10 things you need to be water-ready this summer

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School is finally out and summer weather is officially here! My kids love being outdoors all day long and they both love water play, whether it’s playing in the sprinkler in the backyard, a nearby splash pad, a day at the pool or a trip to the beach. Knowing what to pack or have on hand at home can make or break the water time fun. Here’s my list of 10 things you’ll want to be water-ready all summer long:

(This post is part of our partnership with Goldfish Swim School)

1. Sunscreen – Choosing a good sunscreen is probably one of the most important things about playing outdoors with your kids. Our family always tried to be mindful of the ingredients in the products we use around the house and on our bodies. Sunscreen is a big one since traditional sunscreens can have some pretty concerning ingredients. If you’re looking for something that’s a little cleaner, Badger and Thinkbaby are two that we use, but you can find a great list here.

2. Water shoes – Water shoes are especially great for the backyard, splash pad or playing in the creek. They allow my kids to run around as much as they want while keeping their toes protected. My boys live in See Kai Run’s water shoes practically all summer long. The Saylor shoes are my favorite, because they’re more sneaker-like and make it easy to go from playing in the water to running errands around town. But if you prefer something that’s more like a sandal, their Jetty, Cyrus and Paley styles are perfect.

3. Swimsuit – Obviously if you’re planning on your little ones playing in water, you’re most like going to want a good swimsuit. They dry fast and even offer some additional sun protection. Lucky for us, there are plenty of adorable options out there. SwimZip is one of our favorite brands. Their suits hold up so well – Caleb is actually wearing one of Liam’s old suits and it still looks brand new. SwimZip’s euro shorties are my favorite for toddlers, because chunky thighs. Albion Fit is another brand that has high quality suits. Several of our beloved small shops rolled out swimsuits this year too. If you like shopping small, check out brands like Brooklynn & Grey, Dream Big Little Co and George Hats.

4. Reliable swim diaper – Swim diapers are a must if you have a little one who isn’t potty trained yet. Disposable swim diapers are really handy to have on hand so you’re ready for water play whenever the weather’s nice. Our family loves the swim diapers from Pampers, but the Huggies ones work great too. Cloth swim diapers are a great way to save money (and help the environment). Some of our favorite reusable cloth swim diapers include iPlay and Thirsties.

5. Wet bag – This is probably the thing I forget most often, but it’s important too! If you’re playing in the water away from home, you’ll definitely want something to hold wet swimsuits and towels so they don’t get everything else soaked. Wet bags are perfectly designed for this scenario – they easily contain all your wet items on the inside while the outside of the bag stays nice and dry. Wet bags come in a variety of sizes. This one is perfect for holding a few wet bathing suits an accessories.

6. Sun protective gear – Sun safety isn’t just about sunscreen and bathing suits. Accessories like rash guards, sunglasses and hats are all helpful in keeping our kids’ skin safe from the sun.

7. Swim safety knowledge – It’s important to teach our kids about staying safe around the water as early as possible. Our friends at Goldfish Swim School recommend starting swim lessons as young as four months old to get them used to the water. They also start teaching basic swim safety skills at a young age, like how to safely get out of the water and how to flip on your back and float. Liam’s lessons at Goldfish have been so helpful in growing his confidence (and mine) about being safe in the water. It’s important that parents know swim safety basics too. I’ve been CPR-certified in the past, but this reminds me that I should take a refresher course. I’m also so thankful that I’m married to a first responder who is a CPR instructor and also able to think quickly in an emergency.

Related: Water safety tips for families

8. Life jacket or swim vest – Sometimes you need a little extra support, even if your little ones know how to swim. A life jacket like this one is necessary for boating, but we sometimes like to take a puddle jumper along for a little help when managing two kids in the pool. Liam’s swim skills are improving, but the puddle jumper really comes in handy when there’s one parent trying to manage two kids in the water. It gives him a little more freedom to move than a traditional life jacket, but it also helps keep his head above water and only needs minimal guidance from me.

9. A list of local pools and splash pads – Part of having a great summer is knowing all that there is to do nearby. We tend to circle the same couple of places most of the time, but every once in a while it’s fun to branch out and pick a new spot to try. Even better – invite a friend along and make it a play date! A quick search online is a great place to start. Local bloggers are also a great resource. For instance, my friend Julie at What Should We Do Today? Columbus has a great list of splash pads around central Ohio.

10. Snacks – My kids are total snackers in general, but especially when they’ve been out all morning playing in the sun and water. I always keep a few snacks on hand for when they’re taking a break or for the car ride home. The last thing you want is to get stuck somewhere with a hangry child, so make sure you’re prepared!