Great Gift Ideas for Pool Owners

No matter the occasion, a great gift is always well received. You might be scratching your head, wondering what would make a great gift for someone who owns a pool or someone who just loves swimming. But you're in luck — there are MANY options available, and we've included gift ideas for every age and spending budget. So let's dive right in, shall we?

Here are some of this year's most popular pool gift ideas:

Gift Ideas under $30

Swimming Goggles

For the avid swimmer in your life, you can't go wrong with a brand-new pair of swimming goggles. From fun to functional, Leslie's carries a wide array of quality goggles for any purpose. Needing fun, colorful eye protection for young swimmers? The Bling2o Unicorn Rainbow Goggles or the Bling2o Shark Theme Goggles are sure to be a hit.

Looking for gifts for a competitive swimmer? A fresh pair of Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Goggles will help them up their game. With dozens of colors, styles, and sizes to choose from, you can't go wrong with a pair of swimming goggles from Leslie's.

Dive Toys

Looking for a small or inexpensive gift that's easy to wrap? Grab some dive toys! Whether for a seasoned swimmer or someone who just loves some aquatic fun, these budget-friendly gifts will add an extra element of excitement to anyone's pool experience. These toys not only promote water confidence, but also provide hours of entertainment for friends and family. In fact, diving toys can be used as a solo challenge or facilitate a competitive group activity.  Individual sets start under $10, or you can snap up a complete assortment of seven different sets for $20. There's also the popular Shark's Cove Sunken Treasure dive game to really test your diving skills, or the brightly colored SwimWays Toypedo Bandits Dive Toy Set. No matter which style you choose, these low-cost pool toys are something the whole family can enjoy.

Inflatable Drink Floats

When you're floating in the pool on a hot summer day, nothing cools you off faster than an ice-cold, refreshing beverage. But let's face it — NOBODY wants to leave the pool to go and get one. Why not keep your drink with you in an inflatable drink float?

Many Pool Candy inflatable pool float animals come with their own matching floating drink holders. However, you can also buy these drink holders separately, such as with the 2-pack flamingo drink floats. This gift is one that can be shared! Not only are these fun drink floaties a great way to keep hydrated while in the pool, but having a unique drink holder is a perfect way to claim which one is yours during your next big pool party.

Toy Shock International Remote Control Boat

Economical and fun, Toy Shock’s Wave Racer Remote Control Mini Boat is perfect for both children and adults who wish to turn their pool sessions into a mini maritime spectacle. Available in two colors — yellow or blue — this pint-sized powerhouse toy zips around the water with precision and speed. With its easy-to-use remote control, this mini boat promises hours of laughter, friendly competitions, and perhaps a few good-natured races.

Dive into the holiday spirit with the gift of nautical fun — because who says pool time can’t be an epic voyage?

Arm Floaties

For the little mermaid or merman in your life, safety is always a priority. But who says swim safety can't be fun? Check out SwimWays’ Soft Swimmies Arm Floats. Boasting a fin-tastic fashion statement, this is great for kids who love to dive into the world of underwater adventures. In addition, the soft and comfortable material ensures a snug fit while providing the support needed for young swimmers to gain confidence in the water.

With their playful nautical design for both girls and boys, these arm floats add a touch of enchantment to any swim session.

For all the most sought-after gifts, check out the official Leslie's Gift Guide.

Fun Poolside Gifts

Cool Pool Floats

You can never go wrong with the gift of an awesome pool float. With so many options online and in store, it's easy to find something for everyone on your list. Plus, the selection changes each year, so it's really easy to find a cool new float that your gift recipient doesn't have yet. From classic inflatables to vibrant sparkling animals, we carry just a little bit of everything for floaters young and old. Cartoon characters, sports team memorabilia, giant pizza slices, LED lights, holographic finishes — you name it, we've got it.

