There are plenty of options to help your family cool off, including inflatable, plastic, and frame pools. Whichever variety of kiddie pool you choose, be sure it is appropriate for your children’s age and durable enough to withstand their play. “Kiddie pools are a fun way to cool down from the summer heat, but remember safety does matter!” Mona Amin, DO, a board-certified general pediatrician based in Florida and member of Buybuy Baby’s Parenting Pros says. “Make sure to always use sunscreen since they may be out for a while. … [M]ake sure to use clean water every time and to rinse the pool and wipe it down at every use. Because these pools/water lack chlorine, we want to make sure there’s no infection risk.” We carefully considered design, ease of assembly, water capacity, durability, and value when reviewing products for this list. Here are the best kiddie pools for sunny summer days. The Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center earns our top spot because this pool is more than your standard kiddie pool thanks to a slew of additional features. This pool has two wading pools, a water slide, and multiple activities to entertain the kids like ring toss, two ball games, and a built-in sprayer. It fits up to six kids and is best for swimmers ages 2 and up. Price at time of publication: $60 Dimensions: 117 x 76 x 53 inches | Age recommendation: 2 to 7 years old | Material: Not Listed | Water capacity: 54 gallons (main pool) and 46 gallons (wading pool) This kiddie pool is easy to transport for a day at the beach or a friend’s backyard. It’s also the perfect size to double as a ball pit during the colder months. Price at time of publication: $11 Dimensions: 34 x 10 inches | Age recommendation: 1 to 3 years old | Material: Vinyl | Water capacity: 18 gallons Made of durable, colorful plastic, this pool is easy to set up thanks to the included heavy-duty blower and stakes to hold in place. Trust us, your kids will love this pool. Price at time of publication: $498 Dimensions: 161 x 169 x 103 inches | Age recommendation: 5 to 10 years old | Material: Plastic | Water capacity: Not Listed Funboy uses industry-leading safe, non-toxic, soft-touch vinyl and with its fun, tropical palm print, it will look cute outdoors even when there aren’t kids around. Price at time of publication: $57 Dimensions: 66 (diameter) x 18 inches (height) | Age recommendation: 6 years old and up | Material: Vinyl | Water capacity: 250 Gallons Best for ages 3 and up, this pool fits 57 gallons of water, and with only one pool area the set-up is a breeze. Those who have purchased make note that two size attachments are required to blow up with a pump, and the main part needs a larger attachment that is not standard. This is priced well for the hours of fun your family will enjoy. Price at time of publication: $74 Dimensions: 98.03 x 75.2 x 42.9 inches | Age recommendation: 3 years old and up | Material: Vinyl | Water capacity: 57 gallons Measuring 48 by 48 inches wide and 12 inches tall, the pool is safe for children ages 2 and up. And, thanks to the pool’s smaller size, you don’t need to worry about a pump or ladder. Price at time of publication: $84 Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 12 inches | Age recommendation: 2 years old and up | Material: Vinyl and alloy steel | Water capacity: Approximately 90 gallons We love that this pool comes with attachable umbrellas and three funnel cups for scooping and pouring water. Although it only holds up to 12 gallons of water, that’s all that is required to get the most out of this pool. Price at time of publication: $100 Dimensions: 37.5 x 37.5 x 50 inches | Age recommendation: 2 years old and up | Material: Plastic | Water capacity: 12 gallons The wide sidewalls make this pool super comfortable and the fun marine designs make it extra fun. It holds about 78 gallons of water and is best for two kids ages 2 and up. This pool is a great inexpensive option that’s perfect for playdates. Price at time of publication: $209 Dimensions: 8 feet x 20 inches | Age recommendation: 2 years old and up | Material: Polyester | Water capacity: 78 gallons Unlike most other baby pools this has an additional cushion that adds comfort for your little one and protects your lawn. It holds just enough water for the baby to cool off on a hot day. Even though it is only a small amount of water, never ever leave a baby unattended in a pool. Price at time of publication: $28 Dimensions: 2 x 15.75 x 13.62 inches | Age recommendation: 6 to 18 months | Material: Mesh and PVC Plastic | Water capacity: Not Listed Price at time of publication: $25 Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 4 inches | Age recommendation: 12 months old and up | Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Water capacity: Not Listed
What to Look for in a Kiddie Pool
Age Guidelines
“Kiddie pools can be a safe way for a child to play outdoors and beat the heat, provided families give adequate supervision,” Dr. Lee says. Before purchasing a kiddie pool, make sure it’s age-appropriate for your children. Some kiddie pools are designed for babies and toddlers while others are geared toward older kids and have a higher water capacity. In addition to checking the pool’s age recommendation, it’s up to you to be up to date on pool safety. Drowning is the number one cause of death, after birth defects, for kids from ages 1 to 4. Tragically, drowning can happen in the blink of an eye, silently, and in only an inch or two of water. To protect your children, drain smaller pools in between uses, install a fence around large pools, designate a water watcher anytime kids are playing in a pool, and be up to date on CPR training. All of these can save your child’s life, or another child’s, while they’re playing in the water or in the yard near a pool.
