A cool pool is the best way to beat the summer heat. A quick swim is always refreshing, no matter how old you are. A kiddie pool can be a great investment if you know what to look for. Not all kiddie pools are suitable for all situations.
We looked into the best swimming pools for toddlers on the market today and ranked them based on a number of factors to help you choose the best one for your family.
Consider getting a kiddie pool for the kids to cool off after playing in the yard on hot days. They don’t cost much, are easy to put together, and you only need a bit of space outside and a water hose. From cool flamingo pools to kiddie pools with slides, our list is sure to have something that will work for your family. We have created a comparison table so you will have an idea of which swimming pool for toddlers is right for you.
Best Swimming Pools for Toddlers in 2022
1. Step2 Play & Shade Pool
This one isn’t like inflatable pools because it’s made of hard plastic and doesn’t take much time to set up. They will have fun splashing and watching the water turn the attached wheel. Plastic pools are more durable and easier to keep clean, but they are also bigger and harder to store when the season is over.
Two Molded-In Seats
It includes two seats that are built in for your little ones, and it is exactly the appropriate size for two toddlers to hang out and play together for the entire day. The seats are molded together at the bottom of the pool.
Includes Umbrella
Unwind in the cool shade provided by the umbrella included and is 1.02 meters in diameter and 40 inches in height. You don’t have to worry if the sun is up, as your kids are protected.
Three- Funnel Cups
For added play value, this set comes with three funnel cups and a great spinning water wheel that can easily be attached to the umbrella post.
Pros
- Easy to set up.
- Includes attachable umbrella
- Easy to clean.
- Durable.
Cons
- No drain.
- A bit harder to store.
2. Intex Candy Zone Play Center Inflatable
This vibrant play center features a slide appropriate for toddlers, a water sprayer, and two inflated lollipops, all of which can help you build sweet and pleasant memories with your young children. Each of the six sugar balls contributes to a good time.
Easy to Assemble
You can assemble the pool quickly and easily. Simply attach a hose, inflate each air compartment, and start having fun! The combination of a kiddie pool, sprinkler, and slide is quite popular among children. In addition, it is fabricated from durable and high-quality materials and features an integrated patch for repairs.
Fun Decoration
This inflatable pool is decorated with fun and entertaining colorful lollipops, gummies, and jellybeans. It also has built-in sprinklers that keep your kids relaxed and cool as they play in the sun. Six plastic balls can slide down the rails straight to the pool.
With Sprinkling Jet
You can create a lovely and refreshing sprinkling jet if you place a water hose in the middle of the pool. This is a great way to help your young children get used to the water. The colorful play area will keep kids busy for hours. This “sweet” new play center is a great place to have fun in the summer—extra padding on the landing mat. The Intex Candy Zone Play Center with Water Sprayer will give your kids a day of fun in the sun.
Pros
- Colorful and attractive to kids.
- The slide works perfectly.
- The pool is big enough for the kids to play.
- Easy to assemble and deflate if needed.
- It remains blown up longer.
Cons
- It requires an electric air pump to inflate the pool.
3. Funboy Giant Inflatable Swimming Pool
Funboy is considered one of the most fashionable inflatable kiddie pools for backyards. Even adults can fit comfortably on it because of its oversized design. Fill with water to make the perfect play oasis or with balls to keep cool and splash around.
Made of Soft, Non-Toxic Material
Original designer tropical palm is the top company for designing inflatables. It is made of vinyl that is safe, doesn’t have any harmful chemicals, and is soft to the touch. With a built-in drain plug and quick-fill valves, it’s easy to set up and take down.
High-Quality Pool Float
Twenty-four hours in the air to make sure it floats the best. FUNBOY products are put through rigorous third-party testing to ensure they are safe and built well. All floats do better than the standards set by the industry.
Fashionable Inflatable Kiddie Pool
The design is big enough for two adults or several kids to fit comfortably. Fill it with water to splash and cool off, or balls make the best place to play. Balls do not come with it.
Pros
- Looks amazing.
- Safe and well-built.
- The valves are of high quality and make it easier to inflate.
- Inflates and deflates fast and easy.
Cons
- For some, they are not impressed with the laying in.
4. Intex Dinosaur Play Center Inflatable
The Intex Dinosaur Play Center is a great prehistoric oasis where you can get wet and play. The kids will have a lot of fun in this wading pool with a waterfall and palm tree sprayer that you can hook up to a garden hose.
Six Colorful Fun Balls
Feed the hungry dinosaur the six colorful fun balls that come with the game. You can slide down the volcano water slide and land on a soft mat. There is a drain plug for your convenience.
