14 Mermaid Must-Haves— Because Kids Love Mermaids As Much As Unicorns & Princesses

True or false— you could do karaoke right now and recite all the lyrics to every song from The Little Mermaid. If your answer is true, then chances are that you love mermaids just as much as we do. And if that’s true, then so do your kids. It’s like princesses and unicorns— they can never get enough.

What is it about mermaids that have us all obsessed with mythical creatures? Could it be their ethereal beauty, their ability to freely swim all around the world, or their sweet, melodic voices (yes, if you’re Ursula). When summer turns up the heat, our inner mermaids start to leap out in search of the nearest beach (or water) to dip our fins. Who wouldn’t want to spend their days under the sea?

To be honest, it’s still hard to grasp why Ariel wanted to be human so badly. Then, we glance at Prince Eric and things become more clear. After watching The Little Mermaid for the umpteenth time, we weren’t proud to be humans. We’d wrap a blanket around our legs and pretend to be mermaids, and generations later, our kids are doing the same (in fleece mermaid blankets no less).

Thanks to Disney+, we can revisit our favorite mermaids in their classic animated form. When those films run their course and your aquatic youngster starts to believe they are actually mermaids, they’ll be asking for toys, books, and costumes to fuel their imagination. The more life-like, sparkly or rainbow colored the better.

So, take a deep dive into this list of the best mermaid must-haves that’ll make any sea-loving kid happy. And PS-Mermaids Are Real! (see below).

Where do mermaids like to hang out? On the beach, of course! With this cute hooded beach towel, your kiddo will fit right in. Also great to use after a bath or as an adorable cover-up, this multi-purpose towel, which measures 50 inches by 30 inches, couldn’t be easier to bring with you on vacation. It’s not just a cute purchase — it’s also a smart purchase. This towel has a UPF 50+ rating, meaning it’s a great way to help your kids stay safe in the sun.

One Reviewer Wrote: “Hands down this is my favorite towel for my kids. I bought three and use them for after baths and at the beach too. They're cozy, soft, don't shed, and the hood makes it so easy to wrap them up to get them dry and cozy! My kids are five, three, and one, and I love it for all of them and believe we'll be using these for a very long time.” — Amazon Customer

Who doesn’t love slime? Okay, parents might not love slime. But they love their kids, and their kids love slime — and if there’s a slime set to get, it’s definitely this one. It comes with 10 pre-made slimes for immediate play and 10 mixes that you can create later on. It makes for a great family activity or something for multiple kids to enjoy at once. They’re a great way to test your kid’s creativity.

One Reviewer Wrote: “Perfect for a birthday party activity. Only 1 of the 10 slimes was a little runny, but once we added mix-ins it was fine. Easy to clean up. Lots of different mix-ins. Even comes with extra containers and lids to put the slimes into once you mix them! The girls loved the charms too! Loved that the slime was pre-made so I didn't have to do that step.” — Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Thousands of parents and mermaid enthusiasts love this gift box so much that they gave it an almost-perfect score on Amazon — a 4.8 out of five stars. Each box includes six gifts, including the gorgeous and reusable box itself. With stickers, coloring markers, and jewelry inside, your child will be entertained for at least a long afternoon. The surprise element itself is part of the fun. If your child loves unboxing videos, this will surely be a hit.

One Reviewer Wrote: “Had to get a quick birthday gift for a student in my daughters kindergarten class. It come in a pretty magnetic cardboard treasure box and all the goodies inside. It was a perfect gift and now my daughter has asked for one for her birthday too!” — Stephanie

Jessica Simpson’s daughter helped make the mermaid tail popular when her mom shared a picture on Instagram, especially when parents realized that their kids, too, could be Ariel for a day. This is a cute version of the swim set that’ll let your kiddo reenact the scenes at home. Just make sure your little mermaid is a strong swimmer — when legs get swapped for tails, it means that parental supervision is an absolute must. Outside of the pool, this set is also great for a fun photoshoot.

One Reviewer Wrote: “This is a nice product. Well made, [the] fit was spot on to the measurements given. Nice quality material. Great price for [three] pieces and complete outfit.” — Brandee J.

They are real and even more beautiful than we imagined, thanks to illustrator Holly Hatam’s vibrant, stunning imagery. If your LO ever wanted to know facts about mermaids, like what they eat (they’re vegetarian) or if they control the weather of the seas (you’ll have to read for this answer), Mermaids Are Real! will spill the secrets. It’s just a matter of time before the kids in school burst their bubbles about the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny, but we’re sticking with YES, merms are real.

One Reviewer Wrote: “My daughter adores all of the Are Real books. They’re short but fun, with vibrant illustrations. These books are her absolute favorites.” — JennDee73

The next time your pre-teen mouths off and you send them to their room, they might calm down sooner with this Mermaid Decor Night Light Projector. One click of a button turns on the light and transports your angsty kid to an underwater oasis far, far away from you, their chores, and their homework. The light has seven types of flash modes and angle adjustment plus built-in speakers. It can also connect to their phone to play all the songs that encompass their emotions and really set the mood. After they’ve been in their seaside atmosphere, they’ll come out cool, calm, and collected, ready to be the loving child you once knew — at least, for the next hour or so.

