The best part about working in education, is no surprise, summers off! I love more than anything getting to spend that time with my kids. One of my kids favorite summer activities is the swimming pool. We are lucky enough to have a community pool that is walking distance from our house. I used to only go when Eric was home, but I’ve learned what it takes to make a pool day actually enjoyable… even when it’s just me and the kids.
That’s right—I’m doing it solo this summer.
I packed the sunscreen, the snacks, the floaties, the towels and the toys… and I took both kids to the pool—by myself. I tried it twice last year, but hadn’t attempted yet this year. Was I nervous to do it again? Absolutely…!
Was it chaotic? A little
Did someone cry? Of course
Did I forget something? Obviously
But did we survive? We did! We also laughed, splashed, and made a memory.
Sometimes the hardest part is just trying, especially when you’re outnumbered.
But today, I showed myself that I can do hard things.
And my kids got to see that too. It took courage the first time (and the third), but now we’ve got a little rhythm going and so, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help make your own pool days smoother.
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The Pool Must Haves
Here’s what I always toss in my pool bag:
- Towels for everyone; but let’s be honest 9 times out of 10 I forget one for myself!
- Hats + sunglasses for everyone
- Swim shirts, when that sun starts to feel too hot
- Waters (take one look at the picture and it’s no secret we are a Stanley family)
- All the sunscreens – spray, cream, face
- A portable fan, because you never know if you are going to need it
- Goggles
- Pool toys
- Bubbles – we threw them in there once and now a bottle always comes
- Floatie
Changing Clothes & Clean-Up
If we are going to the neighborhood pool, we suck it up and take a wet walk home. If we are going to a friends, or to another pool, we always bring a few things to make life a little easier:
- Dry clothes for the ride home
- A wet bag for soaked stuff
- Hair brush and detangler spray (because post-pool hair has no mercy)
Strong Snack Game
Snacks are my love language on pool days (or amusement park days, or road trips or movie nights, you name it and we snack). I love my soft cooler bag, it’s the perfect size and light enough for me to carry. Here are some things I put inside:
- Pre-peeled oranges, watermelon slices, and pouches for the kids
- Chips and hummus (for them… but mostly me)
- Cheese Sticks
- The kids are really big into Cheez-Its right now
- Popsicles – MOM HACK! Add a few ice cubes to the bottom of your favorite stainless steel water bottle, fill it will popsicles (freeze pops if you need more than 2 or 3), and screw back on the lid!
Today at the pool, we decided to do lunch, so on top of some snacks I also packed sandwiches. One day, I want to be the “let’s order pizza to the pool” family, but that’s more than likely something that would happen if Eric was with me too! Can you imagine making the kids get out of the pool to wait in the hot parking lot for the pizza guy?
Setting Up Camp
I like to get to the pool early to snag a good spot – ideally a table in the shade! This gives us a home-base, shade if the kids need a break, and some place to relax for a few minutes to eat lunch or snacks. If we can’t get a table, we shoot for a spot under an umbrella to at least keep our cooler/drinks out of the sun.
Our Pool Day Rules
- Sunscreen – no exceptions. The kids have started wanting to put it on their faces themselves, which is a blessing and a curse – yay independence, boo the fight it still causes when I have to add more or rub it in better
- One sweet treat either a popsicle at the pool or something when we get home (if we get out of the pool without me having to drag them out kicking and screaming
- If a meltdown happens, we pause and reset out of the pool
- Everyone helps carry something when we leave – even if it’s just one toy.
- We talk about what our favorite thing was that happened at the pool
Why It’s Worth It
Pool days aren’t always picture-perfect. There are spills, sunburns, and someone always forgets their goggles. But there’s also laughter, bravery, cannonballs, and sweet little glimpses of independence.
Doing it alone with two kids (or one or four) can feel intimidating. But each time I do, I grow a little more confident—and so do they.
And that’s what these days are all about: showing up, soaking it in, and making memories.
📥 Save the graphic for your own pool day essentials list!
💬 Your turn!
What’s your must-have pool bag item? Or your funniest pool day story? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Interested in More Summer Must Haves?
Check out our Summer Travel Must Haves for Families