12 Best Paddling Pool For Kids & Families This Summer

Dip Your Toes into Our Reviews of Paddling Pools For Kids, Dogs & Families

When we are not escaping to the country for picnics, our family has created a beach retreat including BBQ and a giant rigid paddling pool. Traditional Paddling pools and lazy spas (Sorry, lay-z-spas) can be great places to play and chill as we have those long-awaited heatwaves. You might think the Lay Z Spa will be hot, but you can turn the water heater off for a bubbling plunge pool! Whether you need a baby paddling pool, a selection of fun inflatable kids paddling pools or even pet paddling pools we have you covered here.  We have deep pools and cold paddling pools, and budget friendly options. Children’s Swimming pools have got bigger since the days I was a kid, they certainly robust pools.  And boy are they fancy now you can get heated paddling pool and swimming pool play areas now (think slip and slides we made as kids with plastic bags & the hose pìpe). Not got time to wade (hahah) through paddling pool reviews then here are our top paddling pool picks ready for you to buy today and chill out with asap!

Guide to buying the Best Paddling Pool

Paddling pools are a must-have for some at-home fun. However, to get the most out of your home pool, you want to keep it safe, buy a model that fits your needs, and learn about good old-fashioned maintenance. Here is a quick guide to buying the best kids swimming pool.

Safety

Whether you buy a small inflatable paddling pool or a framed paddling pool, keeping your children safe is the number one rule. Firstly, keep an eye on your kids at all times. It doesn’t matter how old they are. A few inches of water is enough to be a potential safety hazard. Consider installing a barrier around your toddler pool. And always keep your baby in your arms, on your knees, or at arm’s length when you play with them in the water. Also, always check the age guide when buying any swimming or paddling pool.  Underneath each of our in-depth reviews, we give you an age guide to help you buy the right pool for your family. Finally look for one with a built in sun shade if you can or  place the pool under a gazebo for plenty of shade.  UV sun rays can do more than give sunburn – they can cause skin cancer later in life with deadly consequences.

Size and Shape

Paddling pools come in various shapes and sizes. They can be circular, rectangular, oval, or even hexagonal. Depending on where you intend to place your pool, you should consider how much room you have in your garden and what shape would be most suitable for you. For instance, a circular pool is a good choice for a small garden or a patio, as it won’t take up as much space. At the same time, a rectangular pool will be more suitable for larger gardens. Paddling pools are commonly made with polyvinyl chloride, vinyl, or PVC materials. Small paddling pools generally have three inflatable rings.  Larger pools sometimes only have one inflatable ring and take shape as you fill them with water. You can also buy a large rigid paddling pool with steel pillars. Those paddling pools are like waterproof sheets where you can insert steel pillars at the rim and along the walls. Once you fill it up with water, the sheet’s surface becomes nice and smooth. But depending on your budget, consider opting for durable materials that don’t tear or puncture easily.  As I always say at lifeisapicnic – you get what you pay for!

Maintenance

Depending on the type of paddling pool you go for, maintenance might be a bit different. But many of the time, small inflatable swimming pools or pop-up children’s paddling pools don’t have any filters as they don’t require any chemicals to sanitise the water. That said, water gets grubby quickly. So, you should change it every day or every day for two days at least. Obviously, for larger swimming pools, that isn’t an option. So you’ll have to use a sanitiser/ water clarifier like chlorine or saltwater to eliminate bacteria, algae, and other pathogens. Our in-depth reviews state whether your paddling pool has a filter system, and if not, you can buy them as an extra.

Heated VS Non-Heated Paddling Pools

Paddling pools are a great way to enjoy the summer months. But, if we’re being honest here, our English summers aren’t the hottest. And the water’s probably a lot colder than we’d like it to be (the temperature of your pool will be, on average, your night time temp!). Luckily, you can easily heat your pool at a low cost. Our favourite way is with a solar heating mat easily placed underneath your pool. And some frigid paddling pools with pumps have a solar-heated cover. However, you can also buy an electric paddling pool heater easily placed by your swimming pool.  These are more costly outlay but can be a very effective way to get a warm paddling pool.

Types of paddling pools

The great thing about paddling pools is that they are easy to assemble, light, and practical. That said, many different types suit each person’s needs. From three-ringed inflatable toddler paddling pools for small kids to a 10ft paddling pool, you’ve got various models to choose from. For instance, if you’re looking to buy a paddling pool for your toddler, a small pool with 7 inches of water or less is perfect. A sandpit pool is also great for kids between 4 and 7 years old to have their friends over for the afternoon. Just remember to consider the size of your garden, what surface you’ll be placing the pool on, and how you plan on storing it during the winter months before you make your purchase. But now it’s time to dive in, and let’s look at our 12 best paddling pools for kids and families.