Motorized Pool Floats

Speaking of cool floats, have you seen the latest in pool comfort?! Motorized pool floats and loungers are the best way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the water, and they make amazing gifts. Don't just float, DRIVE around the pool. Soak up the sun, move over to the shade, or get a 360º view of your surroundings at the touch of a button. The powerful dual 66-watt motors included with the Pool Candy Splash Runner are ideal for pool use. You can even take it with you for a fun day at the lake. Its high backrest, lower back support, broad armrests with cup holders, and extended leg area ensure maximum comfort for passengers up to 300 pounds. OR enjoy that same battery-powered fun with the Pool Candy Unicorn Motorized Float. If unicorns aren't your thing, we have the motorized T-Rex and Flamingo versions, too!

Fitness Accessories

Elevate the traditional pool experience by introducing exciting and engaging games that combine fun with exercise. Consider gifting an Aquatic Fitness Kit, featuring aquatic resistance dumbbells and a flotation belt, perfect for a low-impact yet effective water workout. Alternatively, why not encourage friendly competition and physical activity with a set of 18” Kick-Boards. These fitness-focused pool accessories not only provide a refreshing way to stay active, but also promote a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

Inflatable Hot Tub

Want to enjoy the benefits of a spa or hot tub, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars to get one? We have an idea — just get an inflatable hot tub! This is one gift everyone can use year-round to enjoy the water inside, outside, or wherever you choose to set it up. The gift of relaxation is one that keeps on giving! Inflatable hot tubs, like the one pictured, can seat up to four adults comfortably, making them perfect for entertaining friends and family. Don't forget to enhance each warm and bubbly soaking session with your favorite bottle of spa aromatherapy. Pssst...aromatherapy bottles are great to use as a teaser gift before presenting them with their new hot tub!

Fun & Games

Whether in the pool or out, no backyard gathering is complete without a fun game or two. From traditional water games to tailgating favorites, Leslie’s has dozens of fun recreational items and innovative games to choose from. Maybe you’re looking to slam some hoops with a pool basketball set. Or perhaps you’ve been eyeing a volleyball set for a competitive match with friends and family. Take a look at all the cool things we have to offer in our Toys and Games category. You can also stop by your local Leslie’s to see for yourself.

Backyard & Patio Accessories

Here’s an idea that’s just as much fun as it is practical. Help your gift recipient make the most of their backyard space. Besides, no one wants to stay cooped up in the house! Whether in the heat of summer or the cold of winter, you can make the outdoors more inviting with the gift of a few backyard accessories.

To keep the patio area nice and toasty during that early evening chill, invest in a fire pit or patio heater. There are many stylish options to choose from, and many have a modern aesthetic that fits right in with any backyard theme. Don’t have anywhere to sit around a fire pit? Take care of that with some cozy seating, like the Everest Adirondack Chair. Patio looking a little cluttered? Upgrade your space with some simple storage options, such as the Keter Sumatra Deck Box. No matter what your outdoor entertainment area needs, you’re sure to find it in our Backyard and Patio category.

Pool Care Essentials

Mineral Systems

Help reduce chlorine use in the pool, decrease maintenance time, and leave the water feeling softer with the gift of natural pool mineral systems. Installation of a Jacuzzi JMCS or Nature2 Express mineral cartridge is fast and easy, and each cartridge will last for up to 6 months of active use (or the length of a pool season). When the cartridge is all used up, it only takes seconds to replace it. Used correctly, mineral systems can cut chlorine use by up to 50%. You'll have water that's gentler on skin, eyes, hair, and swimming suits. In addition, you won't have to worry about unpleasant chloramine odors coming from the pool. Mineral systems are the most popular alternative sanitizer, because they're easy to maintain. They also have a much lower upfront cost and ongoing maintenance expense than a saltwater chlorine generator or an ozone system.

Variable Speed Pool Pumps

Here's a useful pool item you might even consider gifting yourself — a variable speed pool pump. Variable speed or "VS" pumps offer numerous benefits to pool owners. From the improved filtration efficiency, quiet operation, simple programming, and, most importantly, the massive energy savings, you can't go wrong with upgrading your pool system to one powered by a variable speed pump.

