Whether you own a pool, frequent a community pool, go to the lake (or ocean), or plan a day at a water park, many of us will inevitably be out by the water. It is important to be prepared, so I have a list of what to pack for a day by the Pool.
Where I live, we have had a hot summer so far and we can’t help but spend a lot of time at grandma’s pool, or at the lake. The water is cooler, and my kids are little fish. I have learned what the essentials are to keep everyone happy and healthy when they are in the water all day. Here is what works for us:
1. Sunscreen. My fair-skinned children get told every time they go to the doctor that they are going to be prone to skin diseases if they are not careful. So, we sunscreen up anytime we are outside for any length of time. The water reflects the sun, which can increase chances for sunburns, so sunscreen it is.
2. Towels and swimsuits. My boys have been known to drip dry, but for us girls with longer hair, the drying process can take longer. It’s always good to be prepared with towels, for drying or laying out on.
3. Water. Yes, the pool is full of water, but you need water to drink. Being in the sun and the water can increase dehydration, so drink up.
4. Pool Toys. To try to avoid fighting in the pool, have games and toys the kids can play with. Blow up flotation devices, noodles, balls, diving toys, etc.
4. Snacks. I like to keep the kids fueled when they are outside for lengthy periods of time. Sure I could give them fruit snacks or string cheese (sometimes I do), but I have found that the kids are terrible about throwing wrappers away when they are out by the pool. A snack I have found to be tasty and work well for such occasions is Fisher Nut Exactly snack bites.
There are 4 different flavors, and they come in shareable (and resealable) bags. Try Almond Popcorn Dipped in Milk Chocolate, Almond Popcorn Dipped in Dark Chocolate, Pecan Popcorn Dipped in Salted Caramel and Peanut Popcorn Dipped in Peanut Butter. The sun might make these a bit melted, but the kids don’t mind a bit, and they’ve got plenty of water to rinse off messy hands. I love the combination of sweet and salty, but especially the fact that they are made without artificial preservatives. I love opting for healthier snacking, especially when it tastes so good.
Are you ready to hit the water? Don’t forget to pick up a bag of Fisher Nut Exactly snack bites, available at retailers nationwide. Can’t find them near you, or want to try them on me? One Clever Housewife reader will win a Fisher prize pack on me, including a suite of the new Fisher NUT EXACTLY snack bites and a $50 Visa Gift Card! The giveaway ends at 11:59pm on 7/19. To enter, fill out the form below.
Sabrina CAREY says
We also pack an umbrella and a bungee cord..you never know when you’ll need to tie something up.
Stacy S. says
I also pack my phone in case of an emergency, but leave my purse in the trunk of my car 🙂
Laurel says
I want to try the Pecan Salted Caramel snacks out by my pool!
HS says
We plan to spend some time by the beach and pools this summer.
Susan Christy says
Went to my friends lake house over the 4th, but most of my summer is spent working in my yard, not at the pool or beach.
shelly peterson says
We plan to spend time at the lake and sometimes at the pool.
Nicole Dziedzic says
We plan to spend lots of time by the water this summer, Lake Erie here in Michigan is our favorite place to be!
Karen Glatt says
I have already gone to the Lake many times this summer. And the pools are having free swimming all week, so I will be taking my niece to the pool with me.
Donna says
Just came back from the lake and spent a lot of time by the water. Hope I can go one more time this summer.
Cathy French says
My boyfriend is spending a lot of time around water in our local ponds to fish as often as he can. I, however, have no plans around water this summer which is disappointing since I love the water so much.
Julie Murphy says
As soon as I get the pool up.
Powerhouse Pink says
I plan to go to some pools, but I need a new swimsuit first.
Sandy Klocinski says
We may spend some time at Kiawah Island or Folly Beach. They are both local and have public beaches
McKim says
We will spend some time at the local kid’s fishing pond with our grandson!
Geoff K says
We have a family trip planned to Ohio this summer, so we’ll be spending time at Lake Erie for sure.
David Fultner says
We have the pool going.
Shannon Baas says
At the local lake.
Heather says
My uncle has a pool and we are trying to spend as much time as possible at the pool!!
Betty says
We have a pool and do not live far from the Jersey Shore. Given all that, we do spend a lot of time near water
Nancy says
I prefer to stay indoors in hot weather.
Victoria Gammage says
I plan to spend a lot of time working out in my garden this summer. I’m not really a “beach” person and do not have any close by where I live.
Brooke Owens says
We go to the pool on base all the time.
kelly tupick says
I plan on spending sime down at Old Orchard Beach in August. I ca’nt wait to go and just relax for a bit.
Carolyn Benson says
Yes I certainly do plan to spend time by water because I own a house on a lake and I love it.
