Inside: Top picks for fun and affordable pool floaties plus how to use them for your Backyard BBQ decor!
We don’t have a pool, but we do live a few seconds from a stunning beach; and we also go to our family cottage every year. In my opinion, pool floaties are an absolute MUST HAVE if you’re going to be lounging anywhere near the water.
Today, in anticipation of the summer season, I’m rounding up some of my absolute favorite pool floaties you can buy to get the jump on summer! You might laugh and wonder why I need to devote an entire post to this. But guys – last summer, it took my Mom, my Aunt and I like 45 minutes to decide which floaties to buy LOL. So I figured I could at least offer some direction 😛
Things to look for in a Pool Floatie
How much to spend on Pool Floaties
Pool floaties are meant to be fun and not break the bank. I’ve also noticed that no matter what you spend on them, once they are blown up, they are at risk of puncture. So my first word of advice is to not spend a whole lot on your floaties. I’d say if you’re under the $50 range, you’ll be good to go.
How to repair Pool Floaties
When the holes inevitably appear in your pool floatie (sad face), there are a few ways to repair it so that you can get more use out of it.
- Add a bit of dish soap to some water and pour it into your floatie. Push down and watch where the bubbles appear. This will help you find the leak or puncture.
- Some higher quality floaties come with a patch system. If this is the case, remove the adhesive backing from your patch and apply it over the puncture. Seal it well with the glue that’s included.
- If your floatie did not come with a patch system, you can make your own with Gorilla Glue and oil cloth or small pieces of duck cotton. Simply trim the cloth as small as you can and glue it down well with the Gorilla Glue. Allow it to dry for about 24 hours before submerging it back into the water.
Styles of Pool Floaties
They are so fun, but there are lots of styles and you might want to consider how you are going to use your pool float in the long term. Questions to ask are things like;
- will I be lounging or actively swimming?
- Do I want it to hold a drink?
- Do I want my floatie to hold more than one person?
- Is it going to be used as a platform to jump from?
All good questions and the answers will direct you to the awesomest pool floatie ever.
Now without further ado – some of my favorite picks for Pool Floaties! You can see the entire list here in my Amazon Storefront too!
Affordable and Fun Pool Floaties
SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy, Blue/Green Octopus
Perfect as Baby's First pool floatie! I especially love the sun screen on this one. It could work on the pool deck or beach as well.
Sunnylife Cactoss Inflatable Cactus Shaped Ring Toss Beach or Pool Toy, Great Game for Kids and Adults
I love me some ring toss! And this inflatable cactus ring toss game is the cutest!
Vickea Inflatable Pineapple Pool Float Raft Large Outdoor Swimming Pool Inflatable Float Toy Floatie Lounge Toy for Adults & Kids
Pineapple floatie. An example of a single person floatie for the beach goer who just wants to chill by themselves.
Intex Wave Rider Ride-On, 46" X 30.5", for Ages 3+
Teenaged boys? Get the this floatie. The end.
SwimWays Millennium Falcon Ride-On Float
Don't bother buying this one. I bought them all already LOL I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know there is a Millennium Falcon Pool Floatie in this world. There is also a Death Star Beach Ball if you check out the other suggested products LOL
Intex Inflat-A-Bull Novelty
This looks like way too much fun. A mechanical bull pool floatie??! Sign me up.
GoFloats Fire Dragon Party Tube Inflatable Raft, Set Your Summer on Fire (for Adults and Kids)
Dragons on the water? Yes! This is an amazing Game of Thrones inspired pool floatie! Perfect for a themed BBQ!
CoolerZ Rapid Rider X4 Inflatable 4-Person Island Tube
Jump in, grab a drink and drift off into the middle of the lake with this incredible and giant raft like floatie. This one is definitely more substantial than the average, and would be a huge investment... but what fun!
JOYIN Giant Inflatable Pizza Slice Pool Float, Fun Pool Floaties, Swim Party Toy, Summer Pool Raft (1 Pack), Extra Large with Cup Holders
I want a pizza that pool floatie 🙂
GoFloats Tropical Parrot Pool Float Party Tube - Float in Style (for Adults and Kids)
I picked this one just because the model in the pic looks so unnatural. Look at me posing on my parrot?
Baby Pool Float Swimming Float with Canopy Inflatable Floatie Swim Ring for Kids Aged 9-36 Months
Baby Shark Pool Floatie! Also great for little people!
Coconut Pool Float; Giant Peacock Pool Raft, 7' Pool Float, 87"
I was trying to find the exact floatie I bought last year and this is the closest I came. Mine is a mermaid head with a mer-tail, but this peacock is a close second.
Convinced Child Swim Ring Orange Cartoon Summer Outdoor Beach Pool InflatableAvailable in 4 sizes Swim Ring Pool Floats for Adult (D)
For the colorista and designer! This is a very chic pool floatie.
Intex Giant Gator Ride-On, 80" X 45", for Ages 3+
My daughter is obsessed with crocodiles and alligators right now. Not gonna lie - that kinda freaks me out... but this crocodile pool floatie looks like so much fun! I especially like the handles on the side.
Swimline UFO Spaceship Squirter
This one has a built in water gun. The end.
Jasonwell Inflatable Avocado Pool Float - Floatie with Ball Water Fun Large Blow Up Summer Beach Swimming Floaty Party Lounge Raft Kids Adults
I can avocado this floatie? (For the record, I think this one is very weird).
The Rosé Floaté® Pool Float Giant Inflatable Raft - Premium Rosé Wine Bottle Float
Don't drink and float. But float and dream of drinking? I dunno. I find this one kinda pretentious... but whatever floats your boat...eerrrr.... butt... err... you know what I mean.
Swimline Giant Shootball Basketball Swimming Pool Game Toy
This looks like loads of fun! A floating basket ball net! Yes please!
Intex Sit 'n Lounge Inflatable Pool Float, 47" Diameter, for Ages 8+, 1 Pack (Colors May Vary)
These look boring, but the oval shape design makes them really comfy to sit in for long periods of time. Perfect for the serious pool lounger.
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