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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
There's no better place to beat the heat (and have some fun) than in a kiddie pool.
We've spent hours researching pools from the most popular brands, evaluating ease of setup and maintenance, durability, and overall value. Read on for our favorite picks that keep your child cool, happy, and safe.
Best Overall
Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
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Amazon
Large size
Easy installation
Comes with a lot of fun features
Doesn't come with a blower for inflation
For kids who are looking for a little more water action, there’s this bright, inflatable play center that will keep them busy for hours. It comes with a water slide, wading pool, ring toss game, and a ball roller game, complete with balls and rings. It also comes with a water sprayer, which can be attached to a garden hose for extra wet fun. All of the added features that lead to hours of outdoor fun make this pick our favorite.
Also, there’s plenty of room for several kids to play at a time. One thing to note, this pick doesn't come with a blower for inflation, so you'll have to provide that yourself. The large pool comes with tons of positives but also means you may have to allot a bit more time to set up.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 15.98 x 15.98 x 5.51 inches | Shape: Ring | Water Capacity: 77 gallons | Frame: PVC | Set-Up Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Best for Adults
Intex Metal Frame Pool with Filter Pump
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Amazon
Comes in various sizes
Easy installation
Low maintenance
Requires a large, flat space
When you want a bit more space for the water action, there’s this 12-foot pool from Intex. It’s 30 inches deep, and it comes with a filter pump to keep the water clean. The sides are made of laminated PVC to keep it sturdy, and a ground fault circuit interrupter is included which will automatically shut the pump off if water happens to come into contact with the electrical current.
We loved the easy setup process during testing. With just three steps, you can have it set up and ready to fill with water in just 30 minutes. It also comes in larger sizes if you want even more space for swimming. However, the large space required and the access to a power source make this pick not for everyone.
Price at time of publish: $166
Dimensions: 144 x 144 x 30 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 1,718 gallons | Frame: Laminated PVC | Set-Up Time: 30 minutes
Best Budget
Intex Kiddie Pool - Kid's Summer Sunset Glow Design
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Amazon
Easy installation
Has cushioned flooring
Small size is great for younger kids
May puncture easily
What better way to cool off your child on a hot summer day than in a cute little pool made just for them? You only need a few inches of water to provide your little one with relief, adding to the ease factor of this pick. Additionally, the pool takes minutes to set up and just a few minutes to fill. The bottom of the pool gets inflated to provide some cushioning against the hard ground or rocks. As with all kiddie pools, never leave your child unattended.
Your kid will enjoy this for years past as a nice place to sit back and relax. If you plan on hosting any barbecues you could even fill it with ice as an impromptu cooler.
Price at time of publish: $18
Dimensions: 58 x 58 x 13 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 203 gallons | Frame: Vinyl | Set-Up Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Best for Toddlers
Intex Dinosaur Inflatable Play Center
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Amazon
Portable
Comes with a lot of fun features
Includes a repair kit
Has a drain plug
No warranty
For the tiniest toddlers, this friendly dino will provide a splishin’ splashin’ good time. Designed for toddlers, it’s a great introduction to water before they’re ready to dive into a bigger pool.
This pick proves just big enough to sit and play, but light and portable enough to move around or take to the park, beach, or pool. It also comes with six plastic balls and a patch in case it springs a leak. Also, we give it bonus points for the adorable and inviting design.
Price at time of publish: $74
Dimensions: 98 x 75 x 43 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Water Capacity: 72 gallons | Frame: Vinyl | Set-Up Time: 10 to 30 minutes
Best Slide
Costzon Inflatable Mighty Bounce House Jumper with Water Slide
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Amazon
Great for block parties
Puncture-resistant
Includes a carrying bag
Doesn't come with a blower for inflation
If your kids are into action, this slide is a must-have. Your children will have to scale up an inflatable wall to get to the top of the slide where they fly down into a kiddie pool. Before they go back up they can swim around in the water and complete the whole cycle again and again.
This pool is sure to be the hit of the neighborhood. Just be aware that it has a 300-pound weight limit so you can't have all the kids from the block on it.
Price at time of publish: $380
Dimensions: 156 x 118 x 100 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Water Capacity: 72 gallons | Frame: PVC | Set-Up Time: 10 to 30 minutes
Best for Babies
Intex Mushroom Baby Pool
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Amazon
Built-in shade
Has cushioned flooring
Includes repair kit
Easy installation
Can be used indoors and outdoots
Top can sometimes fall over
Made for keeping your little ones protected from the sun, this Mushroom Baby Pool from Intex is fun and adorable. Complete with a mushroom sunshade and matching mushroom buddy, your tot will stay cool and protected in the shade as they splash around. Designed for babies and toddlers, it also features a soft inflatable floor designed for extra comfort. This pool is perfect for smaller spaces and comes complete with a repair patch for long-term use.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 35 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 12 gallons | Frame: Vinyl | Set-Up Time: 10 minutes
Best Splurge
Kahuna Mega Blast Inflatable Backyard Kiddie Pool and Slide Water Park
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Amazon
Great for older kids
Comes with a lot of fun features
Durable
Easy installation
Expensive
If your space and budget allow for something over the top, this inflatable kiddie pool and water park is for you. With it, they'll get a slide, water blasters, a climbing wall, a pool, and much more.
