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My Pool & Hot Tub Must-Haves 🛁

47 items

Elizabeth Dean

These are my ride-or-die pool & hot tub picks! Everything in this list is something I’ve personally used, tested, and loved. From floating loungers and spa care tools to heaters, covers, and fun extras - I’ve filmed quick videos to show you exact...

Sections

Pool Floaties, Games and More Fun!

Backyard Pools As Kids Age

Pool Maintenance

Winterizing The Pool

Hot Tubbing!

Pool Floaties, Games and More Fun!

My 4-year-old and I used this together and couldn’t stop smiling - this scooter is SO fun. It’s powerful but safe, super easy to control, and the best part? We mounted a camera and caught every underwater moment. If you’ve got a pool or love explorin... Here's a video of my family using it in Anguilla, in the pool, and on the lake. Countless hours of fun. I cannot recommend this enough! amazon.com/live/video/03b7af186e65437a935b848d2fe8e05c?ref=cm_sw_al_0zxOEsuHEnBpg

Sublue Mix Underwater Scooter w/ Camera Mount

These have officially become our kids' favorite summer toy - no messy balloon bits to clean up, and no filling station battles! We've used them at the pool, in the yard, and even at the beach. They refill themselves in a second and seal up like magic...

Reusable Water Bomb Balloons, 16 Pack, Kids Water Toy

We've already blown through five bottles of sunscreen in just two weeks since the kids got out of school for summer - so this gallon jug of SPF 50 was a no-brainer. Buying in bulk saves us so much money, especially with how often we're reapplying at ...

Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 Sunscreen 128oz

We brought this to a pool party last summer and the kids (and let’s be honest - adults too) couldn’t stop playing with it. It dribbles underwater like a basketball and makes every game more fun - football, keep-away, you name it. Super durable, easy ...

Watermelon Ball JR - Durable Pool Toy for Games

These lights completely transformed our pool at night. The colors are bold, the app is easy to use, and I love that they sync to music during parties. I installed it myself in minutes- no drilling, no hassle - and it's stayed secure all summer long. ...

20W Smart RGB LED Pool Light, APP Control

These stingray gliders are a total hit with the kids - every time we bring them out, it turns into an underwater stunt show. They zoom, spin, and even boomerang when you tweak the fins. Super fun for summer pool days, and honestly, even the grown-ups...

Aqua Pool & Lawn Toys, Summer Party Fun

These inflatable battle logs are ridiculously fun- we brought them to the pool and instantly had a full-on jousting tournament with the kids. They’re surprisingly sturdy, super easy to inflate, and they actually stay filled even after getting knocked...

Inflatable Battle Logs Joust Game Raft

These foam blasters are a summer essential! We’ve had full-on water wars with the kids using these, and they’re surprisingly powerful for how light they are. They float, they’re easy to reload - even the adults were in on the action! Total win for po...

Fun-Here Water Guns 6 Pack, Foam Soakers

Level up the pool and hot tub fun with music!

Portable Bluetooth Pool Speaker with Lights

We brought this underwater treasure game to the pool and it was such a hit with the kids! The waterproof cards held up great, and watching them dive for gems and match the shapes was way more fun (and quieter 😅) than I expected. Perfect mix of swimm...

4-in-1 Underwater Seek & Find Gems Game

We brought these skip balls to the lake last weekend and couldn’t stop laughing - my kids (and let’s be real, the adults too) had the best time racing to see who could skip it the farthest. They’re way more durable than others we’ve tried, float like...

Activ Life Ultimate Skip Ball 2 Pack - Water Bouncing Ball

We grabbed this 4-pack of inflatable surfboards for our last pool party and they instantly leveled up the vibe - tropical, colorful, and super cute in every photo! They’re not for floating on, but they made amazing beachy decor and the kids loved pre...

36 Inch Inflatable Surf Board Pool Float

We've had these inflatable loungers for two summers now and they're still our go-to pool floaties for lazy afternoons! The mesh center keeps you cool while floating, and the built-in headrest and footrest make it ridiculously comfortable. Love that t...

Pool Floats Lounger 2 Pack Inflatable Adult

If you're trying to keep your pool cooler and more fun during the heat of summer, this whale tail fountain is a total game-changer. It creates a wide spray that instantly transforms your backyard into a refreshing oasis while helping drop the water t...

Pool Fountains for Above and In-ground Pools

Tired of getting out of the pool or hot tub every time you want a sip? This floating drink holder solves that - holding up to 50 lbs of drinks, snacks, sunscreen, or whatever else you need right beside you. It's not just practical, it's a vibe - perf...

Floating Drink Holder

This is a no brainer for a baby that can sit.

Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable UV Shade

Backyard Pools As Kids Age

This is hands down one of our best warm-weather buys. The canopy keeps the sun off their face, the seat is super stable, and they love playing with the rings while splashing. Perfect for backyard hangs or a chill beach day with littles!

Ages 6-24 Months

We used this for Rainier when he was a baby. I like this because it provides shade for baby and is super cute - mushrooms and all!

Ages 1 to 3 - Mushroom Baby Pool

I recommend this inflatable kiddie pool because it’s packed with fun - there’s a mini slide, splash pad, sprinkler, and even a floating gator. It connects easily to a garden hose and is made from durable PVC, so it holds up all summer long. Perfect f...

Ages 2+

This inflatable dinosaur play center turns any backyard into a mini water park with a slide, waterfall, palm tree sprayer, and colorful balls built right in. It’s made from durable vinyl with a soft landing mat for safety, offering hours of imaginati...

Ages 2+

If you’ve got littles at home and a backyard begging for summer fun, this inflatable rainbow play center is one of those magical all-in-one setups that keeps kids entertained for hours. The slide, built-in sprayer, and colorful games like ring toss a...

