Three-digit temperature days are upon us, which means we are ready to hit the water! But it’s not easy to get out the door with a two little kids on a normal day, let alone special trips to the pool. Having a pre-packed pool bag is a must so we don’t forget our essentials.
I keep our bag hung in our front coat closet so that we can grab it and go with confidence that we aren’t forgetting anything. The only things I don’t pre-pack are food, drinks, and my wallet but I’ll also share how I pack those, too!
The bag I’m using in these photos came from Target but is no longer sold. This a similar one. Another bag I’ve had my eye on for awhile is this one from Scout — they always have the cutest summer patterns. Both bags are large, open styles that can hold a bunch of stuff which is perfect for the pool.
The larger items we bring get thrown into the bag in the neatest way possible and I take advantage of looping things on the bag’s handles. Smaller items then get divided into a hanging toiletry organizer so they aren’t rolling loosely around in the bag — it’s such a genius hack I’m so excited to share it!
Items in the bag:
- Towels
- Puddle Jumper (order these early in the season unless you won’t have luck finding them!)
- Wet bag
- Water shoes
- Kid’s water bottles
- My sun hat
- My husband’s sun hat
- Toiletry organizer for small items
- My wallet (don’t forget cash if your pool doesn’t take cards)
- Pool passes (loop these on a ring or key leash so you have easy access)
Items in the organizer:
I can’t stress how happy this makes me. Pulling this out of the pool bag makes me feel like a mom who truly has her shit together. If you ever see me at the pool and need something for yourself or the kids, I got enough for all of us!
- Sun screen
- Baby sun screen
- After sun lotion
- Bug spray
- Hair brush
- Detangler spray
- Wet Ones wipes
- Clorox wipes
- Glasses wipes
- Stain remover wipes
- Dr. Bronner’s soap (for showering before we leave)
- Mints
- Q-tips
- Bandaids (waterproof ones!)
- Neosporin
- Hand sanitizer
- SPF chapstick
- Advil
- Hand lotion
In other pouches:
In addition to my beloved toiletry organizer, I have small pouches for other things. This way, I can grab only the pouch I need and everything else stays separated and organized. I use two sizes of pouches for this bag: larger ones and slim ones, in them I keep…
- Goggles and pool toys — Once they’re older I’m sure we’ll have more, especially diving toys.
- Sunglasses — I keep a pair for everyone in here. My husband’s and mine were just a couple dollars from Walmart and these ones are Addie’s and these ones are Leo’s.
- Sun hats and reusable swim diapers.
In the cooler:
Of course we also bring a cooler full of drinks and snacks and we keep it pretty simple. If we ever feel like we need more food, ordering pizza to the pool is a great idea!
- PB&J sandwich (just one for Leo, Addie is too young)
- Sodas or adult drinks if they’re allowed
- Fruit
- Cheese sticks
- Applesauce pouches
- Bottles & formula (I fill Addie’s bottles with powder formula and then I bring some waters to make the bottles later on. I’ll leave a water in the sun so its warm by the time she needs it)
- Easy snack tray using my favorite Bentgo box filled with fruit and crackers (mostly for Leo, but mom and dad snack on it too. We will bring a second one when Addie is old enough)
What am I missing here? I feel pretty well prepared but all you moms out there always have great ideas, too. I’ve only been doing this mom thing for two years, so I’m sure there’s lots I haven’t though of.
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