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The summer is approaching, and with it, the hot and bothered children are begging to be taken to the beach, the pool, or the water park. Too far, too expensive, too time-consuming, or inconvenient to travel? Why not set up a temporary mini water park in your backyard?
An inflatable kiddie pool with a slide can be set up in a few minutes and enjoyed by even the smallest toddlers who don’t yet know how to swim. Although adult supervision is a must when playing around with water of any type, adults don’t need to get in the water with them and can supervise from nearby.
Intex Rainbow Ring
Attach a garden hose to turn on the water sprinkler on the rainbow that arches across the pool, and there are numerous activity options. A ring toss game, a ball toss, and ball roller ramps can be enjoyed with the included inflatable rings and six plastic balls.
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Safety Tips
The most important safety consideration that you should take into account is drowning. Pools do not have to be deep to pose a danger to children. Young children can drown in as little as two inches of water, and most drownings for young children happen when they should not be swimming in the first place. Pools should be covered when not used, but covers are not practical for inflatable kiddie pools on our list. For this reason, it’s best to empty the water from the pool after every use so that children will not be tempted to sneak out to play in the water without adult supervision.
Aside from preventing drowning, draining your pool regularly can also keep harmful waterborne bacteria away. Larger pools don’t have this issue because chlorine can be added, but this is not recommended for inflatable children’s wading pools. This is because the correct amount of chlorine can be difficult to determine, and this pool has no filter to remove particles that could prevent the chlorine from working.
If you use your inflatable pool to host a group of children at a party or playdate, ensure that you review safety rules with the whole group beforehand. Limit the number of children on the inflatable at one time to what the product can safely hold. And a useful skill to have in case the worst happens is poolside first aid.
Finally, if some group members are younger, verify ahead of time that everyone using the pool is potty trained, and if not, be sure they are wearing a swim diaper. The absolute last thing you want to do is have to stop everyone’s fun to clean up an accident and sterilize your inflatable pool!
A Word On Safety
Children should never be left alone or unsupervised around water. Young children can drown in just an inch or two of water, so parents should not allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security because it’s only a wading pool. Most drownings involving young children happen when kids are not supposed to be in the water, so it is important to drain the pool after every use or secure it in some way so your children do not have access to it without your supervision.
Recommended Water Depth
Take into account both your child’s age and the size of the pool when determining what the depth of the water should be. Some of the pools on our list include two separate pools with different depths, and if you’ve got a young toddler using the pool, it might be a good idea to keep the water level in the deeper pool to no deeper than knee height on the smallest child.
Check your user manual for guidance here – some of the pools on our list have maximum capacity lines drawn on the pool, and the manufacturer warns that filling the pool past these lines can result in overflowing.
If you’re unsure how deep to fill your pool, it’s always better to put in less than you think you may need. It’s easier to add more water than drain it partway.
How do You Keep Your Pool in Top Notch Condition?
Keep an Eye Out for Punctures and Rips
If you notice that your pool is beginning to deflate and suspect a leak, the good news is that most of our list has repair patches included. If your pool doesn’t have one of these kits or multiple repair jobs are needed, a few pieces of heavy-duty duct tape should do the trick.
When you locate the rip or puncture in your pool, mark it with a permanent marker or put a small piece of tape next to the spot to find it easily. Then, empty your pool, deflate it, and allow time for the inflatable to dry before you repair it fully. Always read your user manual, too, as the manufacturer may have recommendations specific to your particular model.
Keep it Clean
The best way to keep the water in your inflatable kiddie pool with a slide clean and fresh is by changing it regularly. Drain the water at the end of every day (most inflatable kiddie pools will have a drain plug in the bottom that you need to pull out). Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for insects and bacteria, and your pool can also collect yard detritus such as grass clippings, dirt, leaves, or small sticks. After every use, empty your pool – most of the pools on our list include a plug for easy drainage.
If you plan to use the pool again tomorrow, it should be okay to leave it inflated in the yard, but if you don’t plan to use it again for a few days, it’s a good idea to let it fully dry in the sun before cleaning and putting it away. Once your pool has drained, take a bucket of water, add a few drops of gentle soap, such as eco-friendly dish soap, and get it nice and foamy. Then, scrub your pool’s surface with a sponge or soft cloth.
Ensure you get all the little nooks and crannies because that’s where mold and mildew are most likely to grow. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, give the pool a quick hose down to rinse away any leftover soap, then leave the pool to dry in the sun. The sun is a natural disinfectant, so this is an important step! Once your pool is clean and dry, it’s ready to be stored away for next time.
Your user manual might have specific instructions about what types of cleaners are safe to use, so be sure to check there first. If there are no special instructions, any general cleaner you use in your home should work fine. Spray some on a soft cloth and then wipe the pool down, waiting a few minutes to be sure everything is dry before storing. It’s important to ensure your inflatable pool is always dry before folding it for storage so that no mold or mildew accumulates in the crevices.
