Best Pool Toys 2024 – Forbes Vetted

When it’s too hot outside to play cornhole on the lawn, take it to the pool. This inflatable game is a must-have for those with a competitive edge. Designed with a speed safety valve, this pool toy quickly inflates and deflates in minutes. The set comes with two cornhole boards and eight weighted bean bags to toss. If you’re up for a challenge, you can adjust the board from a fixed position to a floating one for ultimate gaming goals.

With a lightweight and portable design, these water gun pool toys make it simple to have some fun without all the legwork. They have a tight and sturdy construction, so you don’t have to worry about water dripping out or getting everywhere. The narrow spout lends itself to shooting long distances, so users can hit the targets they want whether it’s a player across the pool or a nearby parent. With six blasters, there’s plenty to go around.

Remember those carnivals you used to go to as a kid? Relive those memories this summer with inflatable ring toss with a twist. This themed game comes with two inflatable flamingos and a combination of eight pink and green foam rings. The flamingos have a built-in strap which goes around your head like a hat to add some extra height to this adorable game.

Made with large square windows, kids can practice hand-eye coordination as they place the Xs and Os into the desired spots. The game comes with the 4-foot inflatable square and ten inflatable Xs and Os in blue and orange. It’s even flippable, allowing kids to pick whether they want to display the orange or blue side. And when pool time is over, you can also use it on land.

For those kids who simply can’t lounge, the Skillmatics Seek & Splash diving game should keep them engaged. Toss the gems into the pool or the splash pad so they’re spread out on the bottom. Then, flip a card and everyone splashes in to find the featured gem.

Don’t sleep on the power of a beach ball—especially one that’s filled with confetti glitter. The Minnidip beach ball is packed with metallic confetti pieces that glisten and glimmer as kids toss it around. This ball works great for impromptu pool volleyball games, along with just being tossed around.

This is more than a pool float. It includes a Nerf-mounted water blaster, so this kid friendly ride is all about the action. It promises to reach its targets at 25 feet away. Of course, you may want to avoid the pool when this beast is loose. It’s ideal for ages 6 and up or kids who can already independently swim.

You can revolve a whole afternoon around this fun float. Designed with realistic photo technology, this inflatable bull looks similar to the real thing. The outer ring provides up to five family members or friends the chance to create rocky waters for the rider, making it all the more fun. Made from heavy-duty PVC vinyl, this bull can support up to 220 pounds.

Big Joe’s Pool Petz are stuffed with lightweight beans for a squishy feel kids love. This lovey-style turtle is huggable and covered in mesh fabric that dries quickly. Your little one can cruise the pool on the turtle’s back, or simply snuggle with it in the shallow end. It’s surprisingly lightweight, allowing even young kids to help carry it to the pool.

Squirt guns are always fun on a hot day, but this takes the concept to a whole new level. Intex’s water gun plane features a built-in squirt gun that pulls water directly from the pool, so it never runs out. The plane can support several riders to create team play. And the price is reasonable enough that you can pick up several for battles the whole family can enjoy.

The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is an iconic toy on land—and little ones can now enjoy it in the pool, too. This sweet inflatable has a classic car shape and even comes with a steering wheel with a working horn. We like that the hood doubles as a sun shade to subtly protect younger kids from UV rays.

Pool noodles are always a good time, but they can easily break and tear under inevitable rough play. Frontgate’s best-selling World’s Finest Pool Noodle is thick and covered in vinyl to make it resistant to damage from the sun and chlorine. This noodle has a wavy texture to help small hands get a better grip as they float along.

This inflatable snake is over 3.5 feet long, creating plenty of nooks and crannies that kids can jump through and ride on. Covered in a pretty tie-dye pattern, it’s surprisingly approachable. With a maximum weight of 176 pounds and a smattering of handles, several pool buddies can hop on at once.

Practice your football-throwing skills out by the pool. This toy comes with one goal, four water footballs and a ball pump, so you’ll never go flat. Go the distance to see how far you can throw the football and maybe even score a goal. Designed to withstand rough throws and splashes, the net stays afloat and sturdy all day long. Plus, there’s no need to worry about putting it together with its instant assembly.

Summer is the perfect time to play ping pong. While you’re out in the sun, grab a friend and this floating table tennis table from Poolmaster. Constructed with a sturdy foam base and top surface, this tennis table is designed to withstand water exposure and the sun’s strong rays. The set comes with two oversize paddles, a net with uprights and three regulation Ping-Pong balls. Worth noting: Playing in the pool eliminates the hassle of chasing after the ball.

The Ultimate Pool Ball gives players the ability to pass, dribble and kick underwater. Yep, underwater. Just fill it with water from a hose and you’re good to go. Designed with ultra-durable TripleTech PVC, the ball is guaranteed to last for years. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions and a simple hose adapter making the setup a breeze.

Kids love to showcase their talents, especially in the water. These swim-through rings create cool obstacles below the surface. Each ring easily unfolds and inflates in seconds. Made with decorated adjustable air chambers, players can decide how deep the rings are under the water. When it’s time to put them away, they can be easily contracted and stored in the pool closet or shed for safe keeping.

Volleyball in the water is a much gentler sport. This inflatable net floats on the surface of the pool, meaning it’s easy to fit a game in at any time. Just leave the net up and you’re ready to go! It also comes with a mini basketball net that might just keep the younger kids from breaking up your volley.

For kids who need to burn off a little extra energy, there’s the Zoostliss XL Inflatable Wheel Roller. This wheel is powered by kids running or climbing on the inside like a hamster wheel, allowing them to glide all over the pool. It also doubles as comfortable lounger during brief moments of downtime.

Ariel is having a serious moment with the younger crowd thanks to the 2023 live-action Little Mermaid movie and new Disney Jr.’s Ariel series. This doll is packed with fun features, including the ability to play music and throw out lines from the hit show. Ariel also shoots water out from her waist with color-changing lights when you submerge her tail in water and push a special button.

Skip Hop’s animal designs double as pool friends with this sweet bucket set. Each bucket has a different pattern cut into the bottom, allowing for kids to play with unique sprinkle designs. The buckets stack to create a larger toy or can be used separately. At just 4 inches high, they’re the perfect size for little hands.

Inspired by fan-favorite Finding Dory, Mr. Ray’s Dive and Catch Game is the perfect pool toy for tiny tots and small children. The game includes six floating characters (Dory, Nemo, Pearl, Sheldon and Kathy) and a Mr. Ray net. Each character floats at a different depth adding some challenge to the game. Kids can also play with the fish separately.

The addition of a glimmering, colorful tail is sure to add a dose of fun to the pool. This mermaid tail is more than just a pretty prop, though. It’s a legit swim tail made with swimsuit material and a dive-grade neoprene “monofin” that attaches to their feet to create a single powerful tail stride. The tail is sun- and fade-resistant, machine-washable and comes in several attractive colorways in small, medium and large youth sizes. A quick release helps swimmers easily remove the monofin.

A toy boat is ideal for both bath and pool days. I love the easy handle on this Green Toys tug, so little ones can motor it around on their own, and the wide deck means it can carry a character or two. It also doubles as a dumping bucket, scooping up water as it goes and pouring it straight out its spout. This U.S.-produced tug is made of recycled plastic and free of all the icky stuff like BPA and phthalates. Pop it into the dishwasher to give a full clean.

Kids of all ages can get quickly caught up in this fun fishing game. Just toss the fish sinkers in the water and watch kids try to scoop them up as fast as possible with their shark nets. The nets have wide handles, making them easy for little hands to grip. The fish also double as diving toys for more seasoned swimmers.