Nothing says “summer fun” like a swimming pool. While built-in and large above-ground installations can be expensive, there is a great cost-effective and space-saving option the whole family can enjoy: kiddie pools.
Synonymous with childhood, kiddie pools come in all shapes and sizes, with newer designs even featuring interactive games, slides, and various water features. These pools make great gifts for family and are a great way to beat the summer heat. Here is a buyer’s guide for the best kiddie pools.
Perfect for larger backyards with grassy areas, this larger kiddie pool from Summer Waves is all kinds of fun for kids of all ages – you too, mom and dad! Featuring a floor covered in a vibrant ocean pattern and sea images, this beach-ready motif actually comes to life with the included 3D goggles (2 pairs) – we know, how cool! Measuring 8 feet in diameter, this pool is large enough for kids to practice swimming and suitable for multiple kids and parents to play at once. It also features a gorgeous color scheme that will look great in any space you decide to place it.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
Talk about having fun in the sun! This Candyland-inspired kiddie pool from Intex is a complete upgrade to the traditional design. Featuring a slide, water sprayer, two removable blow-up lollipops, and six balls with ball rails, there’s no way your kids won’t love splashing around in this pool on a sunny day. It might even be fun for you, too, mom and dad! Holding up to 77 gallons of water and featuring a larger footprint, this is great for backyards and multiple kids to play at once.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
Dinosaurs have always been all the rage with kids, so it’s no surprise another popular seller on Amazon is this incredibly cool and interactive option from Intex. Differing slightly in design from the other dino-themed kiddie pool on our list, this style features a large footprint, a volcano slide, a ball toss game, a spraying palm tree, and a cool waterfall feature. Large enough for a few kids to play at once, the wading pool has enough room for 57 gallons of water and is easy to fill and inflate. A repair patch is also included in case a fix is required.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
The Madaxy pool for both kids and adults is large enough to hold multiple people and provide a family with years of summer fun in the sun. The pool features dimensions of 120 x 72 x 22 inches and is made of super-strong and durable materials that won’t pop or burst even when pressure is applied. Although the electric pump is not included, you can buy one here which will slice your blowup time down to 3-4 minutes.
If this pool doesn’t fit your need then you can check out some other smaller pools here that are designed for pets and smaller children. If you are looking for something bigger then I suggest checking out one of these amazing backyard pools.
Want to treat your kids to something with some real wow-power? Check out this water slide from Bouncetech. The Bouncetech Inflatable Kids Splash Pool w/Water Slide is one cool backyard addition that features a large pool area, dual-slides, water guns, and a safe climbing wall. And, as a total bonus, this comes with everything you need to get set up a playing: water park, blower, carry bag, stakes, water hose, repair kit, and instructions. A great must-have for summer, we know your family will love this.
Now while this pool is marketed for adults, it is still the perfect size for bigger kids and growing families. Maybe your family isn’t ready for the commitment of building an in-ground pool in the backyard? Oftentimes, kids grow out of kiddie pools and need something bigger. This pool is great for toddlers all the way up to adults.
The dimensions of this bad boy are 10 feet by 30 inches. It isn’t a MASSIVE pool by any stretch, but it is cost-effective, will fit most backyards, even smaller ones, and is built to last a lifetime. It is 50% thicker than most other inflatable pools which just adds to the value. If you are looking to spruce up your backyard a little more this summer, I suggest adding a more permanent structure to chill out under after pool time is over.
The perfect size for younger kids, this smaller kiddie pool from Step2 is compact enough to fit anywhere. Equipped with a fun and colorful umbrella, three funnel cups, and a spinning wheel, we know your kids will love having some fun in the sun this year. Here’s the best part: the textured bottom helps with traction and the molded-in seats help with sitting. While supervision with younger kids is a must, it’s nice knowing there are some added design features to help keep them upright and stable.
Holding up to 12 gallons of water, or 165 pounds of sand in case you want to get creative, this is a versatile design any kid would love to have. Check out other ways to beat the shade here.
Looking for a bit of an upgrade to the traditional kiddie pool design? This impressive and completely fun addition to your backyard will make you the talk of the neighborhood. The Blast Zone Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park is best for older kids and features a 10-foot waterslide (big! fun!), a huge squirt gun, and a spacious wading area. Measuring 18′ long x 8′ high x 11′ wide this pool requires a larger grassy area, but is big enough for up to six kids to play at a time.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
If you’ve got some little monkeys on your hands, be sure to check out this adorable jungle-themed kiddie pool from Intex. We know they’ll love it, and so will you. As one of the best kiddie pools currently on Amazon, this popular seller is favored for its fun design and interactive set. Featuring two pools in one – a smaller one that leads to a waterslide as well as a larger play area – this kiddie pool also has an inflatable arch, monkey, ring toss, and five balls to play with. The landing mat at the bottom of the slide offers some extra padding, too.
Here are some specifics: 178lb max, the large pool area can handle 130 gallons of water, and the smaller wading pool can handle 15 gallons of water. The air pump is not included, but you can purchase one here.
