Best paddling pools for splashy fun and keeping cool in 2024

While temperatures soar all over the UK, a paddling pool is one of the best kids' outdoor toys you can have up your sleeve during a heatwave. Far easier than taking them to the beach, cheaper than visiting the local swimming pool, and with the ability to entertain kids of all ages, the best paddling pools provide hours of fun and can easily last until your children outgrow them.

With the cost of living meaning many Mumsnetters are looking to save money on trips and holidays this year, a few carefully selected outdoor buys can help you make the most of your staycation. Whether you're considering which is the best trampoline for your garden, or you're looking for the best hammock to relax in - we've got you covered. Drawing on authentic reviews from real UK parents, our writers are committed to including only the best products in our Swears By round-ups.

When buying a paddling pool, it’s important not to wait for the heatwave to make an appearance, as paddling pools tend to sell out quickly with significant demand. Instead, buy your paddling pool in advance, stash it away in the shed, and reap the benefit of happy kids this summer before smugly watching others squabble over the last three-ring pool left in the supermarket.

Whether you're after a smaller-sized first paddling pool for babies and toddlers, a fun play pool with inflatable accessories or a larger-sized pool the whole family can enjoy together, we've done the legwork so you don't have to, bringing you the lowdown on the best paddling pools for toddlers and children.

Here are the best paddling pools to buy in 2024.

Best paddling pools - at a glance:

• Best paddling pool overall: Bestway Steel Pro Paddling Pool | Buy now

• Best budget paddling pool: Swim Essentials Inflatable Paddling Pool | Buy now

• Best inflatable pool: Chad Valley 8.5ft Family Swim Centre | Buy now

• Best quick inflate paddling pool: Bestway BW57392 Fast Set Swimming Pool | Buy now

• Best paddling pool with seats: Intex 6475NP Inflatable Swim Center Family Lounge | Buy now

What to look for when choosing a paddling pool

Paddling pools have come a long way in recent years and have now evolved into full-blown entertainment centres for children of all ages. But there are a few things to think about before you buy one.

• Safety. According to child safety experts at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), young children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. When it comes to using a paddling pool, parents must supervise children at all times, and make sure the pool is drained and packed away after use.

• Age suitability. Checking age suitability is vital when choosing a paddling pool. This will not only determine the size of the pool you end up buying (you don't want to get one that's too small for your children or which they will soon grow out of) but also general safety. Consider whether you have siblings of different ages who are going to want to share too.

• Pool size. Paddling pools are a great way for kids to have fun at home, but you'll need to consider how much outdoor space you actually have before investing. There are a range of paddling pools to suit all kinds of spaces, whether that's a small terrace or a sprawling garden.

• Garden suitability. Consider whether you have a suitable space to lay your paddling pool. Ideally, they should be on a flat surface, but you may want to avoid putting one on the patio in case your child was to slip or fall. A flat lawn is ideal, but if your garden is on a slope, you may prefer to take advantage of the benefit of gravity with a water slide instead.

• Paddling pool lining. Budget-friendly paddling pools can be a great option for those not wanting to (ahem) splash out, but cheaper products often mean low-quality materials that are more likely to tear. For babies and toddlers, this might not be a problem, but for older children likely to play boisterously in the water, you may need something a little more sturdy that won't fall apart after a handful of uses.

• Versatility. If you want to get the best value for money, you may want to consider pools that have multiple uses or additional accessories, such as the ability to use as an indoor ball pit. Does the paddling pool come with any extras such as inflatables or slides? These can often prolong the play and work out better value for money, particularly for younger children.

• Sunshade. For younger children and babies, you may want to consider a paddling pool that offers the addition of a canopy or sunshade, helping to protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It’s also worth remembering you should still avoid the midday sun where possible and regularly reapply sunscreen when your children are getting wet.

• Do you need a pump? These days, whilst a small number of paddling pools can be blown up via mouth, it's far more efficient (and much less tiring) to use a pump. If you don’t already have one, you may need to factor this into the purchase price.

• Set up and ease of emptying. How easy is the pool to set up and inflate? Whilst the majority do, not all paddling pools come with a drainage valve, which can make them quite challenging to empty. It’s worth not only considering the speed of inflation but also how long the pool takes to fill and how simple it is to pack away and store once you’re done.

• Keeping the water clean. If you’re planning on reusing the water, or keeping the pool up for a more significant amount of time, it’s worth considering how you will keep it clean, hygienic and free from debris. Do you need to invest in a cover or does it come with a filter and pump?

What’s the best way to keep a paddling pool clean?

