply rolling the brush across their skin. I love that it comes in different colors and a pack of two so that my kids each have their own. Now, they’re happy to apply their own sunscreen, which makes getting to swim lessons on time a whole lot easier!

Thinkkids Safe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

Speaking of sunscreen, I am a self-proclaimed sunscreen snob, and this Thinkkids SPF 50 mineral sunscreen is what I use on my kids. It’s highly rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and is free from parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and petroleum. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel sticky, and actually makes my kids’ skin feel hydrated (which is a plus after swimming in chlorinated water). 

Crocs Unisex Kids Crocband Clog

These Crocs clogs are my kids’ favorite water shoes. Though they can be pricey, their convenience, durability, and performance outweigh the cost in my opinion (and our editors agree). I love that my kids can slip into them after their lessons and that the tread is designed to resist a slippery pool deck. And thanks to Crocs’ waterproof material and ventilation ports, my kids wear them in the pool shower and during the car ride home without ever taking them off.

Crocs come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Best of all, they weigh just a few ounces, so it’s no trouble to tote them around in my Bogg bag.

Bogg Bag Original Tote

This sturdy, tip-proof bag easily holds everything we need for the pool. Measuring 19 x 15 x 9.5 inches, it resembles a giant Croc, which not only gives it a fun, stylish personality but makes it washable and waterproof. I love that the bottom is wrapped in non-slip treading (a must for a wet pool deck) and that it comes in a variety of sizes, bright colors, and prints. 

“As a toddler mom, I need to pack many things—and this bag can fit it all!” raved this one owner of an XL Bogg Bag. And I have to add, it’s truly impressive how much of my kids’ swimming gear this tote fits.

Speedo Child Goggles

There are lots of variations of goggles out there, but my son’s swim team coach recommends these Speedo Child Goggles. They fit snugly yet comfortably around his eyes to prevent water from pooling inside, and they’re easy for him to put on and take off by himself. I also like the split silicone head strap that allows me to adjust and position the goggles on my son’s head without tugging on his hair.

Burskit Clear Snacks Bag

I love finding affordable products that transform everyday items into treasures, and my kids are usually ravenous after a swim. This clear nylon bag with colorful chenille varsity letters makes even my kids’ snack bag a fun accessory, and it’s large enough to hold a week’s worth of munchies. Aside from looking cute, it’s also waterproof for safe, practical use by the pool and would be useful for packing a lunch for summer camp. 

Alvababy Wet Dry Bags

I used to stuff my kids’ wet bathing suits into a plastic grocery bag after a day at the pool, but once I discovered these Alvababy Wet Dry Bags, there was no looking back. These water-resistant bags have two large, zippered pockets—one for wet items and one for dry—that I use to hold their bathing suits, flippers, and goggles. I love that these bags have a snap-on handle, which makes them easy to attach to my Bogg Bag, and that you can fold them up into a tight ball when not in use.

Cat & Jack Long Sleeve Colorblock Rashguard Swimsuit 

Although it has a simple design, this rashguard swimsuit is anything but basic. It has long sleeves to provide extra sun protection and is made with a stretchy, recycled polyester blend fabric that has a UPF of 50+. While rashguards can be hard to take off when wet, this swimsuit has a front zipper that makes removing it a breeze. And if your kiddo is anything like mine, she may need to go potty in the middle of a swim lesson—in which case you’ll be thankful for this suit’s hidden crotch snap. 

Gugmoy Kids Swim Fins

We purchased this vibrant, colorful set of fins so that my son can always identify his among the pile of his teammates’ flippers. These fins are also smaller and more lightweight than most, which is especially helpful while my son is young. One shopper called them a “must-have for your swim bag” and added that their kids use them “every day” in the pool.

The fins are available in eight sizes and 39 colors. Plus, they come with a drawstring net bag to help them dry after use. 

Morfone Travel Bottles Set

One of my favorite parts about swim lessons is that we can get evening showers out of the way while we’re in the pool locker room. With this 16-pack of travel bottles, I can bring everything I need to bathe my kids, from shampoo and body wash to moisturizer, detangling spray, extra sunscreen, and Neosporin for accidental scrapes. The containers are made from flexible, BPA-free silicone and come with a set of stickers to label each as needed. 

Speedo Swimsuit Jammer

For my son, the biggest transition from swim lessons to swim team was wearing jammers instead of trunks. These Speedo jammers are not only comfortable, but they also improve his speed in the pool. The durable lycra fabric is resistant to fading from chlorine and provides superior UPF 50+ protection, though my favorite feature is the hidden drawstring waistband that makes it a custom fit for my kid.

Cotton On Kids Hooded Towel

As soon as my kids hop out of the pool, I wrap them in these cute hooded towels from Cotton On Kids. They’re available in several colorful prints, and my kids love the armholes that allow them to wear their towels like a poncho. Right now, you can buy two towels using the “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” sale or shop these $15 hooded Pillowfort towels at Target for a more affordable option. 

Furtalk Women’s Sun Visor

In addition to protecting my kids’ skin, I’m a fanatic about protecting my own. This wide-brimmed sun visor is my go-to pick for the outdoor pool because it shades my face and neck from the sun and has an opening in the back for my ponytail or bun. One Amazon shopper also loved that it allows them to wear their hair up without “trapping heat in” like a traditional hat. It also rolls up and easily fits into my purse or Bogg bag (you can even stash it in a suitcase!) while its adjustable strap in the back makes the fit just right. 

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