Pool toys can be a great way to enhance your swimming activities. Whether you have a pool in your backyard or like to go to the public one, a few choice toys can transform the space into an incredible place to hang out.
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A good pool game or set of toys can make some of the most memorable summer moments for you and your family! Try these Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families or check out our Summer Planner For Kids with everything you need for a boredom-free summer.
But what are some of the best pool toys you can buy? If you’re wondering about this, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll outline 7 of the best pool toys we could find.
We’re going to break these down for you with a handy list of pros and cons, with three sections to cover toys for small kids, bigger kids, teenagers, and adults.
We’ve also included an extensive buyer’s guide to help you make the right choices, as well as a short frequently asked questions section that will help explain some of the most common questions around pool toys.
So let’s get right into it!
Best For Small Kids
This first section is going to focus on a trio of products suitable for kids from the ages of 4 to 8 years old.
1. Max Fun Pool Float inflatable Hoops and Ball Games
First up, we have a great set that gives you a selection of different games to check out. It has great value for money since it includes an inflatable basketball hoop and basketball, an inflatable cross-ring toss frame as well as 8 inflatable rings.
If you’re looking for a game set that allows for a few different games while challenging your child’s hand-eye coordination, then this could be a great choice for you!
It’s made from high-quality materials, ensuring that it’s child safe and non-toxic. Each part of this set is easy to set up and will allow you to start playing games after a small bit of setup.
Another thing we liked is that it comes with a bag to pack it all away and a pump is included. This means that setting it up and packing it back down is easy.
Pros
- Non-Toxic And Child Safe: Designed with high-quality materials to ensure they’re safe for your family.
- Versatility: Basketball and hoop toss games in one set.
- Pump Included: You don’t have to worry about purchasing this separately.
Cons
- Setup Time: Inflatable, so it takes some time to set up.
2. Watermelon Ball Pool Toy
Looking for a fun ball that you can use in various ways? This inflatable watermelon’s unique design means that when it’s filled up with water, it allows you to play ball games underwater.
The junior version here has been designed for kids to use and enjoy, coming in two different sizes—6.5 inches and 9 inches.
It comes with an improved grippy design, making it more suitable for kids between the ages of 4 and 8 years old.
It’s a great toy to use for pool parties, and you can use it to play a variety of different ball games.
Filling the balloon up with water is easy enough; all you have to do is attach your garden hose to the included adapter and pump it full of water!
Pros
- Unique Design: Allows you to play a variety of ball games underwater.
- Junior Version For Kids: With an extra-grippy design!
- Hose Adapter And Filling Needles Included: Makes it easy to set up and fill with water.
Cons
- Heat Resistance: Not the best for really hot environments or extended direct sunlight.
3. Light-Up Pool Dolphins
Next up, we have these amazing light-up pool dolphins. They are a great way to decorate your pool and give your kids something cool to play with.
They come with a stand that allows them to stand up straight in the water, bouncing back up to a straight position no matter how much you push.
They’re also light up and designed to glow for up to 200 hours—perfect for late summer nights in the pool after the sun goes down.
If you’re worried about the electrical components, then you should know that these are created with high-quality PVC plastic and waterproof materials to work, no matter the weather or how much it’s submerged.
If you just want a set of cool-looking decorations for your pool—perhaps for a pool party—then these are also going to be a great pick for you!
Pros
- Standup-Design: These light-up dolphins double up as inflatable toys but also as decorations for your pool.
- Light-Up: Waterproof design and over 200 hours of charge!
- Batteries Included: 6 batteries included that last up to 72 hours each.
- Remote: Remote control is included so you can turn them on or off.
Cons
- Light: They don’t light up as bright as you might expect.
Best For Older Kids
Next up, we have a pair of toys best suited for kids between the ages of 8 to 12 years old.
4. Amphibious RC Car For Kids
Next up, we have an amphibious car that will offer a lot of fun and excitement. It offers three different speeds with a gearbox that allows you to use the remote control to switch between them—7.5MP/H, 12MP/H, and 15MP/H.
Considering its price and size, it has quite a powerful engine, and you’ll be thrilled with how fast it can go!
One of the best things about this toy is the different options it gives you. Its two-layer waterproof design allows you to use it on the water’s surface, but it’s also been designed to work off-road and perform well no matter the surface.
Pros
- Waterproof Shell Design: Impressive waterproof cell that makes it completely amphibious!
- Powerful Engine: Comes with an engine that can push speeds up to 15MP/H.
- Versatility: Use in or out of your pool, even on off-road terrain, including sand and grass.
Cons
- Battery Life: Depending on the terrain it’s driving on, it can run out of battery in as little as 20 minutes.
5. JOYIN Inflatable Pool Inflatable Volleyball Court
Another option is this inflatable volleyball court that allows you to play a few different games. It comes with an inflatable net, two weight bags, basketball hoops, a volley, and a basketball.
It’s a fairly large court that you can use to play basketball, volleyball, netball, or any other watersport you can think of.
It’s one of the larger sets on our list and can work well for adults, too; however, because of its reduced dimensions, we’d suggest it for older kids.
The materials that make up this set are high quality, and it is durable even through extended sessions of play and wear and tear.
Pros
- Versatility: A volleyball court can also be used for pool-basketball or netball.
- Durability: Tough materials make it useable for years, providing you look after it.
- Balls: Two balls included: both a basketball and a volleyball.
