Pools are popular with kids of any age, whether that be in their own backyard, at a local swimming pool, or abroad at a resort. Having the right kids water toys for the pool can make all the difference when it comes to how much fun kids will have while spending time in the water, and they can provide hours of fun and entertainment while encouraging kids to be more active.
The latest kids pool accessories range from fun inflatables to interactive games that are sure to bring a smile to any kids’ faces. Read on to learn more about each of these toys.
Table of Contents
Overview of the global pool toys market
Top types of kids water toys for the pool
Conclusion
Overview of the global pool toys market
Out of all of the pool toys available for kids, the market has seen the most growth within the pool floats sector. Consumers are increasingly spending more time outdoors, especially in the summer months, which is helping to drive sales for kids’ water toys and accessories that add an extra level of fun to the pool experience.
Between 2022 and 2032, the market is expecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 6.6%, which is up from the 2.9% growth between 2017 and 2021.
In keeping with the growth in popularity of pools, the pool equipment market is also expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% between 2023 and 2028, bringing its total value up to at least US $33.8 billion.
Top types of kids pool toys
The water toys market is very diverse, with a large selection of kids water toys available for different age groups as well as interests. Whereas some pool toys are designed purely with fun in mind, others act as development tools for kids who may have just started to learn to swim or want to improve their swimming abilities.
Pool toys offer kids a fun way to interact in the water, and they are the perfect accessories to use in private swimming pools as well as in public pools such as those found at resorts or at local sports centers.
According to Google Ads, “pool toys” has an average monthly search volume of 40,500, with the most searches coming in July and August. During a 6-month period, between July and December, searches remained steady at 49,500.
When looking more closely at the most popular types of kids water toys, Google Ads shows that consumers are the most interested in the “inflatable pool slide” at 14,800 searches per month. This is followed by “squirt gun” at 12,100 searches, “inflatable pool toys” at 9,900 searches, and “dive toys” at 2,400 searches. Keep reading to learn about the key features of each of these kids’ water toys.
Inflatable pool slide
Inflatable pool slides are a fantastic addition to any pool, whether that be a kids paddling pool or a full-sized one. These slides are designed with an easy setup in mind and can be either attached to the side of a pool or sit securely at the edge of the pool to enable kids to climb to the top and slide down.
Inflatable pool slides are a popular alternative to plastic pool slides as they can be deflated quickly when they’re not needed, which not only saves space but also requires less maintenance overall.
Since these are designed with kids in mind, consumers will be looking for fun and colorful designs to attract attention. More advanced slides will often include additional features, such as splash zones or water sprays, to enhance the experience for kids.
Google Ads shows that over a 6-month period, between July and December 2023, searches for “inflatable pool slides” decreased 76%, with the most searches coming in July at 33,100.
Squirt gun
The squirt gun is one of the most popular kids water toys on the market and is available in many different sizes and styles. Consumers will be looking at features such as the overall water capacity, which can determine the amount of playtime without interruption, how friendly it is for younger kids to use, the refilling mechanism, and the shooting range it provides.
As a rule of thumb, the larger the squirt gun, the more water it can hold, but these may not be very user-friendly for kids under the age of 12, who would be more suitable for smaller sizes.
Since these squirt guns will be used in a pool setting, it’s important that they can easily float to prevent them from sinking to the bottom when not in use and that the materials used won’t be affected by the pool chemicals.
Google Ads shows that over a 6-month period, between July and December 2023, searches for “squirt gun” decreased by 45%, with the most searches coming between June and August at 18100.
Inflatable pool toys
Inflatable pool toys are a must-have in any pool setting, especially when kids are involved. These pool toys come in various shapes and sizes, providing hours of fun for kids and even adults. The most popular of these pool toys are inflatable floatation devices such as donuts or flamingos, but other toys such as inflatable beach balls, pool noodles, and inflatable board games are equally popular among consumers.
Consumers will want to ensure that the inflatable pool toys are made of a durable material such as PVC and that they are easy to inflate and deflate.
Google Ads shows that over a 6-month period, between July and December 2023, searches for “inflatable pool toys” decreased 18%, with the most searches coming in July at 14,800.
Dive toys
Dive toys are the perfect pool accessory for kids to use either by themselves or in a group. They not only provide a fun way for kids to challenge one another, but they are also a great tool for practicing various diving techniques at different depths. Dive toys are available in different shapes, such as sticks, fish, rings, and more, and some are even designed to float just below the water so that kids can dive through a specific shape, such as a ring.
These toys need to be weighted to ensure they sink below water level, but not too heavy so as to hinder their being brought back to the top. Having bright colors makes them more visible underwater too, and materials such as rubber or neoprene make them easier to grasp.
Google Ads shows that over a 6-month period, between July and December 2023, searches for “dive toys” decreased by 33%, with the most searches coming in August at 4,400.
Conclusion
The most popular types of kids water toys for the pool should provide users with hours of fun and entertainment, but they can also be educational and help kids develop their swimming skills.
Toys such as squirt guns, inflatable pool toys, dive toys, and inflatable pool slides are in high demand with consumers right now, and pool toys as a whole are expected to increase in demand in the coming years as consumers look to spend more time outdoors and keep active.
