Do you have young children that love the water? Are they too young and inexperienced for the larger pools?
A safer and more affordable option may be to buy a children’s pool. These can serve to expose younger children to swimming, while getting them used to the water in a safe, shallow and controlled environment.
When it comes to kid pools, there are three basic kinds. There are the shallow, hard plastic pools, inflatable pools, and vinyl lined snapset pools.
The hard plastic pools are by far the cheapest option. You can get a very simple version of these pools for around $10. If you are looking for a more durable or elaborate version, you can expect to spend upward of $40. The more expensive models of these plastic pools may even come with a connected slide.
One of the advantages of these plastic pools is that their price makes them replaceable. If the pool takes beating or gathers significant damage, it is a breeze to simply pick up another. If, at the end of the season, you don’t have a use for the pool anymore, you don’t even need to bother trying to find a place to store it. Pitch it and get another when spring comes next year.
Another advantage of the plastic variety of kid pool is that they have virtually no setup. Once the pool hits the ground right side up, it is ready to be filled with water. There isn’t a much easier option that that.
Plastic pools are typically low to the ground, and quite shallow. This makes them the ideal option for younger kids. They are easy to get in and out, and the lack of depth helps with safety.
The downside to these hard plastic pools is that they are not very malleable. Any bit of bending may permanently bend or even crack the material. This can make them very difficult to transport or store if you are not looking to just toss them at the end of the season.
Inflatable kid pools are another viable option. Inflatable pools can vary in price, but you will likely find an inflatable pool from between $40 and $100. Inflatable pools come in many different styles. The more you spend on an inflatable pool, the more features you will likely get. Larger sizes may come with additional visual features designed to be visually appealing to children.
Since inflatable pools can be folded down when not inflated, they occupy very little space. When they are completely drained and deflated they are very easy to store and transport.
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A downside of inflatable pools is that they do take some time to set up. Every time you want to use the pool, you have to blow them up. Depending on if you have a pump or if you need to blow it up manually, a pool may take up to 20 minutes to adequately inflate.
They also take time to put away. Draining and deflating the pool completely can be a bit of a task if you want all of the air out of the pool.
Inflatable pools are also somewhat fragile. They can easily be torn or punctured, and once they are, repair is difficult and unreliable at best. So, if you are using an inflatable pool, you should be careful of the surroundings and objects around and in the pool area. (Source: DoItYourself)
Vinyl snapset pools are foldable vinyl tubs that hold a great deal of water. These kinds of pools cost between $17 and $30. These pools are easy to set up and easy to clean. They are also simple to store as they can fold.
These are the largest of the three options, so they may be a good option for older kids who are looking for an intermediate step between the smaller kid pools and exploring the larger pools.
For more options and ideas, check out the inflatable pool gallery or see our ultimate swimming pool guide for many more options!
This is an example of a hard plastic kids pool. It is very simple and very basic. They are pretty basic, and the cheaper models do not very much in design or function.
This is a more complex version of the hard plastic kids pool. This one comes with an umbrella and toys. The thicker design on this pool adds to its durability. This pool may last a few more seasons that the cheaper plastic models.
This is a fun version of an inflatable pool, with a whale based design and a water spray feature to add to the appeal.
An interesting fish design for this inflatable pool. It has a roof, helping protect
the little ones from the suns rays while they play in the water.
This is a larger version of the inflatable pool. This is good for kids that are a bit older, or multiple children at the same time. It has a fun and colorful design to make this pool appealing to children.
This is a fun hexagonal pool with a colorful fish design. This pool is perfect for a couple of children. Because this pool is not as shallow as some others, this pool is good for kids that are getting used to a bit more depth of water.
This inflatable pool comes with a number of accessories, making an exiting adventure for a younger child. With a slide and a dragon, the imagination can run wild!
This small roung inflatable pool is perfect for a single young child. For getting them used to swimming, or just being in the water. This is a great starter pool for a little one.
This longer inflatable pool has a fun sun and beach pattern. This pool works to give kids a bit of movement while still keeping the shallow depths, and limited space of a kids pool.
This is a fun shark themed kids pool. It is appealing for children, and safe for little ones. This is a good pool for younger children.
This pool for younger children is colorful and has a fun jungle theme, with a monkey and trees. It is fun and functional, and provides shade for kids as they play.
This colorful version of a round inflatable pool as a material lining the inflatable rings. this lining provides a bit more durability, making it harder to puncture or tear the rings. This can increase the longevity of your inflatable pool
Here’s a simple, classic inflatable pool, with circular rings.
A rectangular inflatable kids pool. These kinds of pools can fit nearly anywhere.
this is a colorful snapset pool. It has soft sides and can hold a great deal of water. This is a great pool to bridge the gap from the smaller inflatable pools to the larger standard pools.
Another example of a soft sided snapset pool. These pools fold up pretty nicely, so when not in use can be stored out of sight. This one has a simple yellow and blue design.
Other Pools And Galleries You May Enjoy:
23 Amazing Small Pool Ideas | 16 Fun Inflatable Pool Ideas | 16 Amazing Pool Slides | 14 Great Above Ground Pool Ideas
