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We all remember the anticipation that comes with the final few weeks of school as we inch closer and closer to the long-awaited summer break. Right now, that's exactly what kiddos everywhere are feeling! Days spent outside, trips to the beach, outings for ice cream—it's all happening so soon and they're no doubt teeming with excitement. Of all the summer activities to enjoy including backyard games and summer crafts, possibly the most exciting is simply time spent with friends in the water—especially when those pool days include the best pool toys! They'll make fun in the sun even more fun!
Our Top Picks
Here, we've rounded up a variety of pool toys so the whole family can quite literally make a splash throughout the dog days of summer. Seriously, there's picks for kids, teens, and adults! Choose from fun swimming pool games like inflatable volleyball courts, basketball hoops, and floating table tennis as well as classic picks like water guns, hoops, and dive toys. We've also found unique toys like stingray gliders, a Barbie boat playset, and even an interactive fish that will swim under the surface. They can catch sinking toys with nets and battle on log rafts or hop on a pool float shaped like a bull for a wild ride through the water as their friends try to buck them off. Basically, any of these pool toys are sure to keep them entertained for hours. Just be sure to have the beach towels and poolside snacks ready for when they hop out!
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Spark Shark Fish Hunt
As long as you're okay with the possibility of your little ones singing "Baby Shark" the entire time they play, this toy is perfect for all of those upcoming pool days. They'll use the two shark nets to catch the six colorful fish sinkers. They might even race each other to see who can catch them all first!
Grab a partner and get ready for hours of poolside play with this floating table tennis set. The table is made of a rigid foam and comes with a net, two paddles, and two high-bounce balls that will float in water. It takes just minutes to set up and can even be placed on a table to play outside of the pool.
You know what they say: suns out, water guns out! Okay, maybe that's not the exact saying, but still, it hardly gets more entertaining than this. To use them, pull back the plastic handle to load the cannon with water, take aim, then push the handle to blast the water at your target or opponent.
Calling all Barbie girls! With this Barbie set that includes Barbie "Malibu" Roberts and Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts dolls along with an 18-inch boat that floats on water and plenty of summertime accessories, pool time has never been more of an oasis adventure!
Along with practicing their diving skills, there are plenty of games to be made up using this assortment of diving toys! Rings, sticks, torpedos, balls, treasure pieces, fish, squids, and octopuses are all included in the set. Plus, you'll get a convenient bag to store them in at the end of the day.
Surprise the kiddos with these stingray gliders and they're sure to be all smiles throughout the summer! The self-propelled critters will glide and boomerang through the water performing tricks like flips and spirals as they go. They can travel up to 40 feet under the surface!
Sloosh Inflatable Pool Float Set Volleyball Net & Basketball Hoop
This 2-for-1 set includes both an inflatable volleyball court and an inflatable basketball hoop—plus inflatable balls for each. Get a group together, split into teams, then spend the hours immersed in some friendly competition of the sport of your choice! The set also comes with two weight bags to keep the inflatables sturdy.
The kids can take Dory's famous quote “just keep swimming” to the next level with this toy set that comes with one Mr. Ray net and five dive characters: Dory, Nemo, Pearl, Sheldon, and Kathy. Just toss the little figurines into the water and watch as they retrieve them with the net.
What do you get when you mix water guns with inflatable floats? This super fun ride-on racer, of course! Designed with an easy-to-grip shape and a comfy seat, it'll provide tons of fun every time it's brought out. The built-in mega blaster can soak opponents from 25 feet away and is pool-fed for a continuous water supply so they won't have to pause to refill. It even comes with a repair patch if needed.
Okay, it's o-fish-al... this might just be the coolest (and cutest) pool toy around. Kids and adults alike will love watching as the little fish magically swims free of its bag once its dipped underwater. From there, their new friend will swim around in the pool. They can use the included bottle to interact with the fish, too.
The ultimate game of catch is right at your fingertips with this little ball that skips and glides across the water. Bonus points: It floats and is built to last through summers to come thanks to super tough stitching. Oh, and it's especially fun when used in the ocean amongst the waves!
Grab your cowboy hat and hold on tight as your friends make every effort to buck you off this inflatable bull. Take turns to see who can stay on the longest! The giant eight-foot float can support up to 220 pounds and is made of a a durable, puncture-resistant vinyl with five heavy-duty grab handles. It also includes a handy repair patch.
Why jump through hoops to come up with fun summertime activities when you can just swim through hoops instead? Dive through the toys or set up fun obstacle courses—either way, the kiddos will have a blast. The set includes five plastic rings, five foam flamingo buoys, and five sand bags so you can decide if the hoops sink or float.
Turn the pool into a gridiron when you (quite literally) get your hands on this waterproof football. It has a double-laced design so you can maintain a good grip while throwing and catching. Plus, heavy-duty stitching will ensure it lasts game after game after game.
The competition is heating up just as much as the temperatures outside thanks to these battle rafts. Each kiddo will sit on a log inflatable then use the stick to try and knock the other off. They're made of high quality PVC and are easy to inflate, deflate, and store when they've declared a winner!
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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