Pool toys are fun and games for everyone

Add an extra element of fun to your swimming or paddling pool with toys and games. And they're not just for the kids - pool games and toys provide a great way to bring the family together in the pool.

A dip in the pool is the perfect way to cool off in summer. But if you want to introduce a bit of family fun into the equation, why not add some pool toys and games? Ball games, water-pistol wars and flotation devices all add an element of fun to the pool experience and there is something to suit all ages.

Which type of pool toys are best?

When it comes to pool toys, inflatables are the cheap and easy option. Just about anything you can blow up and fit in the pool will be fun for the kids. Joel Stern from Stern's Playland in Lurnea, New South Wales, imports a large range of inflatable toys and pool games to suit everyone from just-starting-out toddlers to hard-to-please teenagers and young-at-heart adults.

What about pool toys for babies and very young children?

Even babies can get involved in family pool fun. "We've got baby seats for babies around six months old. They can sit in this seat that floats them above the water and comes with a sun shade, so that's really popular with the mums," says Joel. "It's not a life-saving device - you never put them in the pool and ignore the children - but it makes it a bit easier for babies to have fun in the pool. They can see everyone and hopefully not get too stressed about being in the water."

Young children enjoy pool games with toys like blow-up animals such as crocodiles and dolphins. These types of toys are great for games in the pool and usually come with a rope, so those not so confident in the water can be led around by an adult. One toy that boys will love is the Bump 'N' Squirt - a floating tube with a built-in water pistol. The kids can chase each other around in an environment where getting wet won't matter. Of course you'll need to buy at least two of these for harmonious water warfare!

Any ideas for games in the pool?

You can introduce underwater challenges for swimmers of all ages by setting up a slalom game - this underwater adventure course can be created simply with brightly coloured hoops. Dive rings, sticks and discs also help encourage underwater games and can aid water skills and confidence.

For something the whole family can enjoy, have a look at ball sport options. As far as pool games go, you shouldn't need to shell out a lot of money - you can have a good time throwing a plain old beach ball around. But the simpler inflatable structures are pretty affordable and can bring an exciting new dimension to your recreation time.

"The costs vary; the floating volleyball game is probably going to cost somewhere around the $30-40 mark, whereas your poolside basketball games are up near the $150 mark," explains Joel. "They're more like a permanent structure, so cost a little bit more."

Find all the pool toys you'll need in a store near you: