Anyone who owns a pool knows it's not enough to fill it up with water and jump in. Yes, swimming and splashing are enjoyable activities, but the backyard swimming experience is made more pleasurable with the addition of pool toys. While this may seem like kids stuff, you can be assured that pool toys are enjoyable for people of all ages and a must for any family who enjoys backyard water sports.
Common pool toys include inflatable floats, loungers and rings. These turn pool time into a more relaxing experience. Indeed, there's nothing like floating on air and water to forget about the world around you. These pool toys come in many shapes and sizes. Some are flat and shaped like a raft while others look like a big comfy chair. Inflatable rings are helpful for keeping children afloat but should never be used as a life saving device. In fact, very young children would be better off wearing a life vest to keep above water than using a pool toy.
Keep in mind when purchasing an inflatable pool toy that one usually gets what one pays for. Inflatable pool toys are always in danger of losing air. Those who possess many inflatable pool toys would be well advised to keep a patch kit handy just in case. Noodles -- long, thin, colored pieces of Styrofoam -- will not only keep you above water, but won't lose any air. You can float on Noodles, but you can't lie out on them like inflatable loungers.
For those who don't see the swimming pool as a lazy, relaxing experience, there are also plenty of activities to keep busy in the water. The inflatable beach ball has always been a favorite among pool toys. This lightweight oldie but goodie is a must for volleying and indulging in a game of water dodgeball. It gets better, though. Now, floating volleyball and basketball sets are also available for the pool! These pool toys are essential for neighborhood pool parties.
The fun doesn't stop with volleyball and basketball, however. Other great pool toys geared towards keeping active include table tennis, golf, water polo and even tic-tac-toe. The bases float, making games more challenging and more fun.
Water sprayers, such as the famed Super Soaker, are fun in and out of the pool, while diving toys, such as small foam rockets, plastic rings and even small bean bags, will keep kids busy for hours.
When it comes to pool toys, the possibilities are endless. From floating to shooting hoops, there's something for everyone.
