It’s crazy hot this summer, and my backyard pool keeps calling my name. But man, those giant flamingo floats cost a fortune! I decided to hunt for cheap floats that actually last.
Diving into Dollar Store Disappointments
First stop was the dollar store – those animal rings look cute, right? Grabbed two for my kids. Big mistake. Five minutes in, Tommy leaned sideways and POP! All the air rushed out like a deflating balloon. That thing lasted shorter than an ice cube in July. Wasted trip.
Trying Thicker Inflatables
Okay, so cheap vinyl sucks. Went to Target and got a $15 neon lounger that felt thicker. Pumped it up with my old bike pump – took forever! Tested it myself first. Felt good… until day three when I saw tiny bubbles rising around the seam. Put my ear close and heard faint hssssss. Found a pinprick leak near the valve. Patched it twice with the kit, still deflates overnight. Ugh.
Foam Floats Saved My Sanity
Almost gave up till my neighbor showed me her plain blue foam rectangle. Decided to try similar ones. Went to Walmart and grabbed:
- 2 foam noodles for $1.97 each (great for armpits while kicking)
- A solid foam kickboard for $4.88 (doubles as a drink holder!)
- Four pack of foam pool tiles for $14 (kids build floating forts)
No inflation needed! Threw ’em straight in the water. The tiles stick together like Lego when wet. Kids made a floating island and splashed around for hours. No pops, no leaks, no panic when the dog jumped on ’em.
Winning Combo for Under $25
Been using this setup all month. Soaked through three heatwaves already. Best part? When done, we just toss the foam bits in a mesh bag and hang it to dry. Still looks new!
Would I buy inflatables again? Only for photos maybe – foam’s the real MVP for daily chilling without the hassle. Just saved $50 on floats, and nobody’s crying over deflated dolphins.