Time to Get Pool-Ready!

Parents everywhere know that planning for a summer day out at the pool can be a daunting task. Making sure everyone has their towel, bathing suit, sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, hat, and pool toys can cause an enormous amount of stress for any parent, organized or not! To help make your life a bit easier, Babiators™ has compiled a list of the top ten necessary items for the pool. In order to keep your kids both SAFE & HAPPY on these hot summer days, we recommend the following must-have items:

• Sunscreen – Everyone understands sunscreen with a high SPF is a summer MUST-HAVE for not only children and babies, but adults as well! Protection from the sun’s damaging rays helps to prevent wrinkles, skin damage, sunburn and premature aging. The Super Mom (ultimate Mom Blogger!) put together at GREAT list of sunscreens in 2009 that we thought was so perfect, we couldn’t overlook the list for 2011. Check it out and see the great brands represented on the list: http://bit.ly/VqXVU.

• Floats (With Canopy) – For extra protection from the sun while splashing in the pool, try out a Swim Ways baby float with sun canopy! These floats block 90 percent of harmful UV rays. Try out a canopy pool or see the enormous selection of pool floats, toys and games – here.

• Swim Diapers - Many states require swim diapers when diaper-aged children use a public pool. When a swim diaper fits properly, most bacteria including E.coli are prevented from entering the water. In order to prevent a messy pool accident, look at the neat designs and patterns for swim diapers at My Swim Baby.

• SPF Swimsuits – Either at the beach or pool, your child is at risk of UV rays. Protective swimsuits can block harmful rays from the sun and are also rash-proof. Ensure that your child has a great day outside without getting a sunburn by finding the perfect SPF swimsuit. Alex & Me Company has a great selection for babies and children!

• Towels – No kid wants a boring towel! Stitch Sensations has a great selection of hooded towels that are decorative and creative. Perfect for any trip to the beach, pool or even just for a bath. Let you child explore the wild side with these fun towels.

• Goggles – Every mom has seen this scenario – kids swimming all day without goggles and the burning, red eyes that result from chlorine! Well, protect children’s eyes while under water and see the great selection of goggles from Swim Outlet.

• Pool Toys – Always a summer-time favorite, pool toys help keep kids entertained for hours! With an enormous selection of unique and hard-to-find pool toys, floats and games, Toy Splash has anything you ever dreamed of for the pool.

• Floppy Hats – One-third of all skin cancer appears on the FACE! It is important to shade children’s faces in order to prevent sunburn, premature aging and skin damage. Babiators recommends keeping a hat (preferably one with SPF) on your child at all times while outdoors. Our friends over at SunGrubbies.com have a few more hat tips and suggestions here: http://bit.ly/hDnOSe. Also, check out their wonderful selection of cute baby & young children hats on the site as well! http://bit.ly/aWDrCj.

• Flip-Flops – Oh, when the sun comes out to play, it is time to bring out the flip-flops! We found super cute flip-flops for kids with great designs and colors. Check out the entire selection at Havaianas Kids online store.

• Sunglasses – Of course we saved the best for last! Sunglasses for children are our specialty! We have four great colors for summer – Black Ops Black, Rockstar Red, Princess Pink, and Blue Angles Blue. Babiators offer 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays. They're also 100 percent BPA-free, and they meet or exceed CPSIA safety standards for children's products. Plus, they’re made of rubber so they’re virtually indestructible! Check out our collection at Babiators.com.