The 8 Best Kiddie Pools for Babies and Toddlers to Splash Around In (2024)

byKathleen Felton

Buying Options

Dimensions: 58 x 13 inches

Age recommendations: Not listed

Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Water capacity: 563 liters

If there’s a Goldilocks of kiddie pools, the Evajoy Inflatable Kiddie Pool may just be the one. At 58 inches across (about 5 feet) and 13 inches high, it’s spacious enough to be entertaining for toddlers and school-aged kids, but not so large or deep that you’d feel uncomfortable letting a baby or younger tot play in it. In other words, you can use this kiddie pool in the early years and it can also grow with your family. (Plus, it can fit up to three children at a time, making it a good choice for families with multiple siblings.)

This kiddie pool has three chambers, which many reviewers say makes it a little easier to inflate and deflate, and helps the sides feel a little more supportive. There’s a nice cushioned bottom (especially helpful if you will be using it on a harder surface as opposed to grass) and easy-use drain plug. Reviewers rave about the material, saying it feels firmer and thicker than many comparable products, and less prone to rips. All this, and it’s also one of the most affordable kiddie pools on the market.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 48 x 12 inches

Age recommendations: Not listed

Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Water capacity: Not listed

Hard plastic kiddie pools offer a few benefits over inflatable models: They’re generally more durable and longer-lasting (no need to worry about rips, tears or holes), and the sturdier sides feel more like those of a “real” pool. But hard plastic pools don’t collapse the way inflatable pools do, so they’re much more difficult to store.

That’s why this Bellochiddo Foldable Pool is the best of both worlds. Made of durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) boards, it’s sturdy and easy to set up, with nothing to inflate before use. But it also folds completely flat into a small square, making it a breeze to store.

This pool is designed equally for kids and pets. While this means it’s a little more basic — there are no included toys or accessories, for example, and the floor isn’t padded — it’s also impressively durable. The boards are scratch-proof and tough enough to handle claws, let alone any kid-related damage, and also sturdier than your average kiddie pool. And there are five different size options ranging from a small 32-inch round pool to the extra-extra large size, which is 63 inches across. This allows you to choose the best size for your space, or opt for a larger or smaller pool depending on your child’s age. The more basic design also lends itself well to different uses, like for indoor play or as a ball pit.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 96 x 78 x 28 inches

Age recommendations: 2 and up

Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Water capacity: Not listed

Few kiddie pools deliver more water entertainment than those with a built-in slide, and the Intex Inflatable Jungle Adventure Play Center Spray Kiddie Pool doesn’t disappoint. This jungle-themed kiddie pool has tons of fun, engaging toys including a water slide, inflatable arch, ring toss and balls, guaranteeing hours of play for young children.

A little over 8 feet long, this kiddie pool is substantial; big enough for multiple kids to play in it at once. It’s essentially two pools in one — there’s a smaller 15-gallon pool that leads to the slide, plus a larger “main” pool that can hold 130 gallons. This may be unnecessarily large for a younger toddler alone, but it’s ideal for older tots and school-aged kids, especially if multiple children will be playing in it together.

The downside of all these fun accessories is that there are more components to inflate, as well as more nooks and crannies to keep clean. At $70, it’s also one of the priciest kiddie pools on this list. But many reviewers say they still found it to be worth the money due to the many included activities and how engaging it is for young children.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 10 inches

Age recommendations: 1-3

Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic

Water capacity: 15 gallons

The Grip a Pool Inflatable Baby Pool is one of the most affordable kiddie pools on the market, but you don’t have to worry about it skimping on quality or nice-to-have features. This inflatable pool is particularly good for young kids (it’s recommended specifically for ages 1 to 3), thanks to grip handles on the sides that make it easier to get in and out, as well as a soft, anti-slip bottom. The padded floor is especially nice, since many kiddie pools on the market have a thin base that can be uncomfortable if you’re using the pool on a harder surface.

Made of vinyl that’s BPA- and phthalate-free, the sides of this pool are sturdy and durable, reviewers say. Many like that it’s available in three colors (yellow, pink and blue) and collapses easily, so it isn’t difficult to store.

Though kids will likely outgrow this pool around age 4, the size and shape lends itself well to other uses in the early years. For example, it’s about as big as a standard shower stall, so some families use it as a portable bathtub. It also works perfectly as an indoor ball pit (you’ll have to buy the balls separately).