Ages 2+

As a mom with kids who’ve graduated from the toddler stage, I still remember which products made those early summers easier - and this Sun Shade Pool was one of them. It’s the perfect size for younger toddlers to safely splash around without feeling ...

Ages 3+

I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on inflatable kiddie pools over the years. And as my kids got older (and a whole lot rougher on the pools), I can’t tell you how many I’ve patched, repaired, or just straight up tossed by mid-summer. The frustration is ...

Ages 3+

We used this pool for about two summers - and here’s what I learned the hard way: once you start moving up to deeper inflatable pools, you need one with a filter pump. Without it, you’ll be draining and scrubbing algae every few days (ask me how I kn...

Ages 5+

After the 30" Intex pool, we were ready for something deeper as our boys got older and more adventurous in the water. We used this 15' x 42" version for one summer, and it was a solid step up. It gave us the extra depth and space we wanted without di...

Ages 6+

After many summers of experimenting with different inflatable and above-ground pools- and a steep learning curve when it came to filtration systems and chemical maintenance- we were finally ready to invest in something more permanent. This 18-foot Ul...

Ages 7+

Pool Maintenance

We upgraded the pool filter that came with our Intex pools and haven't looked back. This one is powerful enough and actually gets the job done!

Hayward W3S166T ProSeries 16in Sand Filter

We Save So Much Money On These Buying Them In Bulk! It will last use more than one summer!

50 lb Bucket of 3 Inch Stabilized Chlorine Tablets for Pools

This is hands-down the best pool investment we’ve made. After using it all last summer, I barely had to touch a manual vacuum - it tackles the floor, walls, and waterline like a pro. It’s powerful, smart, and actually fun to watch do its thing. Worth...

AIPER Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

We’ve used this solar pool ionizer for two full summers now and I’ve never once had a green pool - even when I totally forgot to add more chlorine tablets. It just works, and it’s quietly saved us so much time and money on upkeep. Honestly can’t imag...

Solar Pool Ionizer - Cleans Up to 45,000 Gal

We’ve loved using this by the pool the last two summers. It’s perfect for the kids’ goggles, sunscreen, and all their little pool toys. It keeps everything organized and off the ground, and it actually stays put! Super handy and totally worth it.

Poolside Thickened Storage Basket, Ivory

I’ve used this skimmer for two summers now and it seriously saves me hours of cleanup. It keeps the top of our pool clear of leaves and bugs without me having to scoop every day. It even catches the tiny stuff the kids bring in from the yard.

Above Ground Pool Floating Surface Skimmer

They soak up all the greasy sunscreen, scum, and mystery gunk that used to float on the surface. I just toss one in and forget it - my spa stays way cleaner, and I can reuse them over and over. Total must-have if your kids swim as much as mine do.

2 Pack Scumbug Oil-Absorbing Sponge

This skimmer is a beast. I’ve used it all summer to scoop up leaves, bugs, and even tiny bits of dirt from the bottom of the pool- no problem. It’s lightweight but super tough, and the deep net means I don’t have to empty it constantly. I wish I’d bo...

Professional Pool Skimmer Net Heavy Duty Leaf Rake

We used these the first few years learning pool chemicals and such. We've gotten to the point that we fortunately haven't used these even once this year, including opening after spring. But they are reliable and easy to read.

Pool & Spa Test Strips 150 Pack 3-in-1 Kit

Great tablet floater we use for our pool!

Pool & Spa Floating Dispenser Collapsible Floater

Winterizing The Pool

This has been a must-have for protecting our above ground pool through two Utah winters. It helps prevent ice damage and keeps the cover from sagging. Plus cleanup in the spring is way easier since debris slides to the sides instead of collecting in ...

Pool Pillows Above Ground Pools 4x15 ft

This little pill makes closing the pool so much easier. I’ve used it two winters in a row and both times opened to crystal clear water in the spring. No gross green surprise and barely any cleanup. Definitely one of the easiest steps in our pool clos...

AquaPill WinterPill Pool Clarifier 30K Gal

I wish I had this pool cover sooner. The built-in ratchets make it so easy to install solo, and even in windy Utah weather, it stays put. After two summers of use, our pool stays cleaner, heats up faster during the day, and I barely have to fish out ...

Pool Cover for Blow Up Pool with Ratchet & Clips

Hot Tubbing!

If you’re looking for a more luxurious backyard upgrade, this Intex Greystone Deluxe 6-Person Spa is a fantastic option. It features a built-in FastFill system for easy setup, a wireless control panel, and even app control via Wi-Fi for managing sett...

Greystone Deluxe Spa Set w/ Cover & Wireless Control

If you’ve got an inflatable hot tub like the Lay-Z-Spa or Coleman, having extra Type VI filters on hand is non-negotiable. The dirt-locking tech really does help capture way more gunk than cheaper options, and they rinse clean easily, saving you mone...

Hot Tub Filter Replacement

If you're looking to turn your hot tub into a mini spa escape, these crystals are a perfect addition. These aromatherapy crystals are infused with vitamins, minerals, and natural extracts designed to relax, restore, and uplift - great after a long da...

Relax Therapies Crystals for Spa and Hot Tubs

Makes night time hot tubbing more fun!

Hot Tub Lights

Hands Free Hot Tubbing!

Inflatable Spa Drink Holder Tray - 2 Caddy

Our Hot Tub Chemicals We've Used For Years!

Bromine Tablets for Hot Tub & Spa

Super comfortable addition!

Padded Pillows

Cute hot tub towel rack!

Towel Hooks Rack for Hot Tub & Bathroom