The Bay Harbor RX Summer Kit: Pool Day Essentials for Kids and Families

Summer in Miami doesn't wait for a calendar date. By April, the pool is open. By May, the weekends revolve around water. And by June, you're packing a bag for the beach, the pool, or a friend's backyard at least three times a week.

If you have kids, you know the drill: sunscreen that takes five minutes of negotiation to apply, hair that turns into a tangled nest by 2pm, forgotten goggles, missing towels, and a vague sense that you're always forgetting something important.

We've been a neighborhood family destination since 1970. Parents have been walking into Bay Harbor RX for pool day supplies, last-minute birthday gifts, and "I need something for the kids right now" runs for over fifty years. So we put together the definitive summer kit: everything your family needs for a pool or beach day, curated by a team that actually lives in this climate and knows what holds up.

The Fun Stuff (Because That's Why You're Going)

Let's start with what the kids actually care about.

Sunny Life Shark Attack Soaker is the kind of pool toy that turns a quiet afternoon into a full-scale water battle. At $14, it's the best value-to-entertainment ratio in the store. Buy two. You'll need a spare.

For the Instagram-worthy float moment — every Miami pool day has one — the 3C4G Candy Swirl Pool Float is oversized, colorful, and sturdy enough for kids to climb on, fall off, and climb on again. At $45, it survives a summer. The 3C4G Huge Shell Pool Float with Confetti is the one for the kid who wants to feel like a mermaid — confetti sealed inside the float catches the light and keeps little ones fascinated between cannonballs.

For downtime between swims, Shashibo puzzle cubes are magnetic shape-shifting puzzles that hold kids' attention without a screen. Clever, surprisingly addictive, and small enough to throw in a pool bag. $25 each, available in Confetti, Solar, and Jungle patterns.

The Tiger Tribe 3D Coloring Set is another screen-free winner for the shade break. At $15.99, it folds flat into a bag and unfolds into a full afternoon of creative quiet.

The Protection Essentials (What Parents Actually Need)

This is where the pharmacy side of Bay Harbor RX earns its keep.

SPF for the whole family. ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50+ is our top recommendation for parents. It's ultralight — no greasy residue, no white cast — broad-spectrum, and includes DNA repair enzymes that help reverse existing sun damage while protecting against new exposure. At $68, it's the SPF you'll actually reapply because it feels like nothing on the skin.

For kids, we recommend mineral-based SPF formulations with zinc oxide, which sit on the skin's surface and provide immediate protection without absorption. Ask our pharmacy team for age-appropriate recommendations, especially for children under two or those with sensitive skin. We'll match the formulation to your child's skin type and any sensitivities they may have.

The Hair Rescue Kit

Pool hair is a universal childhood experience. Chlorine strips natural oils, tangles multiply by the hour, and the post-pool meltdown over brushing is real.

Original Sprout Classic Shampoo is formulated specifically for children. Gentle, tear-free, and effective at removing chlorine and salt without stripping young hair. No sulfates, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance. At $49.99 for 4oz — it's concentrated, so a little goes a long way — it's the kind of product that makes the bath after a pool day painless instead of dramatic.

For the post-wash detangle (the moment every parent dreads), Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner turns a ten-minute screaming match into a two-minute breeze. Spray it in wet hair, comb through once, done. At $24.99 for 12oz, this bottle will last the entire summer.

And for the kid who thinks conditioner is boring, Glop & Glam Cake Butter Hydrating Conditioner smells like birthday cake and makes hair butter-soft. At $16.99, it turns an obligation into something they actually look forward to. Parenting win.

The Gift-Ready Picks (For Birthdays, Playdates, and Just Because)

Every Miami parent knows the cycle: your kid gets invited to a birthday party on Saturday, and you need a gift by Friday. Bay Harbor RX has been the go-to for last-minute, thoughtful gifts since the store first opened its doors.

Jellycat plush animals are the gold standard of stuffed toys. Impossibly soft, beautifully designed, and the kind of gift that becomes a child's constant companion. The Jellycat Pineapple Top ($49.99) is a Miami-perfect pick. The Jellycat Cotton Candy Pompom ($29.99) is a crowd-pleaser for younger kids. We carry dozens of styles, and our team can help you pick the perfect one in under two minutes.

For the baby gift that always impresses, our Noodle & Boo collection offers gentle, pediatrician-tested baby skincare that new parents appreciate far more than another onesie. Pair it with a Jellycat bunny and you have a gift that looks like you spent an hour shopping when you spent five minutes.

Summer Skin Protection for the Littlest Ones

Babies and toddlers need extra attention in Miami's sun. Their skin is thinner, more sensitive, and less able to regulate temperature than adult skin. A few pharmacist reminders for the youngest members of the family.

Keep babies under six months in the shade entirely. A wide-brimmed hat, lightweight long sleeves, and a stroller canopy do more than any sunscreen at this age. For older babies and toddlers, mineral SPF with zinc oxide is the safest option because it sits on the skin's surface rather than absorbing into it.

Our Noodle & Boo collection is specifically formulated for infant and baby skin. Gentle cleansers, fragrance-free moisturizers, and soothing lotions that respect the developing skin barrier. If your baby has eczema, sensitive skin, or any reactive tendencies, our pharmacy team can recommend specific products based on their skin history and any medications or creams they're already using.

After a day outside, a lukewarm bath — not hot — with a gentle cleanser, followed by a fragrance-free moisturizer while the skin is still damp, is the simplest and most effective recovery ritual for little ones.

The Pool Bag Checklist

Here's what our team packs for a Miami pool day — we do this every weekend, too.

Sun protection: ISDIN SPF 50+ for parents, mineral SPF for kids, Avène mist for cooling. Reapply every 90 minutes. This is not optional in Miami.

Hair care: Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner (throw it in the bag, spray on wet hair poolside before tangles set in). Wide-tooth comb.

Entertainment: Sunny Life Shark Soaker, one Shashibo cube per kid, Tiger Tribe coloring set for shade time.

Recovery: Fresh water rinse before getting in the car. Original Sprout shampoo at home. Glop & Glam conditioner to finish.

Snacks, water, towels. We don't sell these, but we'll remind you anyway.

Why One Stop Matters

This is the Bay Harbor RX difference for families. You walked in for sunscreen. You leave with the SPF your pharmacist recommended for your child's skin type, the leave-in conditioner that prevents the post-pool meltdown, a pool float for Saturday's party, and a Jellycat giraffe for your niece's birthday next week.

One store. One team that's been helping Miami families for over fifty years. No algorithmic recommendations. Just people who know what works in this climate, for this community, at every age. Read more about how we approach Miami skincare for adults too.