As a mom of eight, I've learned that a successful pool day starts long before we leave the house. Nothing ruins a relaxing afternoon faster than realizing you forgot sunscreen, snacks, or a dry place to put wet swimsuits afterward. After plenty of trial and error, I've narrowed down exactly what stays in my pool bag all summer long. These are the items that help me stay organized, hydrated, prepared, and (mostly) stress-free while spending long days at the pool with kids. 1.