While you might not want to have this set up every day in your backyard, this is a great option to pull out for warm, sunny days when you need your kids to stay entertained for a few hours at a time. This also comes in handy for birthdays or other outdoor celebrations.
Price at time of publish: $500
Dimensions: 180 x 180 x 108 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Water Capacity: N/A | Frame: PVC, ABS Plastic | Set-Up Time: 3 minutes
Best Splash Mat
Banzai Sprinkle & Splash Play Mat
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Amazon
Great for small spaces
Inexpensive
Only requires a hose for set up
Can be very slippery and cause falls
If your little one isn't quite ready to swim but still wants to splash around in the water, The Banzi Sprinkle & Splash Play Mat is a perfect choice for them. Featuring an adorable design of little sea creatures, its squishy water-filled border acts like a sprinkler, while the pool itself holds just enough water for your little one to enjoy. The playmat proves easy to assemble and only requires your garden hose for quick solutions to beat the heat.
Price at time of publish: $11
Dimensions: 54 x 54 x 1.8 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: N/A | Frame: PVC | Set-Up Time: 10 minutes
Best With Shade
Bestway H2OGO! Splash-in-Shade Play Pool
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Walmart
Shade is UV-resistant
Rust-resistant frame
Easy installation
Warranty is only for the pool liner
Too much time in the sun can leave skin scorched. For those times when you don’t want to cut the fun short, there’s this pool with shade built right in. The UV-resistant shade also has a sprayer on top to keep the pool nice and cool. Plus, it's big enough for several people to soak at a time. Made with rust-resistant, galvanized metal frames, it’s built to be durable, too.
Price at time of publish: $159
Dimensions: 96 x 96 x 20 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 446 gallons | Frame: PVC | Set-Up Time: 30 minutes
For a kiddie pool that can keep your children entertained for hours without breaking the bank, pick up our best overall pick the Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center. Complete with a slide, ring toss, and more, your kids are sure to enjoy this all-in-one toy. But if you're looking for a larger swimming pool the whole family can enjoy, then the Intex Metal Frame Pool with Filter Pump is right for you. This spacious inflatable pool features a water filter to keep the pool clean for hours.
What to Look for in Kiddie Pools
Size
Not only do you need to consider the size of your yard and new pool, but you also have to keep in mind your children's ages. Younger kids need smaller, shallower pools to reduce the risk of drowning, while older kids can handle pools that are deeper and wider.
Durability
Inflatable kiddie pools often only last a season or two, as they're prone to puncturing or tearing. However, this may be okay if you're buying the pool for growing children, like toddlers and preschoolers, who will need a different-sized pool in a couple of years anyways. Meanwhile, harder plastic kiddie pools can last at least a few years, but they're more expensive. These types of kiddie pools are a good choice for elementary schoolers and up who aren't growing as fast.
Accessories
Many kiddie pools are nothing more than that: kiddie pools. However, there's a wide world of kiddie pools with accessories galore, like sunshades, slides, and even climbing walls. If you're looking for a kiddie pool with a little something extra, consider kiddie pools with these additional features. Just take note that you might be pressed to find hard plastic pools that come with these accessories, as most accessorized kiddie pools are inflatable.
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How do you keep a kiddie pool clean?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, small inflatable pools should be emptied at least once a day to prevent spreading bacteria. After emptying out the water in the pool, remove any excess dirt or debris. You'll want to wash it down with soapy water (a bit of mild dish soap with work), rinse, and let it air dry. For larger pools, you may need to invest in a filtration system and a good pool cleaner.
When not in use, it's also a good idea to cover your kiddie pool. This will help keep it cleaner and protect it from things like bugs and larger debris.
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How long do you leave water in a kiddie pool?
If you choose not to use chemicals in your pool, the water should be drained after use within 24 hours. Although this means refilling the pool with fresh water every day you use it, it's the best way to prevent infection and waterborne diseases from forming. Using chlorine tablets or small amounts of bleach in your pool to keep the water safer isn't a good idea either. It's too tricky to determine the right dose in order for it to be effective, especially if there are multiple children using the pool. To keep your pool as safe as it can be, it's best to stick to emptying and washing it out after every use.
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How do you store a kiddie pool?
You'll want to get your kiddie pool its own large, air-tight storage bin and keep it in there after thoroughly cleaning it and letting it completely air dry. Keeping it in its own storage tub will also prevent any holes from forming and will keep it away from the elements. When taking it out of storage, you should also clean it thoroughly again for using it.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, crafts, and the holidays.