Best Inflatable Pools For Kids Of All Ages (Babies, Toddlers and Big Kids)
When looking for the best inflatable kiddie pool for your children look at the following features:
Size - Obviously for babies, infants and toddlers you want a shallow, small pool. The pool size that's best will increase as kids get older and bigger. This article suggests inflatable pools for all ages. The largest pools are huge and will accommodate the whole family.
When considering size it's also worth thinking about how long it will take to fill. Obviously the bigger the pool the longer it takes and the harder it is to fill and empty.
Durability - If you are spending a lot on a pool you will expect it to be durable and last more than one summer. Look for pools made out of strong, durable material. Check reviews to see if they've been durable for others. Pools which have more than one air compartment / chamber tend to last longer as if you get a hole in one compartment the rest of the pool may hold up the design and you can see more easily where the puncture is to fix it. If you just have a single air compartment, one puncture can ruin the pool and is harder to find. More expensive pools often come with puncture repair kits which can be useful to prolong the life of your pool too.
Extras - Do you want extra features that come with pools? You can buy pools with sunshades for babies, water sprays for toddlers and inflatable slides for older kids. Look out for extra fun features.
Price - How much do you want to spend? Obviously pools with lots of features cost more. If its something you may be using everyday during the summer it may be cost effective to buy something of higher quality that will last. If it's only used on occasion maybe you don't need to spend too much. More expensive pools should be made of thick durable material to withstand any punctures. If your read reviews of more expensive options look for ones that say they have used the pool over more than one year to make sure you get the most for your money.
Check out lots of ideas of the best inflatable pools for kids of all ranges below.
*Please note as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may get a small commission for purchases made through Amazon links in this article.*
Size - Obviously for babies, infants and toddlers you want a shallow, small pool. The pool size that's best will increase as kids get older and bigger. This article suggests inflatable pools for all ages. The largest pools are huge and will accommodate the whole family.
When considering size it's also worth thinking about how long it will take to fill. Obviously the bigger the pool the longer it takes and the harder it is to fill and empty.
Durability - If you are spending a lot on a pool you will expect it to be durable and last more than one summer. Look for pools made out of strong, durable material. Check reviews to see if they've been durable for others. Pools which have more than one air compartment / chamber tend to last longer as if you get a hole in one compartment the rest of the pool may hold up the design and you can see more easily where the puncture is to fix it. If you just have a single air compartment, one puncture can ruin the pool and is harder to find. More expensive pools often come with puncture repair kits which can be useful to prolong the life of your pool too.
Extras - Do you want extra features that come with pools? You can buy pools with sunshades for babies, water sprays for toddlers and inflatable slides for older kids. Look out for extra fun features.
Price - How much do you want to spend? Obviously pools with lots of features cost more. If its something you may be using everyday during the summer it may be cost effective to buy something of higher quality that will last. If it's only used on occasion maybe you don't need to spend too much. More expensive pools should be made of thick durable material to withstand any punctures. If your read reviews of more expensive options look for ones that say they have used the pool over more than one year to make sure you get the most for your money.
Check out lots of ideas of the best inflatable pools for kids of all ranges below.
*Please note as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may get a small commission for purchases made through Amazon links in this article.*
Inflatable Pools For Babies
Inflatable pools are great for babies as they can not only be filled with water but balls too. When my sons were babies, I used to fill our baby pool with cuddly toys to keep them amused and lots of other types of toys too, from big balls that used to roll around to their favorite toy of the moment. We also used to float our bath toys in the pool. Toys like watering cans are also good to show baby how the water sprinkles.
Other features to consider when buying a baby pool: Do you want a sunshade? This is obviously good to protect a baby's young skin but if you have some shade in your backyard, this will be just as good! |
There are small pools just big enough to fit your baby but if you want to get in with your baby you'll need to consider something bigger!
Inflatable Pools For Toddlers
Its nice for toddlers to have a slightly bigger pool to play in although the depth needs to still be shallow. Toddler pools can also be filled with balls and other toys to play with too.
When buying a pool for toddlers I think it can be helpful to look for one with sides not too high so it easy for them get in and out on their own. Another thing to consider when buying a toddler / baby pool is that if you choose one with soft inflatable sides this will help cushion your child if he or she happens to slip. As toddlers tend to stand up in their pools another factor to consider is the bottom of the pool. If it's too slippery it can be quite easy for them to slip over so something with a non slip bottom can be advantageous. |
Inflatable Pools for Younger Kids / Preschoolers (3 Years and Up)
Preschoolers are aged 3 and up and they like pools a little bit bigger and deeper than toddlers. They also like pools with bigger slides and other cool features.
