Must-Have Essentials for Mom’s Pool or Beach Bag

What do you keep in your beach bag? Staying cool in the south is essential during these long summer months. The best place to be is lounging beside the pool or relaxing on the coast. When you are a mom, a quick trip to the pool is anything but simple. You need to bring so much pool and beach gear that it can be overwhelming.

Traveling with kids can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of the essentials every mom needs for a successful trip to the pool or beach. We research popular products from trusted brands that meet our rigorous review process. We also try to provide various options that will meet the differing needs of our audience.

For the Pool + Beach

SWIMWEAR – Quality swimwear that will last all summer and provide extra sun protection is essential. Use a swimsuit and rash guard with UPF to provide extra protection from the sun. Body Glove has swimwear for both girls and boys that provide UPF 50+ UV protection.

PADDLE PAL LIFE JACKET – Safety is essential at the pool. The Body Glove Paddle Pal Life Jacket meets the U.S. Coast Guard’s standards of quality providing safety and security for kids and children in water-based activities.

SUNSCREEN – Choose a kid-safe sunscreen that is a mineral-based lotion. Lotions provide better coverage than sprays. Select a sunscreen like Thinkbaby SPF 50+ because it is water-resistant, reef-safe, and provides effective SPF 50+ sun protection.

KID SUNGLASSES – Protect your kids’ eyes with UV-protected sunglasses. The Rivbos sunglasses provide full protection against UVA, UVB, and harmful blue light. Each pair of glasses comes with a strap to prevent kids from losing them.

KID SUN HAT – A hat keeps the sun off the face and head. The Connectyle Outdoor Sun Hat provides UPF 50+ sun protection from damaging UV rays. The moisture-wicking sweatband with mesh airflow vents keeps heads cool. The adjustable chin cord keeps your hat safe and secure on a windy day.

GOGGLES – Goggles help protect your child’s eyes from irritating pool chemicals. These Speedo Kids Goggles are easy to use and comfortable for kids. They have an easy-to-adjust toggle that provides a quick adjustment to secure the goggles to your little one’s head.

TOWELS – Quick drying and slim-fitting Turkish towels are the way to go. They are lightweight, take up less space in your bag, and dry more quickly.

POOL and BEACH BAG – A large bag that can hold everything for the entire family is a must. The SCOUT 3 girl or 4 boys totes are extra large utility totes that are lightweight yet extremely durable. Alternatively, this Mesh beach bag is very spacious and has a built-in cooler on the bottom.

ORGANIZING POUCHES – Keep all of your goggles, sunscreen, swim diapers, and snacks stored neatly in separate bags. The 30-piece mesh zipper pouches are perfect for keeping everything you need in its right place.

POOL + BEACH TOYS – Kids will spend hours playing in the sand at the beach if you give them a handful of beach toys. This beach toy collection comes with a mesh storage bag. Pool toys are also a must-have. This diving set will keep kids entertained.

BEACH WAGON – When you have a lot of stuff to haul out to the beach, you should get a beach wagon. The large wheels of this wagon make it easier to maneuver over the sand. It can easily hold all of your beach supplies.

BEACH CHAIRS – Find the perfect spot on the beach with a Tommy Bahama beach chair. This chair is lightweight and easy to carry with backpack shoulder straps. It adjusts to 5 different reclining positions and includes a built-in bottle opener, zippered accessory pouch, and insulated cup holder.

BEACH SHADE – Let the wind do all the work with a Shibumi Shade. The Shibumi Shade weighs only 4 lbs and can be easily set up by one person. It’s made in the USA and provides UPF 50+ sun protection.