Pros

• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Good quality for the price
• Sturdy and long-lasting

Cons

• Joints might need to be tightened now and then
• A bit difficult to drain
• Need two people to build

NEED TO KNOW: The available sizes for this paddling pool are 2,20 x 1,5 x 0,60 metres (86.8 x 59 x 23.6 inches) and 3 x 2 x 0.75 metres (118.1 x 78.7 x 29.5 inches). And it can hold up to 3834 Litres of water. This swimming pool is quite deep, so make sure children are under supervision at all times.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Good quality
• Very good for the money

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a filter
• Colour fades easily when sanitised with chlorine
• Doesn’t come with a ladder

NEED TO KNOW:  This swimming pool measures 305 x 305 x 76cm (120 x 120 x 29.9 inches) and holds up to 4, 485 Litres of water. This paddling pool is suitable for children 6+.

Pros

• Very easy to inflate
• Good quality plastic
• Big enough for a family of 4

Cons

• Takes time to fill up
• Needs to be inflated regularly
• Requires an electric pomp

NEED TO KNOW: This paddling pool measures 250 x 180 x 55cm (98.4 x 70.8 x 21.6 inches) and can hold up to 153 gallons/579 Litres of water. This swimming pool is suitable for children of 4+.

No products found.

Pros

• Very good quality
• Can be converted into a sandpit
• Perfect for toddlers over 2 years of age

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a cover, so you need to empty the pool and place as a lid over the sandpit
• Only comes in one colour

NEED TO KNOW: This toddler paddling pool measures 23.5 x 106 x 92cm (9.25 x 41.7 x 36.2 inches) and can hold up to 111 Litres of water. It is suitable for children of 2+.

Pros

• Great quality
• Comes with balls and inflatable loops
• Sprinklers just above the slide

Cons

• Too big to inflate without an electric pump
• Some users say it’s smaller than the picture
• Needs to be inflated regularly

NEED TO KNOW: This paddling pool measures 47.6 x 15.2 x 40.6cm (18.7 x 5.98 x 15.9 inches) and can hold from 168 Litres to 206 Litres of water. Suitable for children between 3 and 6 years old.

Pros

• No inflating required
• Can be converted into a ball pit
• Keeps toddlers entertained for hours

Cons

• Not as sturdy as some customers thought
• Not as easy to put down
• No balls included – order them as extra here

NEED TO KNOW: This baby paddling pool measures 95cm x 77cm (37.4 x 30.3 inches), and the portable bag measures 37,5cm x 33,5cm. Suitable for children 2+. Order the ball pit balls here.

Pros

• Great quality
• Lightweight
• Durable

Cons

• Requires a 480W or 680W blower
• Doesn’t come with a blower to inflate it
• Needs to be secured so doesn’t blow away!

NEED TO KNOW: This kid paddling pool measures 400cm x 360cm x 270cm (157.4 x 141.7 x 106.2 inches) and can take up to 3 children at a time (159kg). Suitable for children between 3 and 10 years old. Order the ball pit balls here. Order 480W Air Blower here.

Pros

• Users say it’s the perfect size and depth
• Users say you can fit quite a few inflatables inside
• Very easy to assemble

Cons

• On the pricey side
• Requires sanitiser
• Can take up to 9 hours to fill up

NEED TO KNOW: This frigid paddling pool measures 3.66 m x 76 cm (12 ft x 30 inches) and can hold up to 6,473 Litres of water. Suitable for children 3+. Buy your paddling pool sanitiser items here.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Good quality
• Holds its shape very well

Cons

• Some users felt it was too small
• The drain plug doesn’t drain all the way
• Doesn’t stand on its own without water inside

NEED TO KNOW: This dog’s paddling pool comes in 4 sizes and 4 colours (black, blue, grey, and red). The larger model measures 160 x 160 x 30 cm (62.9 x 62.9 x 11.8 inches) and takes dogs up to 60kg (132 lbs).

Pros

• Very quickly inflated
• Built-in pillow and drink holders
• Very well made

Cons

• Smaller than featured sizes
• Requires electric pump
• Can take a while to drain

NEED TO KNOW: This rectangular paddling pool comes in 3 sizes. The medium-sized model measures 175 x 51 x 262 cm (68.8 x 20 x 103.1 inches) and can take up to 982 Litres of water. Suitable for children 36 months +.

Pros

• Quickly inflatable
• Very spacious
• Great for cooling down in hot weather

Cons

• Some customers found it hard to replace the valve after filling it up with air
• A drain plug is located underneath the pool
• Needs to be inflated every four to five days

NEED TO KNOW:  This small paddling pool measures 15.3 x 45.8 x 40.3 cm (6 x 18 x 15.8 inches) and weighs 7 kg (15 lbs). Suitable for children 3+.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• It takes under 4 hours to fill up
• Holds its shape

Cons

• The ring needs to be inflated now and then
• Requires sanitiser
• Requires electric pomp

NEED TO KNOW: This swimming pool measures 2.44 x 2.44 x 0.66 metres (6.19 x 6.19 x 1.67 inches) and can hold up to 2,100 Litres of water. Suitable for toddlers and children as long as they are supervised at all times.