At this age, my eldest son used to love playing games in the pool too. This website has some great pool game ideas for kids aged 3 to 4 years. My son also liked to play with other children in the pool. His cousins used to come around and play and this used to keep them all occupied for some time (while I supervised and enjoyed the sun!). |
Bear in mind you will need to choose a bigger pool if you want more than one child to enjoy the fun.
The pool featured is a particularly fun pool for kids aged about 3 upwards. It has a splash pool at the bottom and a water sprayer on the slide. There's a climbing wall to get to the top of the slide.
The pool featured is a particularly fun pool for kids aged about 3 upwards. It has a splash pool at the bottom and a water sprayer on the slide. There's a climbing wall to get to the top of the slide.
Pools for Big Kids
Older kids will love an inflatable with water slides and more.
The pool featured is great for lots of kids to play together and for different age ranges too. With two slides, its also a perfect choice for when friends come around to play. There's a climbing wall with grab handles and a surprise dump bucket to add to the fun. If you are going to buy a inflatable pool, they can be expensive so it's worth considering what you get as part of the package you are buying. For example : Does it come with it's own blower / pump? Many of these pools have a blower included so it's not an extra expense. |
If you want something a bit bigger, consider the Blast Zone Crocodile Island Inflatable.
It inflates in seconds with a blower included. Again it has two slides but also has a large pool at the bottom too. It's large enough to accommodate several kids at one time which is great for summer birthday parties. It has two water sprayers at the top of the slides and a climbing wall to get up to the top. At the top of the climbing wall there is a lookout platform where they can lounge about for a while or zoom down the slides straightaway. |
Because the climbing wall is inside the pool, kids don't have to keep going out of the pool to get to the top of the slides. This means that less dirt and grass get into the pool water which is a bonus.
It looks brilliant, kids will love it!
It looks brilliant, kids will love it!
10 Awesome inflatable Pools
There are many inflatable pools available to meet the age, requirements of children and their families. Check out some more awesome options of inflatable pools below.
Intex easy set pool with filter pump
The Intex easy set pool comes in a range of different sizes from 8 foot to 18 foot.
It needs to be placed on a flat piece of ground to set up. Super easy to set up. Inflate the top ring and fill the pool to enjoy. A 110-120 volt filter pump is included and is very easy to install - just hook up the hoses and enjoy clean refreshing water. |
Little tikes slam n curve slide
This is a super fun climbing wall, slide and splash pool set up that can be used by up to 3 kids at a time. The splash pool is roomy and there is also a basketball hoop with inflatable basketball for extra fun.
Again it's super easy to set up. It needs to be firmly anchored in the ground but will inflate with the included blower in less than one minutes. Then just fill with water. It folds compactly for easy storage and it comes with a carry bag to store it in too. |
Blast Zone Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park
The Blast zone hydro rush can accomodate up to 6 users at a time.
Kids will love climbing up the wall, going down the slide. There is a water canon to splash other riders for extra fun. Set up is a snap. Just unroll the inflatable. Stake it into the ground. Attach to the blower and it will inflate in under 2 minutes. Fasten on the sprayer system, hook up to a garden hose and you are all set for fun. Built-in flow restriction helps minimize water use. |
Intex Swim Center Family
This is a great pool for kids but big enough for adults to have a dip as well.
It measures 103" x 69" x 22". You need to set it up on ground level. There are 2 air chambers and you will require a pump to fill it. You can buy and intex pump to do the job. |
sprinkler splash pad
Babies (from 12 months) and small children will love this splash pool.
Just connect to a garden hose to start the splashing fun. Little kids will love splashing around in the water to cool down. The splash pad features also includes a reminder of all the letters in the alphabet for educational value as well. |
Intex Dinoland Play Center
A super fun option for kids aged 2 plus. There's lots to keep little ones engaged.
Keep cool with the movable Dino Arch water spray which attaches to a water hose Have fun with the included soft slide with a landing pad It's bright and colorful to be attractive for kids. A great pool to keep little ones cool in the summer sun. |
intex metal frame pool set
The metal frame swimming pool is 10 feet by 30 inch
It comes with a filter pump. The water capacity is 1,185 gallons It does take a while to fill with a garden hose so it may be worth considering having a cover and a chlorine dispenser so that you don't have to keep refilling the pool. Awesome for lounging around with older kids and adults. |
bestway metal frame pool
Another option of steel frame pool which is great for the whole family and should last for years.