Amy Orvin says
I don’t plan to spend time at a pool this summer.
Danielle D says
At the pool.
Sus says
The local pool each morning.
Margaret Smith says
At the beach in So. Carolina when we visit family this summer.
Tabathia B says
We plan on spending time at myrtle beach and at the pool located at the resort
Jaque R. says
No plans to be near the water this summer….I live in the desert, we spend our summers in air conditioned areas. 🙂 Thank you.
Elena says
I am spending time in Hawaii right now
beth shepherd says
We like to go fishing at the lake. Thank you
Jo-Ann Brightman says
Unfortunately we will not spend time by the water except for a trip to my son’s home.
Ann Fantom says
I plan to spend time by the ocean in Myrtle Beach, SC
harold says
I plan on spending time at our neighbor’s pool.
crystal gibson says
I actually live on Nolin Lake in Kentucky so we go to the water quite often.
Kim D. says
We will be spending some time at the beach.
Karen Deva says
W have a pool in our neighborhood so I’m sure we will spend some time there.
Tari Lawson says
I plan to go to the beach with a friend this summer.
Cynthia C says
Ill be heading for the beach later this summer.
Amy Pratt says
I’m land locked so no beach for me. I do have a backyard pond though.
D Schmidt says
We plan to spend many days by the water this summer.
Tarah says
We’ll be on the lake a lot this summer!
Becca says
I don’t have any plans to go to the water this summer. I should probably try to get to the beach!
nickie says
I plan on spending time at the beach.
Janet W. says
We are planning to spend time by the water on our vacation in Florida at the beach!
Barbara Montag says
We will be going to the lake for some fishing and relaxation the second week in August.
thank you
Cheryl says
I’m not planning to spend time by the water this summer.
Laura J says
We will be spending alot of time in our pool. We all love to swim!
Debbi Wellenstein says
I will be visiting family this summer. and they are by a lake.
heather s says
We go to the pool in the summer
Richard Hicks says
We will spend time at Carolina Beach this summer
Suzanne K says
I’ll probably spend some time by/in my neighbor’s pool.
trisha kilpatrick says
I swam in the pool at my sister-in-law’s house a few weeks ago. Otherwise, I plan to avoid water this summer.
Bonnie Day says
We live near the Suwannee River and several springs and that’s where we like to go swim
rich morris says
Oh yea, we try to go the water park as much as we can and can’t wait for vacation
MelissaO says
WE only live about ten minute from the beach, so we definitely spend a bit of time on the water. Even if it is just going for a cocktail overlooking the ocean or bay.
Crystal F says
My daughter has a 3 day softball tournament at the beach next month so we will be spending time in the water. Thankyou!
Brittney House says
We will either be at Indiana dunes or downtown Chicago beaches.
Andrea Williams says
We go to the pool at our apartment building in the summer.
Rebecca Graham says
I am going to the water parks this summer.
Ashley C says
We have already been to the beach twice and we spend lots of time out by the pool!
Austin Baroudi says
I’ll be at the beach nearly every day this summer!
Monique Rizzo says
We will be spending a few weekends at Ocean Shores and La Push this summer. Thanks for the chance.
Mary Calabrese says
The problem with spending time by the lake is the bugs that bother me.
Kimberly Hilbert says
We have our own pool and we’ll be spending a lot of time in it. Like your kids, my girl is very fair and always has to have sunscreen.
Jen Reed says
We are visiting a water park next week and Cancun beaches later in the month.
Tracy Melhinch says
I am moving to Oregon, and will be close to the cost, so plan on spending time by the ocean!
Danielle says
We have a few places we like to take our kayaks to and spend the day. One is here in my town at the reservoir and then there are a couple lakes in the mountains close by
rochelle haynes says
No i am not planning to get in the water this summer
Serge B says
We will be visiting the beach a few times,,only about 90 minutes away
Donna Pyszk says
Yes we are going to the beach a few times this summer.
Robin says
We are planning on going to the beach at the end of the month.
Zenetta says
We are planning to go to the beach in August.
Christina Sparks says
No, must of the lakes near where I am have dried up beside I would rather go camping.
Chris Martinez says
My kids love going to the river. It’s close to our house!
Pat B says
I can’t take the heat or the sun, so I won’t be spending time by the water. I love my air conditioning!
Bridget Heiple Reich says
We just got back from Florida and spent time in the water there! 🙂
Kathleen says
We have been spending time by water most of the summer.
kport207 at gmail dot com
kyl neusch says
spend time at the lake
Susan Chester says
The Sandy River in Oregon and Blue Lake Park are where I am hoping to spend my sumner days.