Once all the water has been drained out, get rid of any surplus water by wiping the pool down with a rag or towel.

Use a cleaning solution (this must be at least one part bleach and five parts water, or equal parts vinegar and water, if you're making it yourself) to clean the sides of the pool. Use a scrubbing brush or broom to make this easier. Bacteria and algae can create slippery sections, so make sure you pay particular attention to those when cleaning.

Once cleaned, quickly rinse the paddling pool with a high-pressure hose.

What size paddling pool should I choose?

The size of the paddling pool you purchase will very much depend upon who is going to be using it. For a baby or toddler a shallow, small pool such as the Chad Valley 3.9ft Unicorn Baby Paddling Pool is often the best bet, but you may want to invest in a larger, deeper pool for older children or for the whole family to enjoy. Larger pools do take much longer to fill however, so you may find on a really hot day the smaller size is perfectly sufficient.

What types of paddling pools are available?

As you can see from our list of best paddling pools, there are lots of different styles of paddling pools to choose from. The most obvious types include:

• Small 3 ring inflatables (with or without a sun canopy) - best suited for babies and toddlers

• Large, deep paddling pools - coming in a variety of sizes (round or rectangular) but normally suitable for older children and families to share

• Play pools - normally shallow, these paddling pools offer additional accessories such as inflatables, slides or water sprays

• Solid shell paddling pools - designed to be a more permanent fixture in your garden, these solid-walled paddling pools often come with a filter and pump to keep your water free from dirt and debris

Do paddling pools come with a pump and repair kit?

Most paddling pools do not come with a pump (some do!), so check you already have one before promising your children an afternoon in their brand-new pool. If you don't own a pump, they can be bought for as little as £10.

Does your pool also come with a repair kit? After all, paddling pools can puncture, so having tools to hand for a quick fix is always useful. Most of the pools on our list come with a repair patch included, but for extra peace of mind, look out for hard-wearing, puncture-free materials to ensure your paddling pool stands the test of time.

What age can babies go in a paddling pool?

Officially, there is no specific minimum age at which you can use a paddling pool with a baby, however, your child must be supervised at all times. Many paddling pools are recommended for babies aged one year or above, but you may wish to dip your babies' feet in and allow them to splash in the water.

It’s worth remembering to stay in the shade and avoid the midday sun due to babies’ sensitive skin and carefully consider the water temperature, ensuring it’s not too hot or too cold.

What temperature should a paddling pool be?

For a baby under three months, 32 degrees is recommended, but even older babies can lose heat very quickly. Test the water yourself to make sure it feels warm and don’t let them stay in too long at one time. About 20 minutes is ample.

Have plenty of warm towels to hand too so you can get your baby dry and dressed quickly afterwards.

How to empty a paddling pool

The best way to empty a paddling pool is by using a garden hose - you'd be surprised how much water you can siphon out using this method, and how easy it is.

Submerge your hose in the water until it fills completely, leaving no air bubbles. Pinch each end of the hose so that no water seeps out. While still pinching, take one end of the hose out of the water, carry it to the appropriate drain location, and then release your fingers so that the water drains out.

What's the best paddling pool to buy?

You’ll need to pick a pool that’s suitable for the age of your children and, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all option here.

But we think the best paddling pool to buy for families is the Bestway Steel Pro Paddling Pool. It will last a good few years, feels really robust and once it's filled you can leave it up all summer. Brilliant fun for a gang of school-aged kids on a hot summer’s afternoon.

How we chose our recommendations

Products tried and tested by real parents

Mumsnetters know only too well how a good quality paddling pool can provide hours of entertainment during the summer months, so first up, we headed to the Mumsnet forums to read about genuine real-life experiences from our users. We researched the pools they have bought and loved, and features that Mumsnetters felt mattered most when purchasing paddling pools for their children. We also looked out for any bad experiences, including the pools they found hard to inflate, that burst easily or were generally of poor quality.

Bestsellers and expert guidance

We want to ensure all the products we recommend are fit for purpose and good value for money, so we extensively analysed the bestselling paddling pools from reputable brands such as Intex, Chad Valley and Bestway, to ensure they were well-regarded and trusted within the industry. We also considered advice from experts surrounding pool hygiene and the steps involved in keeping a paddling pool clean on a more long-term basis.

Authentic consumer reviews

Finally, we trawled through a significant number of online reviews on retailer sites such as Argos, Amazon, Asda and Smyths Toys to research wider consumer experiences of the pools on our shortlist, looking out for any criticisms, weaknesses or factors you may want to consider when selecting the right paddling pool for your family.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.

Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.

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