It’s summer and that means pool parties, the beach and family events!
We’ve compiled some of our favorites when it comes to swimwear and fashions, accessories and games… everything your family needs to prep for a “cool” summer.
PROTECTIVE SWIMWEAR
From sunrise until sunset at the pool or beach, SwimZip‘s girls Surf Suit is a sun protective rash guard and swimsuit in one! Their back zip body suit swimsuit for babies and toddlers offers superior sun protection while making diaper changing a breeze because it’s easy to zip right off. All SwimZip swimwear styles safeguard your kids from the sun with UPF 50+ and UV Protection blocking 98% UVA & UVB rays. Plus their colors and styles are super fun too!
FAMILY MATCHING SWIMWEAR
From the pool to the resort, Snapper Rock has great options to keep you safe from the sun and looking fabulous. They have coordinating suit options if you want your kiddos to match or even if mom or dad want to join in on the fun. They also have rash guards and coverups that coordinate with the suits too. The best part is that the suits and clothing are all SPF 50 to make sure that your skin is protected.
Whether you’re headed to a pool party or the beach for Fourth of July, what better way to show your love for the USA then with matching family swim suits from Hanna Anderson. Then when you’re done swimming or are headed to the barbecue they have these adorable outfits for mommy and kids. From dresses to tops and rompers hanna Anderson uses the softest materials so you will stay cool while looking cool and showing your patriotism as a family.
TROPICAL FASHIONS
Not everyone at a pool party wants to get in the water. Families are busy grilling, playing outdoor games and enjoying conversation. From palm trees to pineapples, Tea Collection‘s tropical fashions are comfortable and add flair to any summer event. Plus we love what Tea is accomplishing with their brand. Twice each year, Tea designers go out into the world in search of inspiration for their children’s clothing collection. They discover new places and faces, time-honored traditions and handmade creations. And then they bring the world home and translate it into a twirly floral dress, a vibrant graphic tee, or a sweet baby romper. And every single Tea purchase gives back to The Global Fund for Children.
Moms are always looking for the perfect summer dress and whether that has a vacation vibe or more classic, we love our dresses. Sometimes it’s hard to find a flattering maternity style that can be worn during pregnancy and even after baby — but this Rachel Pally birds of paradise dress does just that! My first introduction to the designer’s dresses was shopping for this pregnancy. She designs clothing to make woman feel comfortable, fashionable and beautiful… and I definitely feel this is accomplished when I wear one of her dresses. I absolutely love them. My favorite style is the caftan. Pally is a mother of two of young children and her collections are designed to go from day to night, work to play. After I got more educated about the brand I learned it wasn’t just maternity! She has a contemporary collection, bridal, even plus sizes — there really is something for every body type. Most of her prints and colors cross all lines too.
ACCESSORIES: SUNGLASSES, SWIM GOGGLES, SANDALS & TOWELS
In the water or out of the water it is so important to protect our little ones eyes. We love Babiators sunglasses because not only do they protect from harmful UV rays but they have a guarantee for one year if you break or lose them. Which we know is key when it comes to kids and sunglasses. They also have these great submariners swim goggles for the pool. They are also 100% UV protectant, have anti-fog lenses and have easily adjustable straps. As I talked to swim instructor they said it’s important to pick a swim goggle that stays on and it comes down to the straps. If the goggles stay on the child is more inclined to focus during their swim lesson versus having to keep adjusting ones that fall off or get water in their eyes.
Sandals are staples in the summer for kids and adults alike. pediped® has quickly become a family favorite and a staple in our house. Their stylish designs are the ultimate in comfort, and each pair is specifically engineered to promote healthy foot development. The award-winning shoes come in over 130 styles from newborn to size 6 youth. Which means they have a style that fits every need for summer from sandals to athletic styles, some are machine washable and they have waterproof styles.
Everyone loves the comfort of Ugg boots especially after being in the chilly ocean. We love Koolaburra which is the little sister of Ugg and they have some great sandal and shoe options to make you look great at the pool party. They have a cushioned footbed and super soft suede. Koolaburras come in a variety of colors and styles for all your pool party outfits. They even have canvas slip ons in a variety of colors and styles if you didn’t get time to get a pedicure or need to chase after a toddler.
When we would have pool parties we always ended up needing to have towels on hand for our guests. Pottery Barn Kids has a great variety of towels from your favorite Disney princesses to mermaids, whales and evening Lightning McQueen. They even have adorable matching totes to pack your towel and snacks in. And if you are the one hosting the pool party, they have some great inflatables like these beach balls and whale pool. If you need a place to store your towels or other pool gear, they have this adorable crab and other cute décor items.
FAMILY GAME TIME
Who doesn’t love a good family game night? But think large scale and outside during the day… and voila, you have Tosso. It’s an online store & blog in Poway that inspires active, unplugged, fun experiences, through beautifully designed, unique games, products and information. Their founder created and invented Ladder Golf in the early 200s, but they have Giant Four in a Row, Corn Hole, a Giant Block Tower and more. The family-owned business wants every family to #HaveMoreFun. We know you’ll have a blast playing their top-notch games.
POOL AND WATER SAFETY
If you are going to be hanging out by the pool it is so important to make sure your children have taken swim lessons and learn about water safety. When I was little we were at our neighbors house checking out their new pool. I got a little too curious and fell in. But thankfully not only were there adults there but I had taken swim lessons at the YMCA and knew how to swim to the side for safety. With locations throughout the county, the YMCA is a great option for those needing swim lessons. Even if your child has taken classes before it’s always great to take a refresher class each year. The Y has a variety of classes for every ability from those just starting out to those wanting to try out for the swim team.
One of the hardest parts of going to the pool or beach is figuring out what to do with little ones. You want them to enjoy the fun but you want them to stay contained and not worry about them getting too much sun. The Bbluv Nido is great for that. It provides an enclosed play area and the shade has an SPF of 50 to protect little ones. The best part of the Bbluv Nido is that it folds up easy so you can throw it in your car and take it with you wherever you go.
