Ivan_Sabo/Shutterstock
Guide

A childhood dream(a) comes true: these air mattresses are wild

Darina Schweizer
12.7.2025
Translation: machine translated

It doesn't always have to be a pink flamingo: Galaxus has all kinds of inflatable rubber animals. A species-rich selection for the summer holidays - and a little story about a painful loss.

It was the summer when the heat shimmered and my faith in humanity evaporated. 2003, primary school days, I was floating blissfully through the outdoor pool on my inflatable alligator. Suddenly a sharp squeak, a jolt, water over my head. An older boy snatches my animal from me and dashes off through the water, laughing maliciously. My
Alligator never appeared again.

I still haven't fully come to terms with the loss. That's why I recently thought to myself: why not buy an inflatable rubber animal as an adult?

Here is a small selection of floating creatures: those that I would buy for the summer holidays and those that make me immediately run out of breath.

The dinosaur of my dreams

The sight of this would have made my primary school heart skip a beat: the almost 1.8 metre long and almost one metre high brontosaurus is a real eye-catcher thanks to its photorealistic print. The great white shark, the ray, the peacock and the zebra are similarly detailed. And then there's the alligator - don't get sentimental. Oh ...

The naked mole rats under the mattresses

For birds of paradise

If you don't already stand out enough in the hotel pool with your colourful swimming costume, it's best to get a colourful swimming animal to go with it. For example, the «Bestway Pop Rhino», which is reminiscent of the chequered elephant Elmar or the upbeat parrot. The cool cousin of Disney crab Sebastian is also guaranteed to cause a stir.

That's the laughing gull grinning

Not a feast for the eyes, but at least a reason to smile at the following creatures. I mean, how funny are the hanging ears of the rubber dachshund doing a double splits, the spray-painted lips of the «Intex fish swimming boat» or the XXL swan for six people?

If that's all a bit too animalistic for you, you can always lie down under this terribly stable-looking rubber palm. Have a great holiday then! And if you see a now 36-year-old man on a faded rubber alligator somewhere, push him down for me.

Which rubber gators do you float through the water with? Tell me in a comment.

Header image: Ivan_Sabo/Shutterstock

30 people like this article


User Avatar
User Avatar

I like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know? 


Water sports
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Toys
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Guide

Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

  • Guide

    These 5 outdoor games for kids are a hit

    by Katja Fischer

  • Guide

    Golden September: products for the transition from summer to autumn

    by Stephan Lamprecht

  • Guide

    3 swimwear brands that you didn't have on your (sun)screen

    by Laura Scholz