Best Pool Toys

Swimming during the summer is one of the best parts of the summer, and when you add in the best pool toys, it just doesn’t get any better. If you’re looking to keep your kids entertained while you lay out and relax, pool toys can help. And if you want to get in and play, too, there are toys suitable for all ages. The trick to finding the best one, the easiest to use, or the most versatile for a giant pool party, is to look for universally fun games. Let’s go over the best toys to keep you, your children, and your guests in the pool longer!

BEST OVERALL | Dunnrite PoolSport Pool Basketball

Dunnrite PoolSport pool basketball

You don’t have to be over 6 feet tall to be good at pool basketball, and the Dunnrite PoolSport pool basketball and ball will make anyone feel like an athlete. The sturdy 17-inch wide base is easy to fill with water, which gives it enough weight, so it can’t be easily knocked over. The well-made stainless-steel rim can take dunks, unlike other competitors, which may use plastic for its hoop.

A perfectly-sized ball is included, and it matches the basketball base. You can play game after game of pool basketball and not worry about the sun damaging the base at all, either. After assembling the hoop, backboard, and base, just set it on the edge of a pool and fill it with water. Then just hop in the pool, pick teams, and start playing. You can even enjoy this toy during the evening with the right outdoor lighting to illuminate the area.

You’re likely to get hours upon hours of fun out of this pool toy throughout the summer, and for many summers to come. Enjoy with some friends while firing up the grill! The best part is that this poolside basketball toy comes with a three-year warranty, so if anything should go wrong, you can go about getting it righted. The MSRP of the Dunnrite PoolSport pool basketball is $159.99, but be sure to check the current Dunnrite PoolSport pool basketball here.

BEST DESIGN | Aqua Stingray Underwater Glider

Aqua Stingray Underwater Glider

Sometimes the simplest design is also the best, such as in the case of the Aqua Stingray Underwater Glider. This little glider has no batteries, no motor, and yet, it is self-propelled. Click the stingray’s fins into place, and then take it to the bottom of the pool. Once you release this little guy, it’ll shoot forward and upward underwater, spinning, spiraling, and be swimming away.

You can adjust the fins of this Stingray to make it swim in different patterns. It’s tons of fun to just watch it do tricks, or you can set up a race between the stingray and fast swimmers. Or you can hold it at the bottom of the pool with one foot, set it free, and then chase it down.

Regardless of the age of your kids, they’re likely to be entertained by this popular pool toy. Just make sure they’re supervised when in the pool. It’s especially a big hit with the littlest of your tots. Sure, it’s just a toy with a different kind of buoyancy that eventually just floats to the surface after its fancy flight, but it’s surprisingly fun to see where it’ll end up. Prepare for lots of pool fun – and expect your kids to request that this toy gets used every time you guys have pool time. The MSRP is $11.55 for the Aqua Stingray Underwater Glider, but be sure to check the current Aqua Stingray Underwater Glider here.

EASIEST TO USE | Swimways Toypedo Bandits

Swimways Toypedo Bandits

What is it about tossing something in the pool and then retrieving it that’s so much fun? The Swimways Toypedo Bandits pool toys take this simple idea to another level, making it more fun for anyone who’s diving for the rocketing toys. This four-pack of pool torpedoes come in various colors and have fun monster-like faces painted on them. Just launch them into the pool at different angles and then shout “Go!” Your kids will take off after them, getting tons of exercise and having fun at the same time.

To make it even better, each torpedo has a point value, include 10, 20, 30, and 40. So, you can keep score for each dive and retrieval. There’s no assembly required, and they’re easy to use straight out of the package. It’s not only a great way to keep kids entertained and busy, it’s also a good way to get new swimmers to get some underwater swimming practice in.

Hand the torpedoes to your kids and have them launch each one themselves and chase after them. These pool torpedoes are designed to glide up to 30 feet, which will wear your little ones out quickly. They’re even fun for adults, too, who want to get in on the action. They’re surprisingly affordable, too, so you can buy several packs for days when friends come to visit, and the more you have, the more points each kid can earn by collecting the most torpedoes. The Swimways Toypedo Bandits have an MSRP of $4.59, but be sure to check the current Swimways Toypedo Bandits here.

MOST VERSATILE | Intex Pool Volleyball Game

Intex Pool Volleyball Game

One of the best games to play in the pool is volleyball, but it’s hard to do without a net. That’s why you need the Intex Pool Volleyball Game. This inflatable pole base doesn’t just float in the water. It has anchor bags, so you can keep the net and base weighed down by whatever you have available. Rocks are probably your best bet, as the bags have holes in them, and you don’t want sand leaking into your pool. The net and base float in the center of your pool, and it’s larger than you might expect. A regular volleyball would be far too heavy and hard to use for kids, so Intex included an inflatable volleyball to use with this set.

While this pool toy is lots of fun for kids to use, it’s equally fun for adults who want to play in the pool, rather than swim or float about. It can even be used in hot tubs! Use your own ball, if you want, such as a large beach ball, to make it easier for those who can’t seem to get the smaller volleyball to launch over the net. It even makes a good divider for kids who want to splash and play, while the younger kids stay in the shallower side with their toys. It’s probably one of the most versatile pool toys on the market and at a super affordable price.

The good news about this net is that it stays taut, which is surprising for something that’s just a floating pool toy. Keep in mind that the ropes attached to the weight bags are only about 3 feet long, so you’ll have to choose a shallow part of the pool to play in. Alternatively, you could add your own rope to extend the length and reach of the anchor bags. The MSRP of the Intex Pool Volleyball Game is $10.99, but be sure to check the current Intex Pool Volleyball Game here.

BARGAIN BUY | SwimWays Disney Finding Dory Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game

SwimWays Disney Finding Dory Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game

Are you ready for a pool toy that’s not only tons of fun, but super affordable? The SwimWays Disney Finding Dory Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game is bound to keep your kids in the pool longer than ever. It’s a simple, but an effective toy. Mr. Ray is the stingray in the popular animated films featuring Nemo and Dory that encourages his students to explore and learn about the world around them. In this toy, his fins are nets. Dory, Nemo, and Nemo’s friends are the small toys included. Just toss them into the pool and watch as some sink and others float. Then send your kids out with Mr. Ray to collect them all.

A few of the toys will sink quickly to the bottom of the pool, while others sink slowly, and the others float to the top. This is a great design of a pool toy that will challenge your new swimmers to dive and find the toys at the bottom, swim about to find the ones floating in the center of the pool, and then the top where the floaters stayed.

Surprisingly, this is one of those toys that will be fun for almost any age group. So, be prepared to talk your little one into sharing with big brothers, sisters, and friends. It’s an affordable toy that’s going to get a lot of use in the summertime at the pool. Also, don’t be surprised if your kids want to use it in the bathtub, as well. The SwimWays Disney Finding Dory Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game has an MSRP of $12.92, but be sure to check the current SwimWays Disney Finding Dory Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game here.

BOTTOM LINE

Swimming during the summer is already fun, but pool toys make summertime that much more fun. Whether you’re a fan of sports and want to play some team games, or you or your kids prefer to dive and seek for toys, there are plenty of pool toys out there to please everyone. Cost isn’t really a factor when it comes to fun – you can find the best pool toys at affordable prices that will keep everyone in the pool longer than ever. Plus, many of these pool toys are super durable, which means you’ll have them summer after summer, and they’ll bring you even more hours of fun! And no pool toy is complete without a fun pool to go with it. So, check out our 5 Best Inflatable Pools right here!