Summer with a toddler is one of the most joyful seasons of parenthood. The sunscreen chaos, the sand in every possible location, the absolute certainty that your child will walk directly into the water the moment your back is turned — all of it.
As PNW parents, summer means lake days, beach trips, backyard sprinklers, and long evenings outside. And after curating what we carry at Little Stars around the products we actually use ourselves, we wanted to share our honest favourites — the summer gear that genuinely made this season better for our family.
Starting with the product that changed everything about being near water with a toddler.
The ava + oliver Swim Float — The One That Made Us Settle
We'll be honest with you — before we found the ava + oliver Swim Float, beach and pool days with our toddler involved a level of vigilance that made relaxing nearly impossible. One adult fully dedicated to water supervision, eyes never leaving the child, no sitting down.
The ava + oliver Swim Float changed that completely.
This isn't just a swim aid — it's a confidence shift for both child and parent. Our toddler took to it immediately, moving freely and independently in the water with genuine joy. And as parents, we felt something we hadn't expected: settled. Actually able to be present and enjoy the moment rather than just manage the risk.
That feeling is what we want every parent to experience at the pool or beach this summer. And it's exactly why the ava + oliver Swim Float is the product we recommend first to every parent in our community.
What we love about it:
- Designed specifically for toddlers and young children
- Gives children genuine freedom of movement in the water
- Beautifully designed — not an eyesore like some swim aids
- Available in the gorgeous Honeydew colourway that photographs beautifully
- Builds water confidence progressively and naturally
⚠️ Important note: The ava + oliver Swim Float is a swimming aid, not a life jacket. Always supervise children near water regardless of any swimming aid. Never leave children unattended.
Shop ava + oliver Swim Float →
The Rest of Our Summer Collection — Everything We Love
The swim float gets the headline — but our full Summer Collection has everything you need for a great season with babies, toddlers, and young children.
🏖️ ava + oliver Pink Sand Beach Set — Beach Play Done Right
Sand play is one of the most developmentally rich outdoor activities available to young children — and having the right tools makes all the difference between a frustrating experience and a genuinely absorbing one.
The ava + oliver Pink Sand Beach Set is exactly what we look for — beautifully designed, durable enough to last through multiple summers, and sized perfectly for toddler hands. Scooping, pouring, building, and filling are all rich sensory-motor activities that develop fine motor skills and creative thinking simultaneously.
Perfect for lake beaches, ocean trips, and backyard sandboxes alike.
Shop ava + oliver Pink Sand Beach Set →
😎 Ali+Oli Kids Sunglasses — UV Protection They'll Actually Wear
Getting a toddler to keep sunglasses on is one of parenting's great challenges. Ali+Oli's kids sunglasses solve this by being genuinely appealing to children — fun shapes, great colours, and a comfortable fit that doesn't feel like wearing something serious.
We carry several styles including the Round (Mint), Round (Plaid), Flower (Pink), and Daisy Pink — each with proper UV protection and the kind of design that makes toddlers want to put them on rather than immediately pull them off.
Good sun protection for little eyes matters — and it's much easier when the sunglasses are this cute.
👙 RuffleButts + RuggedButts — Swimwear That's as Practical as It Is Adorable
Toddler swimwear needs to work hard — it needs to stay on, protect from the sun, and survive a season of serious outdoor use. RuffleButts and RuggedButts deliver on all three while looking absolutely beautiful in the process.
We carry the Periwinkle Blue Gingham Long Sleeve One-Piece Rash Guard — a long-sleeve rash guard that provides excellent sun protection while the signature rear ruffles make it genuinely charming. Long-sleeve rash guards are our preferred swimwear for toddlers because they provide built-in UV protection without requiring constant reapplication of sunscreen to arms and torso.
Shop RuffleButts + RuggedButts →
Our Summer Essentials Checklist for Toddlers
Here's how we'd build a complete summer kit for a toddler from our collection:
| Essential | Our Pick |
|---|---|
| Water confidence | ava + oliver Swim Float |
| Beach play | ava + oliver Pink Sand Beach Set |
| Eye protection | Ali+Oli Kids Sunglasses |
| Sun protection swimwear | RuffleButts Long Sleeve Rash Guard |
Shop the full Summer Collection →
A Note on Summer Safety Near Water
We'd be remiss not to mention this — water safety with toddlers is serious, and no swim aid replaces active adult supervision.
The ava + oliver Swim Float builds water confidence and gives toddlers freedom of movement in the water — and it genuinely changed how settled we felt during pool and beach days. But we always have an adult within arm's reach when our toddler is in the water, regardless of the float.
The goal isn't to reduce supervision — it's to make supervised water play more joyful, more confident, and more fun for everyone involved.
Summer in the PNW — Worth Every Drop of Sunscreen
PNW summers are something special. From the lakes of the Eastside to the beaches of the San Juan Islands and the rocky shores around Bellingham — summer here is short, golden, and absolutely worth showing up for fully prepared.
We've curated our Summer Collection specifically for families who want to make the most of every warm day — with products that are beautiful, functional, and genuinely tested by PNW parents.
Explore our full Summer Collection →
Free local delivery to Greater Seattle and the Eastside on orders over $75. Free US shipping on orders over $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best swim float for toddlers?
We use and recommend the ava + oliver Swim Float — a stylish, well-designed swimming aid that gives toddlers genuine freedom of movement in the water while building confidence progressively. It's available in the Honeydew colourway at Little Stars and ships nationwide. Always supervise children near water regardless of swimming aids.
What age is the ava + oliver Swim Float for?
The ava + oliver Swim Float is designed for toddlers and young children — check the sizing guide on the product page for the recommended weight and height range for the best fit.
What beach toys are best for toddlers?
Sand play sets that include scooping, pouring, and building tools are the best beach toys for toddlers — they engage fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and creative play simultaneously. The ava + oliver Pink Sand Beach Set is our top recommendation for toddlers.
Do toddlers need UV swimwear?
Yes — toddlers' skin is significantly more sensitive to UV damage than adult skin, and long-sleeve rash guards provide built-in sun protection for arms and torso without requiring constant sunscreen reapplication during water play. The RuffleButts long-sleeve one-piece rash guard is our top pick for sun-protective toddler swimwear.
Where can I buy toddler swim floats and summer gear online?
Little Stars Toy Store carries a curated selection of summer essentials for toddlers and young children — including the ava + oliver Swim Float, Pink Sand Beach Set, Ali+Oli sunglasses, and RuffleButts swimwear. Free local delivery to Greater Seattle and the Eastside on orders over $75. Free US shipping on orders over $200.