Built-in Sprayer
The Intex Dinosaur Play Center is a great prehistoric oasis where you can splash and play. This wading pool features a waterfall and palm tree sprayer built in can be hooked up to a garden hose for hours of entertainment for the kids.
Easy-to-Assemble
This 57-gallon pool is best for kids ages 3 and up. It is easy to set up because there is only one pool area. Those who have bought it should know that to blow it up with a pump, you need two different-sized attachments, and the main part needs a larger attachment that isn’t standard. This is a good deal for how much fun your family will have with it.
Pros
- Easy to adjust water flow.
- Landing mat for additional padding.
- Easy to drain.
- Setting up is easy.
Cons
- It requires an air pump.
5. Jasonwell Foldable Dog Pet Bath Pool Collapsible
Jasonwell Foldable Dog Pet Bath Pool Collapsible is fun for little kids and their pets. This type of pool does not have to be inflated, so you can swim, bathe, or play in it.
Made of PVC Material
The collapsible pool folds up neatly, so it’s easy to store or bring along on trips. It is made of strong PVC material that won’t tear or slip and doesn’t need to be inflated. Even the sides and bottom of the pool have drain caps.
Easy to Drain
On the bottom, there is a sizeable bed-style drain valve. Easy to drain, fold, and put away. You have the option to use a hose when draining as it has a hose connector that fits the drain valve.
Thick Non-Stick Bottom
Unlike other large dog pools, this one has a bottom that doesn’t stick and is extra thick. It is stable because the side panels are stiff but soft and comfortable. Jasonwell is one of the pools that you can fold up for your big furry friend. Also, this could be the best choice for a ball pit.
Pros
- Available in five different sizes
- Eco-friendly
- Durable pool
- Convenient and easy to store
- Handy and resilient
Cons
- It’s hard to clean its side walls.
- Have a tendency to fall outward.
6. Intex Mini Frame Pool
This is not a typical above-ground pool, but it is a nice option if you have a small outdoor space and want something besides an inflatable pool. It’s not made for swimming, but it’s a good size for kids and good for lounging.
Higher Water Capacity
Frame pools, unlike inflatable pools, have a frame that holds the pool liner up. This makes the pool strong and big enough to hold a lot of water. This Intex mini frame pool has a vinyl liner and a frame made of alloy steel. Once the pool is put together, it can hold about 90 gallons of water. The frame is protected by foam padding for extra safety.
Foam Padded Beams
The foam-padded beams that hold this pool together give it a strong frame. It has a drain plug that makes it easy to get rid of water and comes with a patch in case it gets snagged or torn.
Convenient Drain Plug
Intex Mini Frame Pool has a drain plug for easy draining of water. You can attach a hose into it and let the water drain.
Pros
- Easy to assemble.
- Includes repair patch.
- Draining water is fast and easy.
- With manufacturer warranty.
Cons
- It can accommodate a limited number of swimmers.
What to Look for When Buying a Pool for Toddlers?
Size
You need to consider the size of your yard and your new pool, but you also need to consider how old your children are. To keep younger kids from drowning, pools should be smaller and shallower. Older kids can handle pools that are deeper and wider.
Durability
Kiddie pools are often only suitable for one or two seasons because they tear or get holes. However, this might not be a problem if you’re buying the pool for toddlers and preschoolers who will need a different size pool in a few years. Harder plastic kiddie pools, on the other hand, can last at least a few years, but they cost more. These kinds of kiddie pools are good for kids in elementary school and older who don’t grow as quickly.
Accessories
Many kiddie pools are just that: pools for kids. But there are a lot of different kinds of kiddie pools with lots of extras, like slides, sunshades, and even climbing walls. If you want a kiddie pool with a little something extra, look for one with one or more of the following features. Just keep in mind that it might be hard to find hard plastic kiddie pools that come with these accessories since most kiddie pools that come with accessories are inflatable.
Water Capacity
Check how much water the kiddie pool you’re thinking about can hold. You can find big kiddie pools that you might need to use chlorine tablets and other chemicals to keep the water clean, just like a regular pool. And, of course, a bigger pool will take longer to fill and affect your water bill.
Available Space
The size of the inflatable pool you buy will depend on your yard size. You want to buy a pool that fits well in your yard and gives you room to move around and do other fun things there.
Still, ensure you don’t break the rules about how far the pool can be from the main house and the property lines in your area. Once you know how zoning works in your area and if the landscape of your backyard is good for an inflatable pool, you can move on to the next step.
