The 10 Best Kiddie Pools for Fun in the Sun

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The 10 Best Kiddie Pools for Fun in the Sun and hope the blog can help you.

Get the kids out of the house and cooled down in these easy-to-install and low-maintenance kiddie pools.

A kid’s perfect summer day equals no homework, a melting popsicle in hand, and a kiddie pool full of water. Affordable and good for hours of fun, the best kiddie pools are sure to keep little ones entertained and cool on hot days. Depending on the pool, adults can take part in the fun as well.

The best kiddie pools are full of features that make them both easy and fun to use. For parents, they are simple to set up, easy to clean, and convenient to pack away. For kids, these pools are brightly colored and include built-in sprayers, water games, and slides. Read on for the best kiddie pools to help the whole family beat the heat.

1. BEST OVERALL: Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: XFlated Kiddie Pool
3. BEST FOR BABIES: Intex Mushroom Inflatable Kiddie Pool
4. BEST FOR TODDLERS: Intex Ice Cream Stand Inflatable Pool
5. BEST FOR ADULTS: Minnidip Watercolor Swirl Inflatable Pool
6. BEST HARD-PLASTIC: Step2 Play & Shade Pool
7. BEST PLAY CENTER: Little Tikes Slam ‘n Curve Slide
8. BEST FOR FAMILIES: Intex Swim Center Shootin’ Hoops Inflatable Pool
9. BEST SPLASH PAD: SplashEZ A to Z Sprinkler Pool
10. BEST FOR THE BEACH: EverEarth E Lite Beach Blanket & Kiddie Pool

How We Chose the Best Kiddie Pools

The best kiddie pools share a few features: They’re made of durable and long-lasting materials, are simple to set up and take down, and are low maintenance and easy to clean. These are the main features we looked for when evaluating pools—they ensure the pool lasts through the summer, at minimum (many will last through several seasons), and will be hygienic to use and store.

That’s a great list of features for the parents, but since the kids will be using the pool, we took them into account, too. The top kiddie pools on our list appeal to kids because they’re just plain fun. Even the simplest options are colorful and bright, but we also included a range of pools with exciting features like built-in inflatable water slides, games, and sprayers to keep kids occupied. Plus, there’s a choice on this list to entertain kids of any age, from babies to teens.

Our Top Picks

Looking for a way to cool down and keep kids occupied through the long days of summer? Little and big kids alike will love splish-splashing the day away in these feature-filled kiddie pools.

Best Overall

Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center

See It

The Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center makes an excellent first impression—this kiddie pool play center looks like fun right off the bat. The inflatable pool is split into two exciting sections for kids 3 and older. One area features a water sprayer and water games, including rings and balls. This area is joined to a larger pool section via a water slide—a major draw for little ones.

Overall, this pool measures 117 inches long by 75.6 inches wide by 52.8 inches tall, which allows two or three young kids to comfortably play (up to six if just used as a sitting pool). This kiddie pool sets up pretty easily, has a drain plug for emptying, and comes with a repair patch in case of accidents. The only item it’s missing is an inflation pump; users must provide their own.

Product Specs 

• Type: Inflatable
• Dimensions: 117 inches long by 75.6 inches wide by 52.8 inches tall
• Age recommendation: 3+ years old

Pros

• Tons of fun for kids with the included water games, sprayer, and a built-in mini slide
• Users report it is durable and lasts through many uses
• Includes a patch repair kit in case of any small punctures or tears

Cons

• Does not come with an inflation pump, which is required due to the size of this pool
• Slide is very small and likely entertaining only for young toddlers

Get the Intex Rainbow Ring kiddie pool at Amazon, Overstock, or Wayfair (with 100 plastic balls).

Best Bang for the Buck

XFlated Kiddie Pool

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While a play center is oh-so-fun, a simple and cheap kiddie pool is often enough to do the trick. This pool from XFlated is very basic and also very affordable. Measuring 45 inches in diameter by 10.5 inches tall, it’s suitable for a couple of babies or toddlers to splash around in (or an adult who really needs to cool off).

The watermelon pattern adds a bit more summer fun to this plain pool (a hamburger and ice cream design are also available). In practical terms, users can inflate this pool with a pump or by mouth. Although a pump is not included, this pool does come with a patch repair kit for any small holes and a bag for storage.

Product Specs 

• Type: Inflatable 
• Dimensions: 45 inches in diameter by 10.5 inches tall
• Age recommendation: Babies and toddlers

Pros

• Easy to inflate and deflate due to simple design and smaller size; a pump is not necessary
• Watermelon graphic makes this basic pool a bit more fun, and 2 other designs are available
• Includes a patch repair kit and a storage bag to make repairs and tidying up a breeze

Cons

• No extra accessories or toys included—this pool is just for wading and relaxing

Get the XFlated kiddie pool at Amazon.

Best for Babies

Intex Mushroom Inflatable Kiddie Pool

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Measuring 40 inches in diameter, this small inflatable kiddie pool is the perfect size for babies and toddlers to splash around in. Its shallow depth and inflatable padded floor make this pool both safe and comfortable, not to mention its mushroom design is eye-catching.

The inflatable mushroom top is adorable, but more importantly, it doubles as a sunshade to shelter little ones’ sensitive skin. Since the shade is supported by air instead of a hard frame, there’s no need to worry about babies bumping their heads. Plus, a removable, inflatable mushroom friend attached to the pool’s edge gives babies an extra playtime pal. A patch repair kit is included.

