The 10 Best Pool Toys for Babies and Toddlers (2024)

byJessica Booth

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 3 to 24 months, up to 40 pounds

Weight: 1.88 pounds

Dimensions: 23.62 x 23.62 x 9.84 inches

Why We Love it

Community Reviews

Mamobaby makes unique and durable pool floats that are eye-catching and, most important, safe for babies. Thisbaby float is adorable and functional, as well as versatile: It can hold babies up to 40 pounds, which is more than some other baby floats on the market. Plus, it self inflates to make setup quick and easy.

It feels durable and comfortable, with two positions available depending on your child’s age. Use the breaststroke position for babies between 3 and 12 months of age and backstroke position for babies between 3 and 24 months. And even though it keeps baby secure thanks to a five-point harness, they’ll still be able to kick their legs around and move pretty freely.

The canopy is a big plus, too. Babies and young children require as much sun protection as possible, and a canopy (paired with a great baby sunscreen) is a great way to add extra shade when they’re floating in a pool. It’s also removable for easier storage or if you don’t feel you need it.

One extremely important thing to keep in mind when using a baby pool float is that they are never to be used in place of adult supervision: Baby should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when using a pool float.

• leileebry

  “We have a Mambobaby float. But honestly I just hold her about 95% of the time. I guess I should ask what body of water? Pool Mambobaby definitely works, ocean I hold her in my arms when we're in the water.”

• Stephanied154

  “We got this floaty for our 20 week old and it's pretty nice. Just place baby in, velcro and snap. It's easy to use and feels very safe. The sun shade does offer protection to her face and body, but not really her legs. She was so comfortable in it she even took a nap in it lol. The only thing I didn't like was how little baby actually sits in the water. As you can see in the second picture, it's basically just her bum in the water.”

• krista0708

  “We just got ours last weekend and have used it twice and I feel like it’s worth every penny. My son loves it and it feels so secure. Buy it you won’t regret it.”

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 9 months and up

Weight: 8.8 ounces

Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.9 x 3.4 inches

Why We Love it

Community Reviews

TheseSkip Hop buckets are a simple yet exciting way for baby to enjoy the water: Fill them up, then either dump them out or watch the water sprinkle out of the bottom. To make it even more engaging, these buckets have three different designs that sprinkle water out differently.

Between the small size and thick carry handle, these buckets are easy for small hands to grip. They’re great for use in a large pool, a kiddie pool, at a water table and in the bath, so they’re very versatile. They also stack for compact, easy storage.

I have these for my kids and they love using them in the bath, but one thing to note is that even though the water can drain out, they may still collect mold. I did have to replace mine after about a year of use when we noticed some buildup.

• kjp12

  “Skiphop makes little bath buckets that he loves.”

• baby2doodoodoodoodoo

  “Skip hop stack and pour buckets are a hit with my 7 month old and my almost 3 year old. They are great for the bath, the beach, the yard, the water table... and no yucky mold can build up like with squirt toys.”

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 9 months and up

Weight: .32 ounces

Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches

Simple, low-maintenance and cute, this wind-upMunchkin penguin toy is a great option for younger babies who just need something to look at in the water. To make it work, all you have to do is wind up the arms and release: The penguin will “swim” through the water much to your baby’s delight. It’s designed to be easy enough that even your little one can operate it on their own.

This is a super compact option that is great for travel and can also be used in the bath, in a water table or in a kiddie pool. As a bonus, it’s only $5, so it’s a budget-friendly option, too. The downside? Wind-up toys might get boring fast, especially as your child gets older.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 18 months and up

Weight: 1.85 pounds

Dimensions: 11.88 x 6 x 10.25 inches

For some imaginative play in the pool, look for floating versions of your kid’s favorite show or movie. Thisbath toy set is ideal for Peppa Pig fans and works just as well in a pool as it does in the bathroom. It comes with two boats and five characters, all of which float so you don’t need to worry about the toys sinking.

