Since we go to the pool all of the time, I like to keep our swim bag packed and ready to go. As you know from my previous POST, I like to always be prepared. 🙂 It can be exhausting to try and get everyone’s supplies together before you can go to the pool, so I like to keep my bag constantly stocked and in a location where it is easy to grab. Here are the items I always keep in our bag:
Some sort of little bag for your wallets, phone, etc. – You will have all kinds of stuff in your bag, especially when you are packing for small children, and these tiny items can easily be lost. I find it helpful to keep a little bag available to store all of those loose items. It also helps prevent these items from getting wet when you are leaving with your wet towels. I just use a leftover makeup bag. Here is what it looks like: 
Towels for everyone – You can bring hooded towels for babies or just have simple beach towels for everyone.
Any dry shirts, cover ups, or clothing – Don’t forget to pack these so you have something to wear when you leave the pool.
Extra sunscreen for touchups – I find it helpful to apply sunscreen BEFORE you put on your munchkin’s swimsuit (but make sure and have some extra in your bag for reapplication). This ensures that all of their delicate little skin is protected.
A hat to protect those sweet faces – Please don’t forget that the hat is going to get wet in the pool, so make sure that you are okay with this before you get into the water. As you know from my past posts, I have a slight obsession with baby hats and bonnets, so finding one for Madeline to wear is not an issue for me. 🙂
Here are a few of my favorites right now: 
Sunglasses – Madeline has quite the collection, but I don’t think that I have ever paid more than $4 for any of these. Her blue sparkle ones are her current favorite!
Snacks for your children – Most places will not let you bring in food for adults, but they are okay with bringing small snacks for your little ones. Even if they serve food at your pool (which most places do), it is still a good idea to keep a reserve bag for while you are waiting. They make fancy little containers to keep snacks in, but I just put Madeline’s in a plastic zip bag. 🙂
A sippy cup and/or water bottle – You definitely don’t want your little one getting dehydrated in the heat, so do not forget to pack these! I always keep a spare cup in my bag, so it is never forgotten. As soon as I take it out to wash at the end of the day, I immediately replace it with another one.
A hard bib – You also definitely don’t want to get food and liquids all over their bathing suits. I like THESE bibs because you can instantly wipe them off, and they have a nice little shelf at the bottom to catch crumbs.
Spare swim diapers and wipes – If you are changing your children into regular clothes at the end of your pool adventure, don’t forget regular diapers too! This is MOST DEFINITELY not something you want to forget, so permanently assign these to your bag (rather than throwing them in at the last minute). Make sure and keep several of these in your bag, just in case one breaks on the sides (speaking from experience). 🙂
What do you put in your pool bag? Is there anything else that you would include in this list? Please feel free to add a comment below, because I love to hear from you all!
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