A Buyer’s Guide to Kiddie Pools
Space Availability
One of the biggest factors you’ll want to consider when deciding on an inflatable pool for kids is how much space you have available. Measure your outdoor space, then compare it to the dimensions of the inflatable. Pay attention to vertical height, as well – some of the bigger inflatable slides on our list are tall enough to be higher than the roof of a one-story house or garage.
If you plan to put your pool on a hard surface like a patio or deck, consider one of the smaller wading-style pools, as the bigger inflatable kiddie pool with a slide on our list is recommended to be set up on the ground only as they are must be staked down.
Ensure that your garden hose can reach the area you have chosen to use the water spraying features. Other considerations should be whether or not you should place your pool under a tree (pros: it will be in the shade, where the sun will pose less risk of degrading the plastic; cons: leaves, twigs, and other small detritus might fall in the water). You’ll also probably want to make sure there is open space on all sides of the pool so that children running in and out of the water will have space to move around.
Material and Durability
Check the quality of the material used in the inflatable pool. Look for puncture-resistant and durable materials like PVC or heavy-duty vinyl. Reinforced stitching and strong seams contribute to the pool’s durability and longevity.
Safety Features
Look for safety features such as non-slip surfaces, secure valves or plugs, and sturdy construction. Ensure the pool meets safety standards and has proper inflation and deflation procedures.
Easy Setup and Storage
Consider how easy it is to set up and inflate the pool. Look for pools with an air pump or quick inflation mechanisms. Also, check if the pool is easy to deflate, dry, fold, and store when not used.
Additional Features
Consider any additional features the inflatable pool may have, such as built-in slides, water sprayers, sprinklers, or interactive elements. These features can enhance the fun and entertainment value for children.
Water Volume
Another expense to consider when budgeting for your inflatable kiddie pool with a slide is how much it will cost to fill it with water. For safety reasons, changing the water in your pool daily is necessary so it does not become contaminated. Think about how big the pool capacity you are considering is, and then consider how often you plan to use the pool.
There are several pools on our list with a capacity of over 100 gallons, and if you’re planning to use your pool daily, this might make for an unpleasant surprise on your water bill. If you choose a smaller pool or plan to use your inflatable pool only occasionally, then the additional cost of water might not be a big factor for you.
Recommended Age
Consider the children’s ages you’re purchasing the inflatable kid’s pool with slide for. Some of the pools on our list are considerably smaller than others or have a smaller range of activities. A two-year-old would probably have a great time with a slide that is only two feet high, but a seven-year-old may be disappointed.
On the flip side, the seven-year-old would likely be thrilled by a seven-foot-high climbing wall, and similarly big slide, but a toddler might be unable to climb up independently and become overwhelmed by the size. Look at pictures, check out the dimensions, and note the recommended age range to ensure you choose a suitable inflatable pool and slide for the age of the children you’re purchasing for.
How Difficult Is It to Maintain?
Any pool will require some maintenance. An inflatable children’s pool will require less maintenance than an in-ground pool, but it’s still not something that you should just set up and leave for the whole summer. Emptying the pool of its water regularly, cleaning it, and drying fully before putting it away will help prolong the life of your inflatable pool, giving you many summers’ worth of fun.
How Often Do You Have to Replace the Water?
Changing the water in your inflatable kiddie pool with a slide daily is best. Bigger inflatable pools with covers are fine to leave set up for an extended time, as you can treat the water with chlorine tablets. The cover will keep curious kids (and animals!) out of the pool, but a cover won’t work with an inflatable kiddie pool with a slide like the ones on our list. Stagnant water can become a health risk as it can be a breeding ground for insects. An uncovered pool in the yard is unsafe, and a child might get in due to the risk of drowning. Your pool should be emptied and cleaned every day for optimal use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Leave It In The Hot Sun?
Leaving an inflatable pool in the hot sun for an extended period is not recommended. Over time, the sun’s rays can contribute to the deterioration of the plastic, making the pool more vulnerable to punctures and leaks. Setting up the pool in a sunny area for a few hours should be fine, but if it’s in full sun, it is a good idea to deflate the pool and store it inside until the next time you want to use it. If you plan to leave your inflatable kiddie pool with a slide set up for several days at a time, it’s recommended to try and do this in a shady spot.
How Long Can You Keep Water In an Inflatable Pool?
If your inflatable pool does not have a cover, like the options on our list, it’s best to change the water in your pool regularly. Leave it no longer than a day before draining and refilling. Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for insects and become a health risk. There’s also a risk of your kiddie pool with a slide becoming contaminated with bacteria. There is also a safety component – a pool of water might prove irresistible to young kids, and they might try to play in it unsupervised. Changing the water daily and letting the pool dry fully in the sun before putting it away is best.
Are Pumps Included?
No, in most cases, air pumps are not included with an inflatable pool and must be purchased separately. In cases where a kiddie pool comes with the pump included, it is noted in the product review. If you are purchasing an inflatable pool with a slide not on our list, read the product description carefully to determine whether or not a pump is included. Before you purchase a pump, check the size of the hole in your pool to ensure you buy the correct size pump.