Organized Play

Organized Play Pool toys don’t need to wreck the backyard aesthetic By Shelley Sakala

If you give a kid a pool, he’ll want pool toys. And if he gets pool toys, you’ll need a place to store them.

It doesn’t feel like summer until you break out the raft s, noodles, beach balls, goggles and dive sticks. Pool toys are great. dive sticks. Pool toys are great. It’s the storage that’s a problem. It’s the storage that’s a problem. It seems like the default storage It seems like the default storage Stay Organized method is to pile everything up on the pool deck until the next swim session. Aside from wrecking your backyard aesthetic, a stack of wet raft s and infl atable method is to pile everything up on the pool deck until the next swim session. Aside from wrecking your backyard aesthetic, a stack of wet raft s and infl atable PVC pipe and joint fi ttings from any home improvement store lets you create a relatively cheap and easy framework for organizing rafts and pool noodles. pizza slices makes a perfect hidpizza slices makes a perfect hidframe and an interior shelf for stacking and organizing. ing spot for critters and creatures seeking nylon mesh sides and fl oor, almost resembling Made of double-wall resin to keep contents safe shade and moisture in the Arizona heat. a giant playpen. It doesn’t hide your pool toys, from the sun, wind and rain. $265 at Lowe’s.

But with a little investment in pool storage, you can easily corral every last beach ball, but it keeps them all in one place. And the mesh panels allow toys to air dry and resist mildew. The locker fl oatie and kickboard. Th e key is fi nding a Budget priced at $75 on Amazon. One of the more elegant storage solutions storage solution that checks all your boxes, including your preferences for capacity, orgaThe caddy you’ll fi nd is the Goplus Outdoor Storage Shed. Over 5 feet tall, with adjustable shelves. nization, weather protection, and proximity Big, fl oppy raft s and oversized pool noodles It’s a large and functional wood furniture piece to your pool. Th ere’s no right answer—only tuck nicely in a poolside fl oat caddy. While resembling something used to store the pool the right answer for your situation. A small these don’t off er much protection from sun towels at a swanky resort. $280 on Amazon. household with just a couple of raft s has difand wind, they do keep your toys nicely orgaIf you’re not ready drop more than $70 on ferent needs than the family of six with every nized and easy to reach. Th e Crossley Palm a toy bin, there are plenty of DIY ideas on pool toy ever made. So, with this in mind, here Harbor Wicker Float Caddy is available at Pinterest that even a minimally handy person are fi ve diff erent storage solutions for pool toys. Home Depot for $198. It features a steel frame could master. You get the same storage result Treasure chest

Th e life expectancy of pool toys left outand UV-resistant wicker construction.

The deck box

BARRE // YOGA Phoenix, AZ 85085 The big basket & SAUNAS 480.530.0335

at a fraction of the cost. And you can invest the money you save in more pool toys! side is rarely more than one season. If the sun Th e Suncast 195 Gallon Java Deck Box has Shelley Sakala is a local Realtor with Th e Sakadoesn’t bake them, the next monsoon will tons of storage space, plus three-door access and la Group, and an 85085 resident. carry them away to the neighbor’s house. A large, hinged outdoor chest secures everything in one place while off ering protection PRE-SALE HAPPENING NOW from the elements. Prices range up to $600 or more, depending on size and materials. Tough, UV-protected versions are made of durable, weatherproof resin (similar to the material used to make Igloo ice chests). Higher-end version are built from wicker, cedar 2460 W. Happy Valley Rd Suite 1159 or acacia. Th e Novel 90-Gallon Resin Desk Box is available on wayfair.com for about $70. INTERVAL TRAINING