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A kiddie pool is a small pool designed specifically for children that's typically inflatable or made of hard plastic. Kiddie pools are a great investment forwhen summer approaches, or if you live in a warmer climate, to keep children cool and entertained on hot, sticky days. The best options will last through the season, and depending on your kids' ages, have add-on features to make play more exciting.
Reviewed & Approved
TheIntex彩虹圈充气游戏中心has two wading pools, a water slide, and multiple activities to entertain the kids. For a budget-friendly option, we recommend theIntex Sunset Glow Baby Pool.
Be sure to choose a kiddie pool that is appropriate for your children's age and is durable enough to withstand their play. We carefully considered design, ease of assembly, water capacity, durability, and value when reviewing products.
Here are the best kiddie pools for sunny summer days (don't forget the sunscreen!).
Best Overall: Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
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Courtesy of Amazon
Water slide
Built-in sprayer
2 wading pools
Air pump needed
No shade
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 isbest for swimmersages 2 and up.
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)
Best Budget: Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Perfect for young toddlers
Small
This affordable option works well if all you need is to cool off and splash around. Perfect for tiny tots between 1 and 3 years old, it doesn't require too much water to get the pool party started.
This kiddie pool is easy to transport for aday at the beachor a friend's backyard. It’s also the perfect size to double as a ball pit during the colder months.
Dimensions:34 x 10 inches |Age Recommendation:1 to 3 years old |Material:Vinyl |Water Capacity:18 gallons
Best Splurge: Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great for crowds
Climbing wall
Two slides
Costly
Take-down is time-consuming
If you don’t mind spending a little more, this Little Tikes inflatable pool featuring a fun waterslide is a crowd-pleaser. Kids can climb the center wall to the top and race down either of the two slides into the pool.
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.
Dimensions:161 x 169 x 103 inches |Age Recommendation:5 to 10 years old |Material:Plastic |Water Capacity:Not Listed
Best for Multiples: FUNBOY Tropical Palm Kiddie Pool
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Courtesy of Funboy
Quick inflation and deflation
Stylish print
No extras
No shade
This pool is big enough to hold two adults or multiple kids ages 6 or older. Measuring 66 inches in diameter, this Funboy pool works well in a variety of spaces. The rapid inflate and deflate valves inflate in minutes and fans of the product rave about the quality and how well it stands up against wear and tear.
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.
Dimensions:66 (diameter) x 18 inches (height) |Age Recommendation:6 years old and up |Material:Vinyl |Water Capacity:250 Gallons
Best Play Center: Intex Dinosaur Inflatable Play Center
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Courtesy of Amazon
Palm tree waterfall
Slide
Easy set-up
Air pump required
No shade
A play center is a nice upgrade to your standard kiddie pool. This activity center will keep them busy with the hungry dinosaur game, going down the slide, and sitting under the palm tree waterfall.
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.
Dimensions:98.03 x 75.2 x 42.9 inches |Age Recommendation:3 years old and up |Material:Vinyl |Water Capacity:57 gallons
Best Non-Inflatable: Step2 Play & Shade Pool
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Courtesy of Amazon
Minimal set-up
Attachable umbrella
Easy to clean
Small
No drain
Unlike inflatable pools, this one is made of hard plastic and requires minimal setup. It features two molded-in seats for your little ones and is the perfect size for two toddlers to spend the day socializing andplaying together. They will enjoy splashing around and watching the water turn the attached wheel. While a plastic pool is more durable and easier to keep clean, it is bulkier to store during the off-season.
We love that this pool comes with attachable umbrellas and three funnel cups for scooping and pouring water. Although it holds up to 12 gallons of water, that's all that is required to get the most out of this pool.
Dimensions:37.5 x 37.5 x 50 inches |Age Recommendation:2 years old and up |Material:Plastic |Water Capacity:12 gallons
Best With Shade: Bestway H2OGO! Splash-in-Shade Play Pool
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Courtesy of Amazon
UV-resistant canopy
Great for the whole family
No pump
Some days are hotter than others, which is why we love this pick from Bestway featuring an extra-large canopy. The canopy is UV-resistant and offers full coverage to protect your little one from sun exposure.
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.
Dimensions:8 feet x 20 inches |Age Recommendation:2 years old and up |Material:Polyester |Water Capacity:78 gallons
Best for Babies: SwimSchool Splash Play Mat
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Courtesy of Amazon
Attachable canopy
Stackable toy rings
Only fits one baby
Made for keeping your babyprotected from the sun, this cute elephant pool will give you peace of mind and hours of entertainment. It's easy to blow up and has a built-in sprinkler for added enjoyment. The internal diameter measures 28.3 inches and is built for one baby to sit comfortably.
Unlike most other baby pools this pool 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.
Dimensions:2 x 15.75 x 13.62 inches |Age Recommendation:6 to 18 months |Material:Mesh and PVC Plastic |Water Capacity:Not Listed
Final Verdict
把你的后院变成水上公园国际展览中心Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play pool (view on Amazon). With a slide, sprinkler, and pool area, your kids will enjoy hours of fun.
For an option that even the big kids and grown-ups can enjoy, the Sable Inflatable Pool (view on Amazon) has a large water capacity and plenty of space for everyone.
What to Look for in a Kiddie Pool
Age Guidelines
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 poolsare 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 poolsare 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 McCormackis 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.