There are so many ways to play with this toy, which makes it feel really versatile. Pulling the string on the paddle boat allows it to rotate and “drive” through the water, while the other boat can be used as a pourer. This is a great pick for younger toddlers and babies playing in a kiddie pool, but older kids can have fun with it in a big pool as well. The only downside? Keeping track of all of the items might be a little tough, especially in a public space.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 3 years and up

Weight: 9.9 ounces

Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 inches

Why We Love it

Community Reviews

A toy net set is always a hit with toddlers. They promote imaginative play and encourage search and find skills, but they’re also versatile: You can use them in the bath, a water table, kiddie pool or even dry land.This set comes with six floating animals that kids can try to “catch” with the included basket. What makes these animals extra fun though is that they each have a different feature: Two spout water, two make cute sounds when squeezed, and two change color in warmer water temperatures. This makes them a little more interesting for kids and expands play potential outside of the water.

The main downside to many toys that squirt water is you’ll want to keep an eye out for mold buildup inside of the toys that spout water.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 3 years and up

Weight: n/a

Dimensions: 26.5 x 21.5 inches

A floating basketball hoop offers a simple, easy game that a variety of age groups will love playing. ThisIntex Floating Hoop is small enough for toddlers to use, while still being a fun choice for older kids. Not to mention it’s relatively compact so it won’t take up a lot of space in your pool. The base fills with water for added stability, keeping it afloat and preventing it from toppling over too quickly.

Parents find that it’s easy to inflate and, when deflated, it’s small enough to be portable and travel-friendly. It’s a good starter hoop for younger kids just getting into basketball and they can even use it in the yard as well. Some reviewers note that it broke easily or wasn’t super durable, but at $16, at least it won’t feel like you’re losing a lot if it only makes it through one season.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 3 years and up

Weight: .44 pounds

Dimensions: 7.09 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches

TheSunnylife Water Squirters are compact enough for small hands to use and come in two adorable designs: a dolphin (pictured here) and an alligator. They’re fairly easy to use — you just submerge the top in water, then pull back to fill them — and they’re good for little ones because these squirters don't push the water out too intensely.

Because these are small enough for young toddlers to hold, they also don’t hold a lot of water. This is a good thing so your tot doesn’t get water everywhere in a matter of seconds, but it can be annoying because they’ll need to be refilled often. There may also be a learning curve when toddlers are first starting to use these; they may take some getting used to before they can really use them on their own.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: 3 years and up

Weight: 1.48 pounds

Dimensions: 12.75 x 7.75 x 8 inches

There are a lot of floating boat toys out there, but we love thistoy ferry boat from Green Toys. It floats while carrying the two included cars, so your child can play with this toy in the pool, tub or water table. There’s also a slide-out ramp to push cars in and out of, which your child can use out of the water. There’s also plenty of cargo space for other small toys if they don’t want to use just cars.

Parents appreciate the slotted bottom on the boat for water to drain, which helps prevent mold buildup and makes for easier cleaning. It’s also dishwasher-safe, which is even more convenient for keeping mold at bay.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: Suggested use 5 years and up

Weight: 4.2 ounces

Dimensions: 10.5 x 1.44 x 10.5 inches

Babies and older kids alike will enjoy playing with a toy that can zoom through the water. Shaped like little stingrays, theseself-powered toys are fun to chase after and may even help foster some swimming skills. They come in a set of three, and they can breach, swirl or helix through the water, depending on how you want to play with them. Many parents opt to use these as bath toys, so they’ll make for a great toy in shallow water like a kiddie pool or water table, too.

Although these are suggested for kids ages 5 and up, you can use them in a different way with toddlers and babies: my youngest daughter was always fascinated just watching toys like these move through the water on their own, even when she was a baby. They’re compact and easy to travel with as well.

Buying Options

Age Recommendations: Suggested use 6 years and up

Weight: .7 pounds

Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 2.5 inches

Why We Love it

Community Reviews

Splash balls are a true pool play classic: They’re versatile enough for almost any age group, and they offer lots of open-ended play options. Thisaffordable four pack is perfect whether you’re at the pool or the beach — I’ve even purchased them for my kids to use at their water table. Although the suggested use is for kids over 6, toddlers also love tossing these around and chasing after them because they float.

Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director at What to Expect, says she loves using these splash balls with her nearly 3-year-old daughter who is learning to swim. “She loves these balls to throw, swim to and do all kinds of other activities,” she says. “They absorb water so she loves to squeeze them and watch it come out.” Another perk: these are soft and compact enough to easily stash in a suitcase if you’re headed on a tropical vacation.

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