Take the cornhole game from the tailgate to the lake with this floating cornhole version. There are grommets on all four corners for tethering on land and the set comes with four green and four blue “blobs” and two targets. “My 4-year-old grandson had a ball playing this (he was good at it too) as well as the adults. It’s sturdy and the ‘bean bags’ float so they are easy to retrieve if you miss the target,” said one buyer.
What to Look for When Buying Lake Toys
When shopping for lake toys, durability and the quality of materials are among the most important factors to consider. Lake toys are used entirely outdoors, meaning they will be exposed to a lot of sunlight and will also see plenty of wear and tear from use during playtime. Though inflatable toys are the most common, they are almost always made from vinyl, which is not as durable as foam, plastic or other types of materials.
Inflatable lake toys also pose a greater safety risk than other types of toys because swimmers can get trapped beneath them, and large inflatables can obscure the view of adults supervising children or lifeguards on duty. Parents should never allow children to use lake toys—especially inflatable toys—unsupervised.
If you’re considering purchasing a float, inflatable or foam, be mindful of its size and weight capacity. Exceeding the weight limit can damage your float and pose a safety risk for weak swimmers. Consider whether an adult or a child will be using the toy in the lake, and shop accordingly from both a size and age-appropriateness perspective. Small children require completely different lake toys than adults.
Why You Should Trust Us
Rachel Brougham, the author of this piece, is a seasoned writer who has spent years working in newsrooms, writing for television and newspapers, and most recently published Widowland: A Collection of Essays on Grief. She’s been a contributor to Family Handyman since 2017, when she researched and reviewed a wide range of home and outdoor products.
How We Found the Best Lake Toys
Water toys add even more fun to a day spent at the lake with family and friends, and we found the best lake toys are often the ones that can be enjoyed by multiple people simultaneously. We carefully considered a broad assortment of lake toys in search of those that are engaging, interactive, durable and safe. While inflatable toys are among the most popular, they also pose the greatest safety risk, so we sought out those with the most minimal risk level.
After prioritizing safety, we paid close attention to materials, age appropriateness and additional features, like cupholders. We read through customer reviews and factored in other important criteria, including price, storage and weight capacity.
FAQ
Can you use pool toys in a lake?
Whether or not you can use pool toys in a lake depends on the rules that apply to each individual lake. Some larger lakes may not permit the use of pool toys, usually due to safety reasons, while other smaller lakes may allow all or some types of pool toys. Check with local municipalities if pool toys are permissible in a particular lake. If you plan to use the same toys in a lake that you use in the pool be sure to clean them thoroughly before reintroducing them to your pool after a day of fun at the lake.
How do you keep lake toys and pool toys clean?
Toys used in a lake may have algae or other bacteria present them when you bring them home after using them, so it’s important to clean them thoroughly to prevent illness. If you have a chlorinated swimming pool and keep chlorine on hand, using a solution of chlorine and water to spray down your lake toys can kill any mold or bacteria. Alternatively, you can make a bleach and water solution using 3/4 cups of bleach for every gallon of water to disinfect your lake toys. When toys are not in use they should be stored in a cool, dry environment.
What is the best way to store lake toys?
Properly storing and caring for your lake toys– or any water toys, for that matter—is the key to prolonging their lifespan. Remove lake, pool or other water toys from water when they are not in use and allow them to dry completely in a cool, dry environment. It’s important to keep water toys out of the sun when they are not in use, as prolonged exposure to sunlight causes the materials to degrade. Once your toys are dry, deflate any inflatable floats or toys before storing them in a cool, dry place.