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The Best Pool Toys for Kids (2021) – Top 11 Picks

Isn’t it a great feeling when you first buy a pool and see the excited faces of your family? Sure it is, and when it comes to children, the first thing they want to do is buy pool toys for those glorious weekend afternoons.

Pool toys make an already fun experience of splashing around in a pool even better.

You can find a wide variety of pool toys and accessories, from high-end products to dollar store merchandise. But there’s simply too many of these products to sort through on your own. That’s why we decided to list the best pool toys for kids, according to a consensus of bloggers, reviewers, and best-selling products.

In this article, we’re going to review the best pool toys in several different categories and then determine which products work best for different age groups. By the end of our guide, you’re going to know what you need to start your backyard water theme park.

11 Best Pool Toys for Kids

As we begin our reviews, notice that we’ve divided each review into three sections: what the toy does, the pros of buying the item, and possible cons.

These “cons” don’t mean anything is wrong with the product but could indicate a future issue. (For example, when the toy is age-specific) We’ve also included a direct link to the product for more details.

Melissa & Doug Spark Shark Fish Hunt

Melissa & Doug Spark Shark Fish Hunt is a toss and catch game that sees players swim through the pool to scoop up six different sinkers. One to seven players can play at a time using two shark nets and six fish sinkers of two different colors, yellow and orange. This net game encourages children to develop gross motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

Fade-resistant materials are made to last and hold up to sunlight and chlorine, while polyester nets and plastic frame hold up under pressure. The Melissa and Doug Spark brand also has similar pool toys and characters for sale that children will love, such as Louie Lobster, Taffy Turtle, and Maritime Mates Boat Parade.

Betheaces Water Guns

Oops! Looks like this toy is sold out.

How can you have a pool without water guns? The Betheaces water gun toy makes it easy for kids to spray their friends, thanks to foam material and a lightweight, easy-to-carry blaster piece. Unlike most water guns, these brightly colored shooters float in the water because of padding and ABS plastic pieces. Children will find them more comfortable to use than bulkier water guns.

The solid construction of Beatheaces blasters also prevents leaking problems. These blasters measure 14.8 x 24.8 x 1.77 and come in colors of yellow, green, and blue. Children can pump water quickly and fire away at a long distance, even for larger swimming pools.

Users “load” the water gun by dipping the nozzle directly into the water and then pulling the handle until it reaches the longest point. Push forward and fire away – up to thirty feet!

GoFloats Unicorn Pool Float Party Tube Inflatable

The GoFloats Unicorn Pool Float Party Tube Inflatable is a fun and colorful toy that can help children learn to swim or simply float in a pool for hours of relaxation. The unicorn theme of the float keeps things fun since it comes with an almost horse-sized body, a rainbow-colored mane and tail, and a horn on top.

The toy’s exclusive rapid valve technology allows an inflation/deflation time of 10x faster than other similar floats. At 45 inches wide, three feet tall, and a 500 pound-rated base, anyone can enjoy a smooth float, and it only takes two minutes instead of a half-hour to fill it up.

The UV treated grade vinyl raft is also thicker than most other floats by 25x, meaning it’s great for a pool, though it can also float in a lake or river.

Swimways Baby Spring Float Activity Center

Swimways Baby Spring Float Activity Center is not merely a “float” – it’s a complete activity center for a small child or baby. Your kid sits safely in the middle while a happy octopus rotates 360 degrees around, behind, to the side, and in front.

Each of the octopus’ arms holds separate toys for the baby to grab, such as a squeaker, rattle, ring, and star. The activity float center is large, measuring 34x30x20.5 and yet still easily folds up for storage.

Once you set up the center, the product’s safety valves, dual air chambers, and a unique inner-spring mechanism keep things safe. The canopy includes mesh sides, but also provides 50+ UPF protection against sunlight.

SwimWays Finding Dory Dive and Catch Game

The SwimWays Finding Dory Dive and Catch Game is going to be a favorite for any kid who loved the Finding Nemo and Finding Dory movies.

This Disney-themed dive and catch game features a net and toss challenge with characters baby Dory, Nemo, Sheldon, and others. Children swim and catch the Finding Nemo characters with the Mr. Ray net.

What’s neat about this set is that each character sinks and floats at different depths in the pool, making it more of a challenge, and great practice for swimming lessons. The collection comes with one net and five characters.

Intex Pool Volleyball Game

The Intex Pool Volleyball Game turns your pool into a water volleyball court, using a large and anchored set that’s still inflatable and lightweight. The inflatable set measures 94x25x36 and come with anchor bags to keep the float steady and in a fixed position. The set also includes a floating net and inflatable beach “volleyball,” as well as a repair kit and shelf box.

