How to manage the pool with small children

Holidays and especially warm summer days attract many parents to the water—whether to a swimming pool, paddling pool, splash park, ponds, or the sea. With children, it is always more demanding. How do you manage everything, what should you take with you, and how do you keep the children entertained?

Just for half a day

Whether you have one toddler or several children, you can try the first swim just for the morning or afternoon. The combination of sun and water is exhausting on its own, even for adults—let alone for adults who are also looking after children. If your children sleep after lunch and you do not want to deal with it there, then go out in the morning or after naptime. If you can handle it, you can try it for a whole day next time; it all depends on your options and determination. 

At least two adults

If possible, it is great to go with someone who can watch the children for a while (dad, grandma, grandpa, a friend), so you can спокойно run to the toilet, go buy an iced coffee, or take a short break in the pool or sunbathe on a blanket. 

Quality sunscreen

No matter what time of day you decide to visit the swimming pool, definitely remember to pack quality sunscreen. To save time and nerves, it is better to put sunscreen on the children at home; as soon as they see the water, they will not want to hear anything about cream. Then keep reapplying it, because even if they splash around in the water the whole time, they can still get sunburned easily.

Head covering

A hat, scarf, cap—anything that covers the child's head. Even though the children will most likely be wet from head to toe, a head covering helps prevent heatstroke. 

Tent or shelter

Not all swimming pools offer shelters close to the water, so it is better to pack your own tent or shelter. These days it is fairly affordable, and it will definitely also come in handy in the garden or in the park for a picnic. 

Snacks and drinks

If you do not want to spend money at the swimming pool and buy ice creams, fries, and similar temptations, bring snacks for the children with you. Also remember drinks—there is never enough of them on hot summer days, and keep offering them to the children regularly. 

Armbands and waist belt

The ideal helpers for non-swimmers are armbands and a belt around the waist. It is better if the children wear them even at the paddling pool, so you do not have to deal with whether someone will catch them if they run into the big pool or not. 

Water and non-water toys

If your children are rather calmer and the paddling pool is enough for them, pack some water toys with you - bucket, watering can, rubber ducks, fishing net, ball, etc. For older children you can pack badminton rackets and a shuttlecock, ping-pong paddles and balls (if a table is available), a travel board game, an inflatable ball, a lounger, or a big swimming ring, etc. In short, the imagination is the limit. 

Stroller or baby carrier

For children who sleep during the day, definitely do not forget a stroller or baby carrier, or a shelter/tent where the child can hide from the sun and rest comfortably. Many mothers who go to the swimming pool with several children like to use a baby carrier so they can watch the older child having fun in the water while keeping an eye on the younger sleeping one at the same time.  

Among other things that will definitely come in handy are swimsuits, towels, a blanket, and underwear for changing on the way home, and you can also pack an extra T-shirt for the children, which you can put on them if they are not spending as much time in the water but are still in the sun. 

We wish you a wonderful holiday, enjoy the sunny days and swimming wherever it suits you. We keep our fingers crossed that you manage it all with the children, and don’t worry—every mother was uncertain at first about what and how to do it. Only by repeating it will you fine-tune everything, and the children will surely be delighted.