Pack the Perfect Swim Bag for Kids (It’s a Cool Gift Idea, Too!)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

My kids love to swim at the community pool in the summer. It’s got a lazy river that goes all the way around it. They probably swim at least a hundred miles in that lazy river over the course of the summer. Swimming is a great way for them to get exercise and have fun while they are at it.

Any mom who has taken kids to the pool knows that you end up bringing a ton of extra stuff. Towels, swimming pool toys, and sunscreen just to name a few. My pool bag literally overflows with everything we HAVE TO HAVE when we go swimming. I decided it was time for my older kids to get their own swim bag so they could bring all the extras they were willing to carry.

The kids were on board with this idea when they found out I was going to take them shopping at Walmart to help pick out super fun stuff like pool toys for the swim bag. The best part is secretly knowing I was going to buy the pool toys for them no matter what – but this way, I got something out of the deal! 

My son was in charge of picking the toys. I made sure to include the must-haves like a towel and sun protection. We both decided that a loaded swim bag like this would make cool gift idea for kids, especially those with summer birthdays. Take a look at how we packed our swim bag and get ideas for when you make your own.

We decided to start out with a drawstring backpack because they are lightweight and easy for kids to pack and unpack. It is also easy to wash when it gets dirty.

What’s Inside:

• Beach towel
• Goggles
• Assorted Pool Toys
• Banana Boat® Sun Protection

A colorful beach towel is a must for everyone at the pool. My kids also love goggles and all sorts of pool toys. They really like the toy torpedoes that sink to the bottom so they can swim down and retrieve them. Lately, my boys have been really into their water guns, so of course we had to get the biggest one!

Our Utah sun is intense in every season. We have gotten in the habit of using sunscreen to prevent sunburn and protect against long-term skin damage and skin cancer. Since we are outside almost all day every day in the summertime, we use a lot of sunscreen this time of year. Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions: sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat – to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family.

Part of my Mom job description is to be the Official Applier of Sunscreen. I have to remember to re-apply the recommended amount of sunscreen every 1-2 hours to keep all of us protected from harmful rays.

Banana Boat® sunscreens come in many different forms (lotions, sprays, sticks) and UVA/UVB protection levels. I have found that the Banana Boat® UltraMist Sunscreens™ make it easy for me to apply sunscreen to myself and the kids. For the little ones, Banana Boat® makes Baby and Kid sunscreen lotions and mists in sting-free and tear-free formulas.

We like to use the Banana Boat® Kids Stick Sunscreen ™ and/or Sports Performance Sunscreen Stick™ for the kids’ faces. I discovered Sunscreen Sticks last year and they are awesome! Even my youngest kids don’t mind sitting still while I apply the sunscreen to their faces. It glides on really easy and I can get good coverage without missing any spots. The sticks are also good to use on ears and lips.

I toss a Banana Boat® Sunscreen Lip Balm with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E in our bag to keep our lips hydrated and protected from harmful sun rays. To learn more about Banana Boat® products and for your chance to win The Great Big Family Reunion vacation giveaway, visit Banana Boat®.

What are your family’s favorite summer activities? Whether you are swimming, hiking, biking or simply eating outdoors, remember to bring along your favorite Banana Boat® sunscreen products. I’d love to hear which ones you like to use. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.