Cons
- Size: Not the right dimensions for a larger pool, which may make it unsuitable for multiple players.
Best For Teenagers/Adults
If you’re searching for pool toys best suited for teenagers and adults, check out this pair of cool, active games you can play in teams or duos!
6. GoSports Floating Water Polo Game Set
If you’re looking for a more grown-up pool set, then this floating water polo set is going to be the perfect choice for you. It comes with a water polo goal, three balls, and a hand pump.
It’s made of sturdy materials, and you won’t have to inflate the goal. It comes partially assembled, so you won’t have to worry too much about setting it up once you get it delivered.
Perfect for either serious or casual water polo games, this is a great set that is extremely durable and will last through countless games.
The only downside is that it only comes in one color, so if you care about the decor of your pool space, it might not fit in!
Pros
- Durable: Made of durable materials.
- Serious Games: Great for serious or casual games of water polo.
- Three Balls: Comes with three balls included, as well as an inflatable pump.
Cons
- One Color Option: It only comes in red!
7. GoSports Splash Hoop Pro
Is Water Polo not your thing? Check out this cool splash hoop basketball game. It includes a poolside water basket hoop, two balls, and a pump.
It also comes in three different colors, including blue, red, or white, with a blue outline. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a casual game to play while messing around in the pool.
The design of the basketball hoop is the most impressive thing here, with a water-weighted base that secures the structure at the side of your pool. It also has a robust neck that has been designed to withstand impact.
Pros
- Poolside Basket: The basketball hoop sits poolside, so you won’t have to worry about it floating.
- Pump Included: Comes with an included pump to inflate your basketballs.
- Study Design: Designed to withstand water and many games of pool basketball!
Cons
- Short Size: The basketball hoop is relatively short, which can make getting hoops fairly easy.
Buyer’s Guide
So that was our list of the seven best pool toys for different ages—but this is just the start of the story! When it comes to choosing the perfect pool toy for you, there are a lot of things to look out for.
There’s nothing worse than purchasing a toy only to find it defective or not what you expected. So, check out this short buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for when shopping online or in-store.
Materials
One of the first things you’re going to want to check out is the quality of the materials in the design of the product.
Pool toys must be durable because they will be played with and used in games for years to come. Check out the materials used within the toy you’re searching for.
If it has electrical components, make sure that it is suitably waterproof. You will also want to double-check that it’s been made with non-toxic and child-safe plastic.
Swimming Ability
Next up, you will want to ensure that the toy in question is right for your family’s combined swimming skills. For example, a toy that operates primarily underwater might not be the best choice.
We’d recommend purchasing toys that float or can help younger children be suitable in the water if they’re not so used to swimming.
However, if you have older kids who are confident in the water, it can be a good thing to get them some amphibious toys or ball games that help them learn to better navigate in the water.
Age Ranges
You’ll want to double-check that the toy you’re looking at is suitable for the child in question. Some toys are more complicated than others.
For example, it could be difficult for a child under the age of 6 to use the amphibious RC car we linked earlier in this article, so you might want to get them something more simplistic.
Similarly, if you’ve picked a very simple toy, it might not be exciting or complex enough for an older child.
Colors/Theme
The colors and theme of a toy can be very important! Let’s say you have a child who loves aquatic animals like dolphins.
If this is the case, consider something that will delight them (like the third product on our list above). The colors and theme of a toy can do a lot to impress your kids!
Lights And Electronic Components
So let’s say you want to continue the fun after the sun goes down. If this is the case, then light-up pool toys can be a great addition to your pool. However, you will need to make sure a few boxes are ticked.
Firstly, you will need to ensure that these toys are completely waterproof. This will be a legal safety requirement, but it’s worth reading about how they have created underwater electronics to stop them from becoming damaged.
Secondly, you will need to check out the battery life of the product in question.
There’s nothing worse than a pool toy with electrical components that you can only use for a few minutes. Most product descriptions will give you an estimated battery life from a full charge.
Final Thoughts
So that was our list of the seven best pool toys you can buy! We hope that this list has given you some good ideas to take a look at.
Pool toys can be a fantastic way to make warm summer afternoons even brighter, and with a little bit of research, you’ll be able to find something suitable for your family!
If you still have some questions, make sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Find Out If A Pool Toy Is Safe To Play With?
When trying to work out if a pool toy is safe for your child to play with, you need to consider a few different things. First off, you’re going to need to double-check that it’s suitable for their age.
If you have a smaller child, any toy with small parts that can detach could be dangerous and present a choking hazard.
Another thing is weight—this is especially important for pool toys—make sure any toy you buy is light enough for your child to handle.
The final thing you’ll want to consider is whether or not the toy has any sharp edges or finger traps.
Sharp edges are self-explanatory, but finger traps refer to gaps in a toy that could harm your child if they got their fingers trapped inside. Providing you keep an eye on these factors, any pool toy you pick should be safe.
What Is The Best Way To Inflate A Pool Toy?
The Best way to inflate a pool toy is to use an electric pump. If you purchase one, you’ll find that inflating any pool toy will be simple.
However, you can use a manual pump also, and many pool toys that you buy offer this as included in the price.
What About Toxic Pool Toys?
Certain types of plastic and other materials can be toxic, so it’s important to watch out for these.
Although most companies have a legal requirement to create their products with safe materials, you must buy from a trusted supplier. Don’t risk buying a cheap toy from an unknown source, as it could be dangerous to your child.
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Last update on 2023-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