Product Specs 

• Type: Inflatable 
• Dimensions: 40 inches in diameter by 35 inches tall
• Age recommendation: 1 to 3 years old

Pros

• Mushroom design is entertaining and practical; it’s colorful, and the top doubles as a sunshade
• Pool bottom has inflatable padding to keep babies comfortable
• Inflatable sunshade doesn’t have a hard frame, which makes it extra safe for babies

Cons

• Some users note the structure can lean to one side, even when fully inflated

Get the Intex Mushroom kiddie pool at Amazon, Wayfair, Target, or Intex.

Best for Toddlers

Intex Ice Cream Stand Inflatable Pool

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While a wading pool is fun, it might not keep all toddlers occupied. Consider this ice cream stand–themed pool from Intex to bring more imagination into pool time. It’s a wading pool and make-believe ice cream stand, complete with three inflatable ice cream toys. Toddlers will love pretending to serve their favorite summer treats while cooling down in the shallow water.

This pool measures 50 inches long by 40 inches wide by 39 inches tall and is rated for kids up to age 6. It fits two kids comfortably, and the ice cream–stand structure also doubles as a partial sunshade. Like other Intex pools, this one comes with a patch repair kit. It does not include an air pump for inflating.

Product Specs 

• Type: Inflatable
• Dimensions: 50 inches long by 40 inches wide by 39 inches tall
• Age recommendation: 2 to 6 years old

Pros

• Includes inflatable ice cream toys to encourage imaginative play
• Ice cream–stand design doubles as a sunshade to provide partial sun protection
• Structure inflates firmly without drooping or sagging

Cons

• The bottom of the pool is not padded, so it may not be comfortable on hard decks or rocky surfaces
• Quite small; fits 2 children at a time at most

Get the Intex Ice Cream Stand kiddie pool at Amazon or Intex.

Best for Adults

Minnidip Watercolor Swirl Inflatable Pool

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Nostalgic about homework-free summers spent in the pool? There’s a way to relive that childhood dream. The Minnidip inflatable pool looks a lot like a regular kiddie pool—it’s just adult-size and a little fancier looking. When inflated, this pool measures 66 inches in diameter by 21 inches tall, which is large enough to fit two adults.

The tufted design and watercolor swirl pattern elevate this pool into an “adult” kiddie pool and give it a place on our best inflatable pool list. Other fun patterns are available from the brand as well. There’s nothing stopping kids from enjoying this pool, too—with supervision, of course.

Using the Minnidip is simple. It has a wide air valve for fast inflating and deflating. While it doesn’t come with an air pump, users can use a hair dryer (set to the cool setting) or an air- mattress pump to inflate the pool. It also has a drain plug for easier emptying and comes with a patch repair kit.

Product Specs 

• Type: Inflatable 
• Dimensions: 66 inches in diameter by 21 inches tall
• Age recommendation: 6+ years old

Pros

• Stylish tufted design and modern pattern is well suited for adults
• Large enough to fit 2 adults while keeping to the nostalgic shape of traditional kiddie pools
• Very easy to inflate using an air pump, hair dryer, or air-mattress pump

Cons

• Might be a tight squeeze for 2 larger adults

Get the Minnidip kiddie pool at Walmart, Maisonette, Minnidip, or Target (Blushing Palms).

Best Hard-Plastic

Step2 Play & Shade Pool

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Season after season of roughhousing isn’t a problem for the Step2 Play & Shade Pool, which is made of durable hard plastic. This pool measures 37.5 inches in diameter by 7.75 inches tall. It’s a little wading pool for kids ages 2 and up and has two built-in seats for a couple of little ones.

To add to the fun (and safety), this kiddie pool includes an umbrella with water toys. Attached to the umbrella stand are small water funnels that drip water down to a wheel. The umbrella is sizable, measuring 40 inches across, and it provides a good amount of shade so kids can spend hours playing outdoors.

Product Specs 

• Type: Hard plastic
• Dimensions: 37.5 inches in diameter by 7.75 inches tall
• Age recommendation: 2+ years old

Pros

• Thick plastic is very durable and resistant to cracks and holes, even when kids are rough
• Has 2 molded built-in seats for young kids to sit on
• Comes with a sun-shading umbrella and baby- and toddler-appropriate water toys

Cons

• The umbrella does not tilt, so it may not offer full sun protection all day
• Lacks a drain for emptying the pool

Get the Step2 kiddie pool at Amazon, Wayfair, or Step2.

Best Play Center

Little Tikes Slam 'n Curve Slide

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Larger and more complex than traditional kiddie pools, play centers can provide kids hours and hours of fun. With enough space to splash, slide, and climb, the Little Tikes Slam ‘n Curve Slide will surely be a hit. This large structure is an inflatable water slide with a climbing wall, slide, and wading pool area, complete with a basketball hoop and inflatable ball.

This play center is very large, measuring 168 inches long by 108 inches wide by 84 inches tall. It’s intended to fit a few kids at once and is recommended for children between the ages of 5 and 10. This pool includes everything necessary for setup, including a heavy-duty blower (which runs continuously during pool use), anchoring stakes, a repair kit, and a storage bag.