The weather whiplash is so real right now. In my family alone (and this is not even a big family) we’ve somehow covered snow shoveling, 70-degree backyard play, and 100-degree turn-on-the-AC energy all in the last week. So wherever you are on that spectrum, sunny weather is coming if it hasn’t already.
Last week we asked if you wanted a follow-up issue with our favorite tested gadgets and gizmos for pool and beach vacation days, and the answer was yes. So this week is a little different. Fewer classic “tips,” more stuff we actually used and would absolutely pack again.
The bar here was pretty simple: Is it easy to bring? Does it actually get used? Does it make a pool, beach, or splash-pad day more fun, less annoying, or both? Here’s what made the cut.
Note: A lot of these picks skew infant/toddler because that’s the stage we’re in right now, but several of them also work really well for early swimmers and bigger kids too.
In this issue:
✅ Water toys that got played with way more than expected
✅ Packable beach and pool gear that actually earned the space
✅ A few practical favorites for less-chaotic sunny days
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Favorites we’d actually pack again
⭐️ Starfish diving toys - LINK
We liked these way more than the usual dive sticks or rings. The sea star shape makes them easy to grab, which is fun for older kids practicing underwater skills, but they were also great for digging and playing in the sand.
🐙 Squishy octopus water balls - LINK
I originally got these for my toddler, but my infant was fully obsessed. She loved the squishy texture, and honestly the adults kept picking them up too. Very silly, very fun, weirdly a hit with everyone.
🐠 Jelly fish with scoop - LINK
These were the unexpected star of the trip. My toddler loved scooping them up, the adults loved fidgeting with them, and people literally came over to ask what they were.
🦀 Suction cup toys in the little egg case - LINK
These are such a good crossover toy. Pool, bath, airplane window, hotel window, random smooth surface at a restaurant, they work in so many places, and the little egg container means they’re self-contained. Plus, we ended up using it as a water scoop more than once, including in the hotel bathtub.
🪣 Collapsible beach buckets - LINK
A real space-saver and so much less annoying than regular buckets. They fold down flat, which means they’re actually easy to throw in a suitcase or beach bag instead of becoming the awkward thing that keeps falling off the pile in your arms.
🛍️ Mesh sand bags -LINK
Nothing groundbreaking here, just genuinely useful. Sand falls right through, which is exactly what we want after a beach day when everything we own is somehow crunchy. They’re also easy to pre-pack and throw in a suitcase so all your toys are contained and ready to go.
🧤 Sand remover mitts - LINK
A tiny bit gimmicky, yes, but still nice to have. They get sand off without us aggressively rubbing down toddler legs with a towel like we’re trying to refinish a chair.
👚 Towel poncho - LINK
Honestly one of those "do I really need this" things, but this was so practical with a toddler. It stays on, they can actually walk in it without tripping, and it made the transition out of the pool way easier. More than once we just changed the swim diaper, threw on the poncho, handed over a snack, and walked back to the room like that.
🩱 Full-body swimsuit / rash guard - LINK
10 out of 10 recommend. I’d previously bought the kind with long sleeves that stopped at the knees, but the full-body version is even better. More sun protection, less stress about reapplying sunscreen, and the extra coverage is great for crawling, kneeling, and inevitable kid wipeouts on sand or cement. (Had 2 ladies tell me "I wish we had that when my kids were small!")
🛟 Coast Guard-approved life jacket - LINK
This one is less a “favorite” and more a thing worth saying clearly: make sure whatever you buy is Coast Guard approved and actually fits your child correctly. Infant, child, and youth sizing matters. If you’ve got a baby, details like head and neck support matter too.
⛱️ Infant float with canopy - LINK
For a very young baby, we actually loved this. Yes, it slightly contradicts what we said above, but this was a pool-only purchase with the intention of being 100 percent hands-on the entire time. Ours could kick her little feet, stay shaded, and play with a toy without everything immediately floating away thanks to the flat rim. It was also nice that it packed down easily since it was inflatable. Naps have never been so long.
☀️ Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen - LINK
Kid sunscreen pricing continues to feel rude, but this is the one we keep reaching for. We’ve tried other options and still come back to this one because it absorbs well, feels reliable, and has held up for us even on really intense sunny days.
🏊♀️Hello Bello Swim Diapers - LINK
We’ve tried a few different brands of swim diapers and really liked these. They didn’t puff up, contained what they needed to, and we were able to use the same size for our infant and small toddler. Also, the lobster print was just adorbs.
Three tiny tips
1. You don’t need it all. We promise.
It’s so tempting to pack everything, but honestly, kids and adults can get creative. One of the top “toys” we used was the big resin bangles I was wearing in the pool, for hide-and-seek, “diving,” and more. We all know the most important thing is snacks, anyway.
2. Bring at least one toy that works in multiple places.
Bath, pool, plane, hotel window. We love a crossover episode.
3. Pack the toys in the actual bag you’ll carry.
Not the imaginary giant beach tote in your head. The real one. It’s the fastest way to see what fits and avoid bringing twelve things you don’t actually need.
💼 This Week’s Work WTF
Inspired by real life events.
Scenario:
Your out-of-office should close the door, not leave it cracked. If your OOO says “I’ll be checking periodically,” people will absolutely take you up on that.
What We Wish We Could Say:
“If it’s truly urgent, please contact someone who is, in fact, at work.”
Steal This Response:
“I’m out of office through [date] and not monitoring email. If something is urgent, please contact [name]. Otherwise I’ll respond when I return.”
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “Confused if it's spring or summer” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
P.S. Next week: Lunch Isn’t Food. It’s Decisions. We’re making lunch easier with mix-and-match formulas, repeatable combos, and a screenshot-worthy cheat sheet.
*Quick note: Some links in here may be affiliate links. You know the drill- if you buy something, we might earn a small commission that helps offset the time we spend making JuiceBox. Thank you for supporting this project of ours.
Vacation + snack vibes for dayyys.