Here is the thing about pool bag must-haves: there are a lot of lists out there telling you exactly what you need, and honestly? Most of it is not that serious. If you pack the right stuff, your kids will entertain themselves and you might actually get to sit down for five minutes. I am all about keeping it simple and only bringing what we genuinely reach for every single time. These are my real pool bag essentials, including some of my favorites for staying sun-protected and actually enjoying the day.
I put together an Amazon list with 10 of my top picks, and I want to walk you through each one because I think context matters. Some of these I have used for years. Some are newer obsessions. All of them have earned their spot in my bag.
BOGG LARGE TOTE
I have tried a lot of pool bags over the years. A lot. And even though it is expensive and very talked about, I keep coming back to the Bogg large tote. The square shape is perfect for towels, it holds so much, and when it gets gross (because it will), I can wipe it out or spray it down with the hose. It is just easy. Why reinvent the wheel when something already works this well?
SUPERGOOP SUNSCREEN
Okay, I resisted Supergoop for a long time because the price felt ridiculous to me. I get it. But now that I have actually used it, I totally understand the hype. The Glow Gloss is a 40 SPF lip product that gives you a little color without ever drying your lips out. As someone in her 30s who is slowly losing natural lip color (so fun, highly recommend aging), I love having something that makes me look a little more alive while also protecting my lips. My girls have started using it too, and I am totally fine with that because sunburned lips are no joke.
For the rest of the face, I am a big fan of the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. I have talked about it a lot in stories because it really is that good. And for the kids, the Supergoop Glow Stick has been a game-changer. My kids protest sunscreen constantly, and all of them, even Mason, stood still for this one without complaint. That alone makes it worth every penny.
I have also become a real lotion sunscreen convert lately. I know spray is convenient, but I feel like we go through a bottle in two pool days and half of it ends up in the wind. Lotion lasts longer, you can actually control where it goes, and the kids are less likely to breathe it in. I have a big bottle at home and keep a smaller one in the bag for outings.
KOPARI BODY MIST SUNSCREEN
The Kopari body mist is technically a sunscreen, but it also gives your legs this subtle shimmer that makes you look a little glowy, a little tan, and honestly like you might have done a squat or two recently. It is not over the top at all. It just makes you feel good, and I think that matters on a pool day when you are already juggling sunscreen applications and snack requests.
NO-LEAK SWIM GOGGLES
I did not wear goggles once as a child. Not once. My kids act like their lives are over without them. I do not know what that says about our generation gap, but here we are. These goggles come in a two-pack for around $7 each, and we have been using this same style for three summers now. They fit well, the clasp in the back does not stretch out or get tangled in hair, and you can adjust them easily. The bandana-style ones we tried before lasted exactly one summer before giving out. These have proven themselves. They live permanently in the pool bag so we never accidentally forget them and cause a meltdown.
HYDROJUG TUMBLER
Nothing groundbreaking here, but the HydroJug tumbler with a straw is my go-to. I specifically skip the handle version because it is bulky and does not fit in my bag as well. This one is sleek, does not spill, and keeps drinks cold for hours.
JBL PORTABLE WATERPROOF SPEAKER
jbl portable waterproof speaker
For music, we love the JBL portable waterproof speaker. The pool usually has its own music going, but for lake days it is a must. It hooks right onto the bag and sounds great outside.
WIDE-BRIM BEACH HAT
I am a big believer in covering as much of my face as possible, and I have had this wide-brim beach hat from Amazon for about seven years. They have updated it since I got mine, but the key features are all still there: it rolls up, does not wrinkle, does not get smashed in the bag, and covers my face completely. It is genuinely one of the best things I have ever bought.
CLEAR FLAT POUCH
I keep a small interior bag inside the pool bag just for the small stuff: the lip gloss, the sunscreen sticks, the sunglasses wipes. It keeps everything from sinking to the bottom and actually getting used instead of lost.
CHOMPS
For snacks, I have been loving Chomps for pool days. They do not need to be frozen or kept cold, they are high in protein, and they actually keep the kids full so I am not getting hit with snack shack requests every 20 minutes.
DIVING TOYS
Less is more with pool toys, too. A few diving sticks or rings, maybe a ball for the older kids to toss around, and that is honestly all you need. They will figure out the rest.
+++
If you have the stuff you actually need, the kids will just have fun on their own. You do not need a bag packed to the brim with every trending pool product. Keep it simple, keep it stocked with the right things, and actually enjoy your summer. You can find my full list of pool bag must-haves here!
If you liked this post…
View Comments +