Buying Options

Dimensions: 4 feet x 4 feet

Age recommendations: 3 and up

Material: Vinyl with alloy steel

Water capacity: 337 liters

Though not quite as large as the family-sized Josen pool below, the Intex Tall Miniature Outdoor Above Ground Frame Kiddie Swimming and Teaching Pool is undeniably a step above the average kiddie pool. At 4 feet by 4 feet and 9.5 inches deep, it’s a little more spacious than most pools on this list. The bigger size makes it especially useful for kids working on practicing their swim skills at home, such as blowing bubbles and floating on their backs.

Note that this is not an inflatable pool: Instead, it’s made of vinyl sides that attach to sturdy foam-padded horizontal beams. As a result, reviewers say it feels more like a miniature version of an above-ground pool than a kiddie pool. Users appreciate how sturdy the fabric is, with many noting that it’s held up over multiple summers without developing tears. (The set does include a repair patch just in case, though.)

Reviewers also like how easy this Intex pool is to assemble and fill with water, as well as the fact that it has a drain plug. And although it doesn’t have any baby-friendly features like toys or a canopy, it may offer more longevity than some other pools on this list because it will continue to be engaging for older toddlers and school-aged children.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 94 x 59 x 22 inches

Age recommendations: Not listed

Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Water capacity: Not listed

While an inflatable pool will likely never replace a full-size pool for the whole family, the Josen Inflatable Swimming Above Ground Pool comes pretty close. The biggest pool on this list, it’s nearly 8 feet long and spacious enough to hold up to four kids and two adults at a time. With 22-inch sides, it’s also deep enough for kids to wade in. A number of reviewers note that it feels much like a “real pool,” which can be especially appealing for families who also have school-aged kids.

Reviewers appreciate how easy this pool is to inflate and deflate. Despite its bigger size, it can be inflated in just a few minutes with the help of an electric pump (though you will need to purchase one separately). There are three air chambers, each with a double-air inflated plug for durability, so it shouldn’t deflate on you while in use. The PVC sides are extra sturdy and feel high-quality, reviewers say, and don’t collapse over time.

Because it’s bigger and can hold more water, it’s even more critical for adults to closely supervise younger children who may use this pool, some of whom may need to be held if the water levels are too deep. Due to its larger size, note that it’s also a little bulkier to store.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 15.75 x 13.62 inches

Age recommendations: 6-24 months

Material: Plastic

Water capacity: Not listed

It may be more splash pad than swimming pool, but the SwimSchool Infant Baby Pool is undeniably one of the best products on this list for infants and young toddlers. The pool fills with a few inches of water, just enough for little ones to sit and splash around in. There are a number of other baby-friendly features, too, such as a built-in backrest to provide extra support for infants still mastering sitting up and an included stacking tower with three play rings. Even better is the removable canopy, which can be easily adjusted depending on the position of the sun, and is made of UPF 50 fabric for extra protection.

Though very engaging for babies and young tots, this pool may not be as entertaining for older toddlers. In other words, you may not get as much long-term use out of it as some others on this list. But if you’re looking for a kiddie pool designed specifically for younger kids, has a canopy and is easy to transport (its small size makes this one perfect for the beach, pool or backyard), this is a great choice. Just remember that even though it’s very shallow, it’s still essential to supervise children the entire time they’re in the pool.

Buying Options

Dimensions: 62 x 62 x 48 inches

Age recommendations: 2 and up

Material: Vinyl

Water capacity: 78 gallons

Though it can take a little longer to inflate, many reviewers say the Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool is worth it for the additional sun protection it provides. The extra-large sun shade can cover most of the pool when the sun is at its highest. But the shade is also removable, so if you’d prefer not to inflate it (say, on a cloudy day) you have the option of going without.

At 62 x 62 x 48 inches, this inflatable pool is decently sized: Families say multiple children and even adults can comfortably fit inside, and there’s room for plenty of water toys, too. The material feels durable and well-made, and the sides are sturdy enough that you can lean against them without collapsing. There’s also a built-in drain plug, making it convenient to empty out the water, and a repair patch just in case the pool develops any holes.

The base of this pool is not inflatable, which means it can feel a little firm depending on the surface you’ve placed it on. Some reviewers note that they opted to purchase non-slip bath pads to make the floor a little softer and grippier.

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