It measures 18 x 79 x 26 inches and has a capacity of 871 gallons. There's a flow control drain valve for easy draining, so water can be drained away from the pool area. Reinforced rope wraps around the bottom of the pool liner to keep the legs firmly in position |
intex baby pool
blast zone inflatable water park
This pirate themed inflatable water park is the ultimate for children for summer fun!
It features a fun pirate theme with dual water cannons and crawl tunnel. There's a mini bouncer with safety netting. A slide and spacious splash pool. It comes with stakes and a blower. The set up is quick for hours of play afterwards. |
The built in flow-restriction helps minimize water wastage, while reinforced stress areas assure a long life for this play worthy vessel.
It come with a breathable storage case as well.
It come with a breathable storage case as well.
What Else Should I Consider?
Is there a warranty? - I would think a warranty is essential. You don't want to use it once and then it fails to deflate again and have no warranty. It just give you that extra piece of mind.
Reviews - Read the reviews for the product to make sure it's off the quality you expect.
How long does it take to inflate/deflate? - Many of these pools with inflate within seconds to a couple of minutes so you don't have to spend hours setting the pool up. So check that yours does.
They are expensive so if you have a group of friends, neighbors or relatives you could always consider sharing the cost and your kids can share the pool on sunny days.
Reviews - Read the reviews for the product to make sure it's off the quality you expect.
How long does it take to inflate/deflate? - Many of these pools with inflate within seconds to a couple of minutes so you don't have to spend hours setting the pool up. So check that yours does.
They are expensive so if you have a group of friends, neighbors or relatives you could always consider sharing the cost and your kids can share the pool on sunny days.
Caring For Your Inflatable Pool
Obviously you want your pool to last as long as possible so there here a few tips for caring for your pool:
Where possible, find a piece of grass in your backyard to place your pool. Avoid cement. Make sure there are no rocks, twigs or branches to prevent any punctures. A tarp underneath will mean even less chance of puncture, although the material used to make a more expensive inflatable is likely to be thick and heavy to withstand any piercings. The spot where you place your pool should be level on not on a slope.
Keep sharp objects, tools and any pets away from the pool to decrease the risk of puncture.
Cleaning - Smaller pools should be given Give a quick clean after each use. This shouldn't take long. A quick hose down with to get rid of leaves, grass and dirt will be fine.
A larger inflatable pool normally come with a filter system to keep it clean. Regularly check any filters to make sure there are no leaves, debris or other objects blocking it.
Storage : Store your pool in a place out of the sun.
Where possible, find a piece of grass in your backyard to place your pool. Avoid cement. Make sure there are no rocks, twigs or branches to prevent any punctures. A tarp underneath will mean even less chance of puncture, although the material used to make a more expensive inflatable is likely to be thick and heavy to withstand any piercings. The spot where you place your pool should be level on not on a slope.
Keep sharp objects, tools and any pets away from the pool to decrease the risk of puncture.
Cleaning - Smaller pools should be given Give a quick clean after each use. This shouldn't take long. A quick hose down with to get rid of leaves, grass and dirt will be fine.
A larger inflatable pool normally come with a filter system to keep it clean. Regularly check any filters to make sure there are no leaves, debris or other objects blocking it.
Storage : Store your pool in a place out of the sun.
Keeping the water in your Pool clean
It can take a while to fill up some inflatable pools but there are ways to keep the water clean so you don't have to fill it up everyday.
A Cover: If you have a pool which takes a long time to fill and it is the right shape, you may want to get a cover for your pool. You can over it overnight, keep the twigs, leaves, debris and insects out. Then remove the cover to use again the next day.
Chlorine Tablets - there are chlorine tablets you can use in inflatable pools which will prevent algae and improves the clarity of your water. You place the chlorine tablets in a dispenser so you don't have to change the water everyday.
A Cover: If you have a pool which takes a long time to fill and it is the right shape, you may want to get a cover for your pool. You can over it overnight, keep the twigs, leaves, debris and insects out. Then remove the cover to use again the next day.
Chlorine Tablets - there are chlorine tablets you can use in inflatable pools which will prevent algae and improves the clarity of your water. You place the chlorine tablets in a dispenser so you don't have to change the water everyday.