The material is 10-gauge vinyl (and a 7-gauge ball), meaning this is a durable quality of material and can take a pounding while still keeping air. Children over the age of eight and their parents can both enjoy this competitive game.

The grommeted pole bases can also carry added anchor weight in case you need secure positioning at the bottom of the pool.

Swimline Giant Shootball Basketball Hoop

The Swimline Giant Shootball Basketball Hoop takes a child’s love of basketball and throws it on top of the pool! The 36x45x36 float is sturdy and inflatable, constructed from heavy-gauge vinyl that ensures durability. The floating hoop also has multi-ports just in case a small group of children wants to play at the same time.

Numbers on the inflatable basketball hoop can range from 50 to 100 to 75 and 500. If your older children, ages seven and up, love basketball and swimming, then the Swimline Basketball Hoop is an ideal pool toy. The unit also includes an instruction manual that explains how to work the valve for maximum inflation.

COOP Hydro Lacrosse Game Set

The COOP Hydro Lacrosse Game Set gives your children the chance to learn the sport of lacrosse on water. Since the 17th century, we’ve been enjoying the game of lacrosse. Now players can catch, scoop, cradle, and throw the ball back and forth inside of a pool.

The set comes with two lacrosse sticks, available in a few colors of red, blue, and green, as well as a softball. Each lacrosse stick is a durable foam piece that’s comfortable to hold and built to last. Lacrosse is easy to learn, and this particular COOP game set will appeal to children ages five and up.

SwimWays Star Wars BB-8 Inflatable Pool Toy

If you’re going to get a pool toy for the kids, how can you not tribute Star Wars? Kids today love Star Wars, just like you did back when Yoda was first, well, green! Besides, if your children keep up with the newest trilogy, they will immediately recognize the BB-8 droid.

This droid raft is made from PVC inflatable material and is water weighted to ensure stability, even when you’re playing with the raft. To stabilize the float with water weight, simply fill the water cavity before inflating the float unit with air. This 28x28x36 toy is okay for children ages five and up.

The droid float moves like the character in the movies, floating on its side, and is a life-size recreation fun for the whole family.

Intex Explorer 200

The Intex Explorer 200 is not only a fun pool toy for older kids, but it’s also a great “starter” gift, just as fun to use in a pool as it is to take out to a small lake. The two-person boat has two air chambers with double valves, plastic parts for durability, and an inflatable floor for a rigid base.

Using a set of oars, you can race against other explorers or cruise around your pool at your own leisurely pace. The explorer 200 has plastic parts as well as oarlocks that come welded on for extra security. There’s even a grab rope on the bow of the boat.

Fin Fun Monofin Mermaid Tails for Swimming

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Monofin Fin Fun Mermaid Tails come in both adult and children’s sizes, but kids will love it even more than their parents – especially if they’re a fan of Disney and the Little Mermaid! These mermaid tails are not only fun to try but safe, comfortable, and also a helpful swimming accessory.

Swim faster and with enhanced protection thanks to a reinforced tail, so powerful it’s backed by a warranty. The Monofin technology lets you glide through the pool naturally and smoothly. Simply remove the tail with a slight pull and kick. Kids ages six and up can enjoy these tails made from quality fabric that can hold up in saltwater, or in the sun, or chlorine.

How to Keep Children Safe Around Pools

Just because these pool toys have age recommendations doesn’t mean a risk of injury doesn’t exist. Statistically speaking, over 7,000 water injuries occur every year. Most of the age guidelines exist because of small parts or challenging to manage equipment.

Common sense and a cautious attitude from parents can help prevent pool injuries. Emphasize to your entire family the rules about pools and pool toys, including:

• Always have an adult nearby when kids play, preferably one that knows how to swim and knows CPR
• Ban running around the pool and wrestling or roughhousing inside the pool
• Put pool toys away after playing, to avoid tripping hazards
• Barricade the pool, with a fence of at least four feet tall; lock access to the pool unless you let visitors inside
• Explain the pool rules to children and make sure they see you sticking to the same rules
• Check the water depth to make sure diving doesn’t cause injury
• Make sure everyone in the pool can swim or at least has a life jacket if they swim to the deeper side of the pool
• Ban alcohol or drug consumption before swimming
• Consider investing in a pool alarm that automatically lets you know if someone falls inside
• Wear sunscreen and tell others to do the same

Final Thoughts

Encourage children to keep fit and have fun this summer with swimming pool sports and other toys that offer a challenge. We’ve reviewed some of the best pool products for kids so that you can fast-forward to the most exciting toys.

Younger kids that can’t swim on their own will love some of these toys that invite them to the party. Older children want something fun and competitive to do in the water, something that encourages them to show off their swimming skills.

Treasure your family time together this summer and remember to take some GoPro video footage to remember these precious moments.