Aaron says
I have no summer water plans =/
Danielle Marie says
i really want to go to the beach a few times this summer. 🙂
Karen Drake says
I plan to spend some time by the pool this summer.
Erica B. says
By our local beach.
Rita A says
I am always in and out of my backyard swimming pool during the summer! It is the only way to stay cool!
Paula Michele Hafner says
We like to walk down to the beach some during the week. It gets too crowded on the weekends!
Giant Sis says
We hang out at our apartment pool! Close and refreshing!
Katherine says
We are going to the local Presque Isle Beach
Katie J says
We plan on visiting the lake this summer, and also the beach if we can!
clynsg says
We have our own in-ground pool, so that is where we will be.
Rosanne Morrison says
We just went to Florida but it’s been more waterparks and pools
Michelle W says
I will be spending time at a water pack at the end of this month. I also live close to the ocean so I spend a lot of time at the beach.
Michele Baron says
My building has a pool and that’s where I’ll be during the day
Daniel M says
won’t be spending any time near the water, to busy trying to survive
Susan Smith says
We have a pool in our neighborhood so I’m sure we will spend some time there
John says
Just got back from Palm Springs. Enjoyed plenty of pool time & luckily it wasn’t too hot yet.
Michelle Garrity says
Siesta Key Beach, where I live
Brad Merrell says
I recently bought a kayak, so I’ll be spending time at a lake near my house
tallcapp says
I live by the water, so when I go on vacation I am looking for a different kind of scenery.
Tara Woods says
I have no plans to spend time by the water this summer.
Amber S. says
Yes, I’ll be spending time by water…in our backyard pool. I miss living by the beach!
Ellie Wright says
We have a Hawaiian Fallas water park not far from us. We will be spending time there this summer.
Claudia Davis says
Only when I am vacationing in Maine can I visit the beach.
nancy says
not this year – maybe next year
kim keithline says
I spend the whole summer by the water either outside at our pool, at the beach or on the boat fishing
Lisa V. says
I usually spend one day a week fishing the bay or the ocean.
Janice says
In the backyard.
Laurie Emerson says
We spend time at the beach and also on our water slide in the backyard.
Rebecca Lock says
We plan to spend time at the local pool.
Betty C says
We will be spending time at the lake and the local pool to keep cool
Debbie Ritenour says
We are planning on spending alot of time in the water this summer!
Shari Klyn says
My family plans to spend a couple of days at the waterpark.
Sue Barney says
We will be spending time at the Lake this summer!
Shannon says
I currently have no plans to spend time by the water, I’d love to take a trip to the beach though.
Amy Deeter says
we plan on going to the lake this summer and also to a beach in Florida as well
Eugenia Hall says
I’m not sure if we’ll be spending any time by the water this summer, we have very few vacation plans and don’t own or belong to a pool. It sure would be nice to do so though.
Penny Snyder says
I plan to spend time by the water in Michigan this summer!!~
Carol Mclemore says
Me and my kids spend alot of time at my mother in laws pool in the summer!
Karen Gonyea says
We are camping at Tupper Lake this summer 🙂
Kristi C says
We go to the local lakes or pools on the weekends.
Kate Newton says
We live on the coast of northern California, literally like a couple blocks from the ocean. That being said, we go to the beach a lot! We are planning on going inland to the river a lot during the summer too. I like that the water is warmer and its not so dangerous! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Aaron Bretveld says
I would like to spend some time near the water this summer but I don’t have access to a pool or other water that I’d want to spend time in.
joni says
We live along a creek and that’s has far as we will go this year.
Brandi Goolsby says
We can’t afford a beach trip this summer (boo), but we plan on spending as much time as we can by the pool and at the lake. Just took the kids yesterday in fact, and the water was perfect – we had fun!
Samantha says
We will be near the water after we move into our house next week and have some time to relax and go to the beach!
Peggy Rydzewski says
The family are renting a cabin for a week on the lake. always a great time
Stephanie Phelps says
We have spent as many days as possible at the lake this summer!
annette campbell says
We live at the beach,so I would spend lots of time by the water at the beach
Cathy Truman says
We like to go to the beach and we go to the lakes on the weekends for boating and swimming.
Stephanie Galbraith says
My family is going camping by the water.
Brian E. says
Thank You for the giveaway…kids are in the pool every day; also we have a few more extended weekend trips to the beach planned before summer’s end.
tina reynolds says
We love going hiking and geocaching
Cheryl Reinhardt says
We are surrounded by Lakes in our area , but we plan to spend time the most around Lake Corde lane Idaho
Sarah L says
I swim 3 times a week (all year round).
Thanks for the contest.
Breanne says
I plan on spending it at the beach.