In-Built Features
Choose an inflatable pool with a water sprinkler, a ring-toss game, and a slippery slide to make swimming more fun.
Most inflatable pools have slides and water sprayers. Most water sprayers are attached to a water hose, so ensure you have a hose before buying a sprinkler.
Get the slides with a detachable air hole to keep them from getting worn out and torn easily. If the slide and the rest of the pool share the same air hole, the whole pool can fall down if the slide breaks.
An inflatable pool is a great alternative to an in-ground pool if you want to spend less money. The pool is cheap and easy to move and set up. It is also light and doesn’t take up much space. The material used to make the pool is easy to clean. If it gets dirty, all you have to do is wipe it down.
Inflating and Deflating
Putting the pool up and taking it down should be easy. Most portable pools for kids are inflated with either an electric or a hand pump. Most of the time, these pumps are bought separately. So, before you buy a portable pool, you need to make sure it has a pump. The deflation should be easy and quick as well. It should also ideally have a drain plug, so water can easily flow out of the pool.
What Ages are Kiddie Pools for?
Babies can get sick from drinking pool water. Because of this, it’s best to wait until your baby is about 2 months old to take them swimming. You don’t have to wait until your baby is vaccinated to take them swimming. If your baby is less than 6 months old, make sure that the pool is about 32° C.
The toddler pool holds a good amount of water and will keep kids cool and busy for hours. Since the pool is only 10 inches deep, it is best for kids at least 3 years old to use it.
Are Kiddie Pools Worth It?
During summer, the safest way to cool down your kids is by letting them swim. Since they are not big enough to swim in a regular pool, buying a kiddie pool is a good idea. Most kiddie pools are equipped with safety gear and fun features that your kids will love. So, is it worth buying? The simple answer is yes.
How Do You Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Without Draining?
- When you’re not using the pool, cover it.
- Clean the pool surface by removing dirt and leaves.
- Use a vacuum to clean up the pool’s bottom.
- Put a sponge that can soak up oil in the water.
- For bigger pools, use chlorine tabs and a dispenser.
- Set up a place to wash your feet near the pool.
Conclusion
Our best overall pick, the Intex Dinosaur Inflatable Play Center, is a kiddie pool that will keep your kids busy for hours without breaking the bank. Your kids will love this all-in-one toy with a slide, ring toss, and more. It has a waterfall and palm tree sprayer built in you can hook up to a garden hose. You can slide down the volcano water slide and land on a soft mat. But if you want a bigger pool that the whole family can use, the Intex Mini Frame Pool with Filter Pump is what you need. This pool has a filter that keeps the water clean for hours. If you find these best swimming pools for toddlers’ review helpful, comment below or share this post with your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQ)
Can adults fit in the kiddie pool?
Yes, there are pools designed to fit adults but with limitations. Most of the toddler pools can fit 1.5 large adult butts.
Can I put baking soda in my kiddie pool?
Salt, baking soda, and vinegar are common household items that you can use to clean the inflatable itself and keep the water clean and ready to splash around in.
Can I put Epsom salt in my kiddie pool?
Epsom salts are not a good way to clean kiddie pools. One of the main reasons why you shouldn’t use Epsom salts to clean a kiddie pool is that the crystals only dissolve in hot water. Putting salts in cold water could be hard on the pool’s liner and cause damage. The crystals will break down eventually, but it will take a while, so keep your child out of the pool until then. Not good.
How do you prevent bacteria in kiddie pools?
· Skim the water to get rid of the trash. Taking care of a kiddie pool is easy if you consider it a smaller version of an in-ground or above-ground pool.
· Prevent the bacteria from accumulating in the kiddie pool by using a small pool portable vacuum.
· Use a pool filter to filter out small dirt and particles in the pool.
· For bigger pools, you can use chlorine to sanitize the water.
· When not in use, do not forget to cover the pool.
Can you use chlorine tablets in a kiddie pool?
Small plastic or inflatable kiddie pools and water slides don’t keep germs away the same way as a hot tub, swimming pool, or water playground do. It’s dangerous to put germ-killing chemicals like chlorine or bromine in the water of kiddie pools and water slides.
How do you keep kids pools clean without chlorine?
· After every splash, clean the pool.
· Putting skimmer nets can also keep the kiddie pool clean even without using chlorine.
· Always cover the pool when not in use.
· Personal hygiene is also essential in keeping the pool clean.
· You can use an aqua broom to remove the dirt.
How often should you change kiddie pool water?
Small plastic or inflatable pools and water slides should have their water dumped out at least once a day to stop the spread of germs.