Although the upfront cost of a variable speed pump can be somewhat high, the energy savings alone can usually pay for the pump within a pool season or two. To see exactly how much money you could save by replacing your single speed pump with a variable speed model, check out our energy savings calculator.

Solar Solutions

You may have heard about solar pool covers or solar rings before. But do you know how much good they can do for a pool? Solar rings and covers work to reduce evaporation, which conserves both water and heat energy, and also helps cut down on chemical losses. They're especially popular in the early and late weeks of swimming season because they help to transfer some of the sun's heat energy into the water. Because of this, solar products are great for extending swimming season by a few weeks in the spring and fall.

Solar rings and covers also help increase heat retention and boost pool heater efficiency to save on energy costs. These are one of very few pool accessories that will pay for themselves over the course of a swimming season. When given as a present to a pool owner, it's almost the same as putting cash in their pocket.

Automatic Pool Cleaner

Give the gift of time with an automatic pool cleaner. Pool cleaners are something pool owners don't know they're missing out on until they've used one for a season. Automatic pool cleaners take most of the work out of routine pool cleaning, leaving more time to enjoy the pool instead of maintaining it. Not sure which pool cleaner to gift? That's OK! We put together a handy Pool Cleaner Buyer's Guide to help you dig through all the features of some of the most popular cleaners on the market today. Your nearest Leslie's can also help answer questions you might have about specific types and models of cleaners. Our top picks this year? The Jacuzzi JCRX and Polaris VRXIQ+ — both are robotic cleaners compatible with almost every pool type.

Pool Chemicals

What's the one thing no pool owner can go without? You guessed it — pool maintenance chemicals. At the end of each pool season, old or unused pool chemicals are often disposed of, so fresh chemicals can be purchased for the upcoming season. And while in the midst of pool season, chemicals are routinely used and have to be replenished.

If the pool people on your shopping list haven't already bought their new chemicals for the year, or if they have to make regular trips to the pool store, help them out with an assortment of essential water balancers or some water testing supplies from Leslie's. A bucket of chlorine tablets or a box/bucket of pool shock will be important for maintaining a clean, safe, and beautiful pool. To help with weekly maintenance, a bottle of Perfect Weekly provides three benefits in one convenient application — enzymes, phosphate remover, and a liquid solar cover to conserve water and heat energy.

The Ultimate Gift: A New Pool!

If your family's above ground pool is looking a little old and dilapidated, you might be thinking about upgrading to a newer model. Or maybe you're looking to become first-time pool owners, and you can't wait to surprise the family with a swimming pool of your very own. Whatever the case may be, if you're buying the ultimate gift this year — a new swimming pool — it's probably not going to be something you can easily wrap in gift paper. Not to worry! Whether you're investing in a hard-sided or a soft-sided above ground pool, or if you're going all-out on a new inground pool, there are a number of fun ways you can gift the pool and make it a memorable moment.

Planning the Big Reveal

One option is to wrap up a few small items. In those packages, include fun pool-related items like goggles, flip flops, swimsuits, beach balls, printed towels, pool floats, pool toys, sunscreen, pool signs, or even a framed photo of the swimming pool you're getting. What might start out as confusion will quickly turn into excitement as the gift-getter eventually puts the pieces together.

Want to draw out the anticipation a little more? Set up a scavenger hunt! The first gift is a clue, which leads them to the next location with another clue. Include clever riddles, pool accessories, or whatever else you think might add to the excitement without giving away the surprise. The more challenging the clues, the better!

If you've been able to hide the pool installation, you can eventually lead the person outside for the big reveal. Or, if the pool isn't set up yet, the final gift might be an envelope with a photo of the pool you purchased. You could also lead them to a pool-sized outline in the yard with a gift wrapped pool accessory and final clue inside. You might even invite them to "break ground" on the new pool site. No matter how you break the news, seeing the pure joy that follows is sure to make you grin from ear to ear.

Looking for even more great pool gift ideas? Shop the official Leslie's Gift Guide to find the perfect items for everyone on your shopping list.