One Reviewer Wrote: “Great little device! It looked really like you were under the water! It also made the sounds, which was awesome. It added the perfect touch!” — Amazon Customer

Maybe your child isn’t so much into Ariel but channels more of a Ben Stiller in Zoolander type of mermaid. If that’s the case, then this Barbie Dreamtopia Merman Doll is perfect. Complete with the latest in mermaid accessories — notice the pearl string necklace adorned with pink seashells and complimentary blue and white bangles. With a traditional colored ombre tail, this fishy citizen would make a great addition to your underwater community. It also bends at the waist, which makes imaginary play more fun by pretending the mermaid is actually swimming.

One Reviewer Wrote: “My grandson likes the Barbie Dolphin Magic movie, so along with the Barbie mermaid, we got him this Merman Ken and he loves it. The doll is really well made, with excellent detail in the features and in the fishtail/fin. It's really awesome to show that mermaid toys aren't just girls or just for girls.” — btags

Level up your toddler’s shoe game with these mermaid-color-themed sneakers. The easy slip-on style will not only shave five minutes off of your dress time but will make going from sea to land even easier on pool and beach days. Of course, your lil’ wave chaser will love watching their shoes light up with every step they take. The shoe’s elastic laces inspire a sporty look. They’re lightweight, durable and the best part, they’re machine washable. Hallelujah!

One Reviewer Wrote: “These are beautiful in person, toddler loves that they light up (but not overly bright and distracting), and they are holding up very well after three weeks of heavy use. Love!” — JMom

It’s time to make some waves. The Little Tikes Mermaid Island Wavemaker water table lets kids make waves with the easy-to-use wavemaker wheel. It has five unique play stations and lets kids create their own weaves and send their characters sailing around the volcano island or send them down the waterfall slide. Kids can pour water with the bucket to create the waterfall, twirl the palm tree tops with water, wind, or by hand, search for the hidden oyster shell, and spin the wheel to make a wave pool.

One Reviewer Wrote: “The water toy was easy to assemble. It is extra sturdy like all other Little Tikes toys. Inside the bucket was the water stopper, and the bucket was wrapped in plastic. Highly recommend the Mermaid Island toys for hours of fun for kids.” — Shelly K.

Mermaid tales are good for more than just swimming. Using the Creativity for Kids Mermaid Tail Jewelry Maker, you can create up to 10 sea-inspired pieces of jewelry in time to strut before summer ends. Braid, weave, and knot your own jewelry with this kit that features braiding techniques that your young crafters will enjoy. The mermaid tail tool is easy-to-use and comes with charms, pearls, shells, and sea glass beads to create accessories worthy of your mini mermaids. Use this craft kit on your own or as a group activity during small playdates.

One Reviewer Wrote: “My daughter and I had fun making these together. It was a nice way to be creative while stuck at home. The price was great too! The mermaid theme was super cute too.” — Catherine

Straight from the underwater runway is this season’s Party Chili Mermaid Costume and Princess Dress. Go from the sea to land and back again with the two-for-one functionality of the dress. This royal style comes with the princess dress/mermaid costume, gloves, a crown, and a wand. And don’t worry, you won’t have to vacuum any loose glitter either.

One Reviewer Wrote: “I ordered a couple sizes up as other reviewers mentioned and I'm glad I did. It fit both perfectly. One girl couldn't stop jumping up and down she was so excited to wear it, and the other wore it out to eat with the family. Definitely worth the smiles!” — Michelle

The thing about magical creatures is that your child has a million practical questions about their existence and most of the time, we don’t really have the answers. “They aren’t real,” doesn’t seem to make the questions stop. In case your curious kiddo asks where to find mermaids or how to catch them, this book will help answer that question. The book is filled with vivid illustrations of mermaids. Just watch your kid closely after reading the book in case they really try to go out and find one.

One Reviewer Wrote: “This quickly turned into my 4-year-old’s favorite story to read before bed. Very cute story [with] lots of rhyming and bright vibrant pictures. Just a fun story for kids.” — K.S.

Your little one will sleep like a dream in these cute and comfy pjs. These 100% cotton two-piece sets (also available in other cute themes) offer a snuggly fit to ensure sweet dreams for your little mer-creature. Available in a wide assortment of sizes, your mermaid-obsessed kiddo will be all set for years to come.

One Reviewer Wrote: “Bought these for a Christmas gift and my 5-year-old granddaughter loves them so much she’s wearing them as clothes! Too early to tell if they’ll hold up as play wear but she’s happy and that’s what counts.” — rp

Here’s another board game for your kids to beg you to play when all you really want to do is eat a block of cheese in the laundry room. In Mermaid Island, players work together to help mermaids beat the Sea Witch to Mermaid Island. The game includes a game board, three mermaid tokens, a sea witch, four wand tokens, spinners, and (of course), instructions. The game is for 2 to 6 players and is ideal for children ages 5 years and older. Luckily, this game only lasts about 15 minutes and can help children learn about strategy and develop social skills with no reading required.

One Reviewer Wrote: “If you are buying games for kids buy peaceable kingdom games! They are so well made! Also, my youngest got this one for Christmas and has played it every day since! It’s easy to learn, and it’s not about winning but about working together to succeed! For a mom with super competitive kids, this was an amazing learning moment!” — Amazon Customer

Now that you’ve found your favorite mermaid item, check out other fun kids gear. Yes, there are princesses and unicorns, too.