What to Buy

16 Fun Swimming Pool Accessories for Your First Summer Dip

Our bags may be overflowing with snacks, but there's always space for a fun pool float or game.

by:
June 10, 2021
Photo by Rocky Luten

When it comes to swimming pool accessories, we say more is more. Even though our bags can’t zip because they’re overflowing with sunscreen, snacks, and sunnies , we’ll always find space for a fun pool float or game.

In fact, we bet you’ll want to pack these 16 swimming pool accessories even before the essentials. From a yacht-shaped lounger for yourself and a floating paradise for your furry BFF to waterproof playing cards and cute beach balls, these are the 16 best swimming pool accessories for hours of fun in the sun. And if you need a pool to begin with? Yeah, we've got that, too.


Inflatable pools

An inflatable pool is a great alternative to in-ground or stock tank pools—and way less expensive, too. They're also portable and about a hundred times more cheeky with summer-ready prints. For extra security, lay a yoga mat or two underneath the pool to prevent punctures from sharp edges or small rocks—our worst nightmare is a deflated, leaky pool.

Food52 x Kate Roebuck Inflatable Swimming Pool, $115 Photo by Rocky Luten
FUNBOY Staycation Mini Inflatable Pool, $59 Photo by Urban Outfitters
Ban.do Heart Shaped Inflatable Pool, $85 Photo by Ban.do
Intex Pinwheel Pool, $44.99 Photo by Kohl's

Pool Floats & Loungers

Whether you're hanging solo, with friends, or with furry BFFs, you'll want to lounge about with a fun pool float. You can't go wrong with a classic donut like this, but if you're feeling extra, a yacht-shaped float is the way to go (it's also where you'll find us this season). We like to use a balloon air pump to help inflate things faster—aka get into the pool quicker.

Vera for Anthropologie Sunshine Lounger Pool Float, $58 Photo by Anthropologie
Dog Pool Float and Lounger, $84.15-$135.15 Photo by Frontgate
FUNBOY Yacht Pool Float, $126.65 Photo by Frontgate
FUNBOY Tie-Dye Inner Tube Pool Float, $39 Photo by Urban Outfitters

Pool Toys & Games

Feeling competitive? Pack a pool game or two, like a stack of waterproof cards (which is genius, BTW) or an adorable beach ball. If you have little ones, a larger-than-life sprinkler will keep them entertained for hours. Just don't forget to reapply the sunscreen!

Sun Squad 17.5" Beach Ball Rainbow, $5 Photo by Target
Fun In The Sun Waterproof Playing Cards, $21 Photo by Anthropologie
FUNBOY Rocket Inflatable Sprinkler, $69 Photo by Urban Outfitters
Kendra Dandy Tropics Jumbo Beach Ball, $28 Photo by Anthropologie

Drink Floats

Go hands-free and plop your rosé into a fun floatie or grab a larger one to fit all your snacks—just remember to pour it from the bottle into an insulated tumbler like this for safety and to keep your drink chilled for hours. The drink floaties will meander right alongside you, so you never have to get up for a drink or bite. Hear that? That's the sound of your dreams coming true.

FUNBOY Rainbow Cloud Floating Drink Station, $29 Photo by FUNBOY
Big Mouth Toys Palm Tree Boat, $15.95 Photo by Amazon
Brave Hours Drink Floats, $6.99 Photo by Amazon
GoFloats Inflatable Pool Drink Holders, $12.20 Photo by Amazon

What are you planning to bring to the pool this season? Drop your must-haves in the comments below!

This post contains products independently chosen (and loved) by our editors and writers. As an Amazon Associate and Skimlinks affiliate, Food52 earns a commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

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Jada Wong

Written by: Jada Wong

Jada is the market editor at Food52 with a decade of experience writing and editing for online publications such as Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, and Insider.

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