Upgrading from toddler splash pool = what??

[mart242]

I'm not too sure if this should be in the parenting forum or here... so I'll put it here for now.

My son (turning 4 in september) has outgrown his inflatable "shark" pool which appeared big on the box but it's just a photoshop for marketing so I need something slightly bigger. The nice thing with that small pool is that we'd fill it in the morning and drain it at night so it was always nice clear warm water because it would heat quickly..

That doesn't appear to be the case with the larger size ones. Some of them are quite large (10' x 6' x 2'). Filling one of those must take a long time and it must take a few days for the sun to heat it up so I guess you can't empty it every night... but they've got no filter so it must be a mosquito / west-nile pool after a few days... am I wrong?

Do I need to go with a small one that has a filter then? I'm not too keen on having a small pool that I'd leave outside all the time because that means that my son couldn't play outside by himself because they are only 2' high and could end up falling in it (yeah yeah, tell him to stay away but with a pool, I'd rather be more careful).

So, what should I do if I need something larger than the small splash pools? :confused:

[kellya]

Well we just went out and bought one of those inflatable pools that are on sale at Canadian Tire this week. It's 12ft diameter and 30" high (26" of water) It was $60 reg $100. We are just filling it up now (the hose has been running for about 2 hours now) We are going to be getting a solar cover for it. It has a filter so you leave the water in obviously.

We have a 6, 4 and 15 month old so a regular kiddie type pool wasn't going to cut it. We didn't want to invest in anything huge though because we are moving. This type of pool made the most sense for us...but you are right, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the kids out there by themself with it out there. I'm not sure that there is an option though between what you have and this type of pool.

Kelly

[Mattones]

I remember having those semi large blow up pools. Biggest pain was getting grass in it from going in and out.

[mart242]

We have a 6, 4 and 15 month old so a regular kiddie type pool wasn't going to cut it. We didn't want to invest in anything huge though because we are moving. This type of pool made the most sense for us...but you are right, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the kids out there by themself with it out there.

50$ pool, 500$ fence to go with it. :| Unless you want to always be outside when the kids are playing (which is annoying..)

[kellya]

50$ pool, 500$ fence to go with it. :| Unless you want to always be outside when the kids are playing (which is annoying..)


Yup, that is very true...and we are outside whenever the kids are.We had to be outside though when we had the kiddie pool too though - it was kept full all day and they could have drowned just as easily in 8" of water as 26"

Maybe would one of those sprinkler pads work for your son? He would get to cool off but it would avoid the whole pool issue. I just don't know that there is a solution between kiddie pool/bigger pool because when you get bigger than a kiddie pool it just doesn't make sense to empty it all the time.

Kelly

[3weddings]

It is a difficult decision, but going with any type of standing water in your yard requires much attention.

We used to put the small pools out, early in the day like you, but then the kids would want to play on the jungle gym and I didn't have time to be out there ALL the time with them for that. So away went the pools.

I find that the sprinkler cools them off just as well is isn't standing water when I am not around, kwim? If they want to play with pool toys, a laundry bucket filled and easily dumped out served the purpose well.

I am lucky now, they are older and we head the the splash pad behind our house often now.

[mart242]

Yup, that is very true...and we are outside whenever the kids are.We had to be outside though when we had the kiddie pool too though - it was kept full all day and they could have drowned just as easily in 8" of water as 26"

With the kiddie pool, it's not filled up all the time so it makes it easier for us.

I found a 6' wide x 22" deep pool. It's far from "big" but at least it's deeper so he can do a bit more with it (compared to the usual 10" high ones). But yes, we have to be outside with him all the time when the pool is filled, just in case.

[sovexxed]

I've had a few of the above ground pools over the last year. Went through 2 inflatable ones. They weren't as durable. Plus the slightest grading will cause the pool to tip so your yard has to be fairly level.

Bought the metal frame pool from Costco. Yes, its probably bigger than what you want (I think Wal-mart and Canadian Tire both sell a few different sizes). These pools come with a pump which I run every day. Plus you'll need some chemicals but most pool companies can give you advice as to how often and how much to put in. Took 2 days to fill it but the kids have been in it non-stop for the last few weeks.

Take it down at the end of the season, store it and put it back up next year. No need for a yearly purchase of pools. Plus the liner is more durable than the inflatable and will last longer.

Well worth the price I paid to see them enjoy it so much....