Featuring a fun unicorn design, this kiddie pool from Intex is perfect for any young kid who’s a fan of these mystical and magical creatures. Great for smaller children, this option holds just 11 gallons of water and doesn’t get too deep when filled. It also features a water sprayer that easily attaches to any garden hose for an element of fun. Perfect for one or two children, this is a great size for any patio or smaller yard. A repair patch is also included in case any fix is needed.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
Kiddie pools with built-in shade? Sign us up! This covered kiddie pool from Intex is the perfect place for your kids to have fun without getting too much sun. The sunshade is completely removable, too. Featuring a colorful design around the exterior of the pool, we know your kids will love it. The pool measures about five feet in each direction and offers a good amount of space for splashing around. It doesn’t come with a pump but you can grab this inexpensive one.
Even at a higher price point than other pools on the list, this pool gets the job done and is relatively inexpensive for what you get. This monster of an inflatable pool can fit 3-5 people and even more if it is exclusively a kiddie pool. If you are looking for a 15-foot pool that will last a lifetime then you have come to the right place. You may not be able to do laps like in an Olympic size swimming pool but you can cool off and relax on your favorite Adirondack or Safari chair afterward.
If you’re looking for the ultimate kiddie pool, the Banzai Wild Waves Water Park is definitely one to consider. Called the “complete water park in your backyard,” this option features all kinds of cool elements like a waterslide, spraying water features, ring toss, and basketball. We know, there’s a lot of interactive summertime fun waiting to happen with this one. Measuring 88″ long x 54″ wide x 50″ high, this is definitely a larger kiddie pool requiring more space to set it up.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
Looking for something fun the whole family can enjoy? Large enough for two adults and three children, this inflatable pool from Homech holds more than 163 gallons of water. Made with thick material for a more durable and long-lasting product, your crew will have so much fun in the backyard with this fabulous addition to your summertime activities year after year. And, the design of the pool, including the colors and material used, helps reflect the sun’s heat so you don’t burn yourself.
The air pump is not included, but you can scoop one up here.
We think this kiddie pool from Summer Waves is incredibly cute and adorable, and we have a feeling your kids will absolutely flip for the inflatable animal design. Featuring a huge giraffe arch, two wading pools connected via a crocodile slide, water balls, and all kinds of brightly-colored decorations, this really is the perfect place for kids to play on a hot summer day. Here’s what else is cool – and totally fun! – about this option: games. Equipped with floating balls and an inflatable ring toss, this really is the epitome of fun in the sun.
The air pump is not included, but you can pick one up here.
There are many reasons to love this kiddie pool from Intex. First of all, the design is incredibly fun. Brightly colored with inflatable sea animals, this is an option to love. Secondly, the interactive qualities. This is one of those kiddie pools that’s completely fun for kids with a featured slide and ring toss game. And, finally, it’s shallow, meaning it’s safe for kids to paddle and play. Sounds great, right? It’s also at a great price point and can accommodate multiple kids at once.
The air pump is not included but we found some great options to choose from. Check them out here.
Summers and watermelon go together like peas and carrots, so if you’re looking for kiddie pools that scream sunshine and fun, check out this watermelon-inspired option from Xflated. Measuring 45″ in diameter, this brightly colored pool is a great inexpensive model perfect for smaller spaces and patios. While lacking in frills and special add-ons, it’s a solid well-rated choice on Amazon. It even comes with a great patch for any small holes or tears that happen along the way.
Get an air pump to make light work of filling this pool.
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs, right? Seriously fun and interactive, this kiddie pool from Intex is definitely one of the best kiddie pools available on the market. Large enough for a few kids to play at a time, this option features a slide, spraying dinosaur arch, and a small wading pool. It also has a fun ring toss, ball toss game, inflatable animals throughout, and the dino arch easily attaches to a garden hose. Keep in mind the pool is quite large, measuring almost 6′ x 5′, so you’ll want to make sure you have a large enough space for it.
Looking for budget-friendly kiddie pools? Be sure to check out this cute option from Intex. Perfect for smaller patios and backyards, this petite pool is ideal for younger kids. While lacking some of the bells, whistles, games, slides, and interactive features found with other models, this pool has loads of five-star reviews on Amazon. It’s also made with durable vinyl that’s built to withstand a little rough play from kids, but, even if it does tear or rip, at such a great price, it’s completely worth it.
Well-reviewed, and constructed with durable vinyl that won’t rip. This super inexpensive option is great for babies, but if you have bigger kids at home, then you’ll want to check out the larger version of this pool. The color and fun this pool will add to your home will add years of amazing memories with your kiddos. Even if you can only get a few short months of use out of this pool, that is certainly long enough to get a return on your investment. At a low price and with tons of great reviews why wouldn’t you invest in a pool like this for your kids?
If you’re short on space, this kiddie pool is an awesome choice regardless of which size option you decide to go with. In between uses you can easily fold it down to a size that’s no bigger than a large shopping bag. It has a spring steel frame that provides stability and is made of a super durable material that won’t tear or leak. This is an ideal tool to help teach little kids how to swim and give them the confidence they need to one day jump in the big pool all on their own.
Whether you have a house with a big yard or an apartment with a small patio, your kids will love cooling off in one of these awesome kiddie pools this summer.
