Over the years there have been a ton of different pools toys that have tried to make room for themselves in the chlorine treated waters but there are three in particular that have become essential accessories to any pool.  What are they you ask?  The inflatable raft, the floating basketball hoop, and the foam noodle are required to either be in the pool before you get in or should at least be within arms reach once you’ve cannon-balled.

One of the Classic Inflatable Pool Toys: The Inflatable Raft

Floating pool toys for adults!

Swimming pool toys are usually designed around some sort of game but the inflatable raft needs no silly rule set to be one of the greatest pool toys around. As opposed to all of those pool toys for kids, the inflatable raft is designed with the Mommy’s and Daddy’s in mind. While your kids swim about splashing each other in the shallow end you can rest easy floating idly in the deeper waters on your inflatable raft.

You can find all sorts of inflatable raft models at your neighborhood pool supplies store. They’ve got your basic mattress style raft, your crocodile themed rafts, rafts with handle bars, rafts with canopies…all sorts of different styles. Not only can you catch some Z’s out on the serene waters with this inflatable pool toy but you can even use it to make some massive waves. Stand up in the shallow end and vigorously push and pull the inflatable raft underneath the water to create a wave pool effect for everyone in the pool.

Nothing Beats a Good Game of Water Basketball

A basketball hoop is one of many cool pool toys!

After a while it can get kind of dull just swimming around in a pool. It’s a lot more fun when you have a bunch of people with you and can get some sort of game going. The floating basketball hoop makes a perfect pool toy for the sports minded pool-goer.

The floating basketball hoop can sit in the deep end of the pool and float around as the players struggle to make baskets with their tiny basketball. The game can be played like a water polo game as in water there is no such thing as dribbling. If you’re a dunk fan you can make some pretty cool moves on the floating hoop because it isn’t very far above the water.  You can also do some fun horse games, with “shooting while jumping into the pool shots,” etc.

Water basketball can be played with any number of people. Just divide everyone into two teams and then start racking up the points. The hoop is even a great pool toy if you’re all by yourself in the pool. You can practice free throws from one end of the pool and then swim over to get your missed shots.  Of all swimming pools toys, if you have a big group of people, forget playing Marco Polo – get yourself a water basketball hoop!

Foam Noodle Fight!

The foam noodle is a fun baby pool toy!

Of all the baby pool toys, the foam noodle is one of the best.  They are soft and bendy, and lots of fun!  They definitely won’t keep even a baby afloat, but they are certainly fun for kids because all kinds of games can be made with them.  Most kids (especially the boys) end up using them as weapons.  With foam noodles its ok though, because they are so soft.

Horseplay can be dangerous in pools but if you play it safe and just use foam noodles as swords you can have a lot of fun whacking each other around and splashing about. Throw in a couple water guns and you’ll feel like you’re having a wet and wild war!  This swimming pool toy is sure to entertain you and your kids for hours.

Related posts:

1. What to Look for When Buying Pool Floats
2. The Inflatable Pool: the Thrifty Mans Pool