Other Paddling Pool Essentials

Here are some extra bits you’ll want to have with your pool. From paddling pool heaters to the best outdoor toys, we’ve got great recommendations for you below:

• Pool covers:

Pool covers are essential to keeping leaves, bugs and other creatures away from your pool. Not to mention it’s a lot safer to have if you have kids around. This QiuQiu Solar Pool Cover for Frame Pools, Rectangular Swim Pool Cover is perfect for the Intex Metal Frame Rectangular Pool. It’s easy to put on and remove, and the little ropes at the end enable you to stabilise it. For the Bestway Swimming Pool, this Bestway BW58037 12 feet pool cover is a great option. It traps the heat from a hot summer’s day, and according to users, it’s a perfect fit.

• Pool heaters:

To keep your pool warm at all times, this Intex Eco-Friendly Solar Heating Mat is a perfect choice. You can place it under small to medium-sized paddling pools. And according to users, it keeps their swimming pool warm without breaking the bank. This Intex 28684 Electric Above Ground Pool Heater is also very practical. Customers were so happy to be able to keep their pool warm in English weather.

• Pool pumps:

To keep your water clean and usable at all times, this Bestway Flowclear 330gal Filter Pump Swimming Pool is perfect for the job. Customers say it’s powerful and works very well.

• Pool filters:

To get the most out of your paddling pool pump, you have to change your filter regularly. These Housmile Pool filter replacements were well received by users, customers say they are very cheap and of great quality. Another good alternative is this Flowclear™ Type II Filter Cartridge. Customers say their water has been crystal clear ever since!

• Pool toys:

Pool toys are so much fun, aren’t they? And to have the best family time, I strongly recommend this Auney Water Toy for Kids. My kids absolutely loved thes fun colourful water pistols. It’s easy for them to refill and use, and they were running around all day with them. Another great toy is this Intex 58504NP Floating Hoop Game. Place it in the pool and throw the inflatable basketball into the hoop! It’s great for small children too.

• Pool slides:

Keeping the best for last, these Intex Inflatable Slide and 2 Sprays are so much fun. They are on the pricey side, but users say they are of great quality and kids love it. If you’d rather not spend as much on an inflatable slide, this Swimming Pool Inflatable Waterslide is also a great pick. It’s easy to climb because of its wide steps, and small children will be thrilled with this addition to your paddling pool. We hope you enjoyed the in-depth reviews of our best paddling pools and found the right swimming pool for your garden. Here are quick links to our other summer fun essentials on the site.  If you have all these, you are sure of a picnic or party with the family!

• Best Electric Cool Boxes
• Top Cool Bag Rucksacks
• Soft Picnic Blankets
• Luxury Picnic Baskets
• Easiest Folding Picnic Tables
• Waterproof Picnic Blankets
• Best Beach Tents
• Top Picnic Flasks

Can you think of another essential picnic and summer fun item I must include? If so, drop me a line in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paddling Pools

How to clean a paddling pool ?

If you have a small paddling pool, my advice is to clean your pool every day or every two days at the least. To do this, you must empty it, scrub it with a clean sponge and a bit of antibacterial soap, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry out. If emptying the water isn’t an option because of the size of your pool, consider using sanitiser products regularly, such as chlorine or saltwater. And depending on the type of paddling pool you buy, cleaning it regularly can mean it can last up to five years or more!

How to empty a paddling pool?

The easiest way to empty your paddling pool is to use a garden hose. To do this, submerge one end of the hose in the water, preferably in the pool’s centre. Put the other end of the hose in an area where the water will empty, making sure it is below water level, and give a quick suck on the hose to pull water through. Then let gravity do the job and wait for your swimming pool to drain.

How warm should a paddling pool be for a baby?

If your baby is under 13 weeks old, the water shouldn’t be any less than 32 degrees.

What’s the best paddling pool to buy?

My favourite paddling pool is this Intex Metal Frame Rectangular Pool for the entire family to enjoy. This one’s great for the older kids to enjoy with their parents. And I’m happily floating on my doughnut all afternoon. For smaller inflatable paddling pools, a great option is this Intex Candy Zone Play Centre. It’s such a fun paddling pool for very small children, and my babies can’t get enough of it.

Have you used any of these paddling pools or swimming pools? Then please leave your review in the comments box below. Is your favourite beach cart not on the list? Be sure to let me know in the comments below so I can review it.

Last update on 2025-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.