Durability
While there are other materials, like polyester, kiddie pools are usually made of vinyl (inflatable pools) or hard plastic. There are pros and cons to each material.
Inflatable, vinyl kiddie pools are portable and lightweight, and can be taken down once you’re finished using them. However, they are susceptible to tears and other damage.Hard plastic pools are usually budget-friendly at any big retailer and last longer than vinyl. They usually don’t have a drain, and are much bulkier to store. But they are easy to set up as they don’t require an air pump. Just fill with water and jump in.
Water Capacity
Be sure to see how much water capacity the kiddie pool you’re considering can hold. Some kiddie pools are big enough that you may need to keep the water clean with chlorine tablets and other chemicals like a traditional pool. And of course, a larger pool will take longer to fill and have a bigger impact on your water bill.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Deanna McCormack is a copywriter and marketing professional who writes product reviews for parents and families. She lives with her two kids under 3 in sunny Arizona where they swim almost every day of the year. “Ideally, the pool should be placed on a soft surface such as grass, rather than a driveway, especially if the floor of the pool is not inflatable. This way, if a child does slip and fall, they would be less likely to suffer a significant injury,” Dr. Lee says. When swim time is over, empty the pool and remove toys so your child isn’t tempted to reach in for them. “Clean it before and after [use],” Dr. Amin says. “Ideally, disinfect after every use, drain it and use mild dish soap to scrub it down.” It’s also smart to check state and local laws, as some may require a barrier like a fence around backyard pools (usually depending on their size). Lastly, be on the lookout for slipping—one reason water shoes can be a great idea in and near kiddie pools—and sunburn, since kiddie pools tend to be used on warm days when the sun is shining and most don’t have shade canopies. “Because there is no chlorine, bacteria can be more likely to be present,” Dr. Amin adds. “This is a risk and not a definite, so taking precautions can be helpful. Always make sure the children use the bathroom before and use swim diapers to contain stool.” Unlike chlorine pools and hot tubs, where chemical disinfectants protect against viral and bacterial spread, kiddie pools can harbor pathogens that lead to diarrhea or vomiting. Additionally, watch to ensure kiddos don’t drink the water if possible. ”Limit them [from] drinking the water directly from a safety perspective,” Dr. Amin says. And, thoroughly disinfect the pool if anyone vomits or poops in it. To clean a kiddie pool, dump water daily, rinse the pool with fresh water, and let the plastic air-dry to keep your kiddie pool in tip-top shape. If a child poops (in or out of a swim diaper) or throws up in your pool, end the pool party immediately. Use disposable gloves or a plastic bag to fish out as much solid waste as you can, drain the pool water, and start cleaning. First, scrub with soapy water, rinse with clean water, and air-dry. Next, disinfect surfaces using a bleach-based cleaning solution (one gallon of water plus 1/4 cup of household bleach). Leave it on the surface for six minutes or however long the manufacturer recommends, then rinse with fresh water and air dry in the sun for at least four hours.
