Hobbies And Interests
Noodles
Common pool noodles are made of foam, but some are inflatable. The foam pool noodles are long, cylindrical and horseshoe shaped, and can be hollow. Ranging in price from $1 to $3 each (as of early 2011), noodles are often used for swimming through an obstacle course, "sword fighting," floating and squirt-gun fighting. A pool noodle can also help kids learn how to swim, as it is a flotation device that gives kids a lot of mobility.
Kickboards
Kickboards are useful for practicing kick strokes. This can be useful for children learning how to swim. Combining leg and arm movement is one of the most difficult aspects of learning how to swim for children. Holding onto a kickboard allows children to master their kicking and gain confidence first. For kids who know how to swim, kickboards make good pool floats for racing each other by just kicking. It can also help kids learn new strokes. Holding the board to their chest can help them while they master the kicking motion of the backstroke.
Floating Habitats
Floating habitats are pool floats kids can go inside or on top of. There are floating habitats that look like space crafts, igloos, castles, camping tents and boat houses, for example. These can entertain kids for hours. You want inflatable pool floats to consist of vinyl to be safe for hours under the sun. Larger pool floats such as these are safer in larger pools so that children will not be at risk of hitting the edge of the pool when they slide or slip off the float.
Rockers
There are inflatable pool floats that rock back and forth and imitate anything from pirate ships to sea horses and sea saws. Some have space for one child to sit on, others can seat one or multiple children on either end. Larger float rockers seating multiple children are safer in larger pools.