Pool Floats for Families: What Parents Should Know

Pool floats are part of most family summers, but when babies and toddlers are involved, the most important point comes first: no pool float is a safety device. Floats can tip, slip away or turn over, and a young child can go under in seconds and without a sound.

Babies, Toddlers and Floats: The Basics

For infants and toddlers, stay within arm's reach at all times, even when they're sitting in a float. If you want flotation support for a young child, choose a product designed and tested as a child flotation or swim aid, follow the maker's age and weight limits, and use it only under direct supervision.

General guidance for households with children is available from the U.S. Pool Safely campaign.

What to Look For in a Family Pool Float

1. Stability: A wide, flat base is less likely to tip when people climb on and off.
2. Size: Check the dimensions against your pool, and against how many people will use it at once.
3. Materials: Look for fabric made for sun, chlorine and salt water, and non-toxic materials that are comfortable on skin.
4. Durability: Bead-filled floats can't puncture or slowly deflate the way inflatables can.
5. Ease of use: Consider weight when wet, drying time and storage.

OGO Floats for Family Lounging

The pieces below are lounging floats and seats for older children and adults. They are not designed as flotation aids for babies or toddlers.

Starfish Pool Float

The Starfish is a bead-filled float in three sizes, from 83 cm to 180 cm across. The larger sizes are built for shared lounging, and out of the water it works as a low seat on the terrace or indoors. Compare sizes in our Starfish size guide.

Flower Pool Float

The Flower comes in four sizes and 8 colors, with petals that form a backrest. It's filled with beads rather than air, and doubles as a floor seat or garden lounger outside swimming season.

For more shapes, see our guide to the best non-inflatable pool floats or browse the full OGO pool floats collection.

In Short

Choose floats for comfort and style, choose tested flotation aids for young children, and keep babies and toddlers within arm's reach whenever they're in or near the water.