The Best Kiddie Pools For Kids & Dogs

When you can’t beat the summer heat, cool your kids down in a non-toxic kiddie pool. Our quick reference guide with safer plastic options will help you decide what type of pool to buy before hitting “add to cart”. We found 6 non-toxic kiddie and wading pools that are perfect for fun in the sun!

toddler girl playing in kiddie pool

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When the summer heat is on, your kids and even your dog need to cool down with a dip in the wading pool. Your kids are dunking their heads, taking big gulps of water, blowing bubbles, and generally ingesting large amounts of pool water. This water may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA that have leached from the plastic.

Exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause health issues like diabetes, asthma and reproductive problems. If you want a safer option for a summer wading pool, there are companies that make kiddie pools without harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates.

With kiddie pools, the general rule of thumb is that a pool made of harder, more rigid plastic is a safer option if you worry about kids being exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. A soft plastic inflatable pool is made from PVC plastic, which most likely contains phthalates and BPA. Plastics are labelled with a resin code to identify the type of plastic for recycling, and we’re using this handy resin code to identify which kiddie pools are are best for kids and dogs.

Before hitting the “add to cart” button, familiarize yourself with the plastic resin codes associated with the pool you’re about to buy.

If you see these “safer” resin code options in the product specifications or on the bottom of the pool, then go ahead and add this pool to your cart:

  • Resin Code #2 (HDPE or high-density polyethylene)
  • Resin Code #4 (LDPE or low-density polyethylene)
  • Resin Code #5 (PP or polypropylene)

If you see the following resin codes in the product descriptions or on the bottom of the pool, avoid buying!

  • Resin Code #1 (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • Resin Code #3 (PVC or polyvinyl chloride)
  • Resin Code #6 (polystyrene)
  • Resin Code #7 (if it contains PC or polycarbonate, which can leach BPA)

Note- I have included 2 brands of kiddie pools that are made from PVC, but the manufacturers state that the PVC does not contain BPA, lead, or phthalates. The reason I have included these pools is because not everyone has space to store a kiddie pool made of hard plastic, especially someone that lives in an apartment and is limited with storage space. In this case, a pool that can be folded into a small square after using is the best option.

Beyond choosing a kiddie pool with low levels of toxic chemicals, it’s also a good idea to fill the kiddie pool with a drinking water safe hose with a lead-free nozzle. In addition, choose beach and sand toys with low levels of toxic chemicals.

Look below for 6 of the best non-toxic wading pools for kids and dogs. Get ready for a day of fun in the kiddie pool without the harmful chemicals!

NON-TOXIC KIDDIE & WADING POOLS

Step2 Play & Shade Pool
Cost: Ranges from $99 to $200
Features: This adorable kiddie pool is made from durable hard plastic, and it comes with an umbrella and toddler-friendly accessories. It even has molded seats for lounging! Made in USA of US and imported parts.
Age Range: 2+
Dimensions: 40 in x 40 in x 50 in
Water: Holds up to 12 gallons of water or 74.8 kilograms of sand
Material: HDPE plastic (Resin Code #2). This is the same plastic that milk jugs are made of.
Shop: Step2 Play & Shade Pool

Summer Escapes Wading Pool
Cost: $12.99 & up
Features: This is the ubiquitous wading pool found in so many backyards during the summer months. It’s an inexpensive way to cool down, and even dogs can enjoy it!
Age Range: 3+
Dimensions: Medium (9 in X 36 in), Large (7.9 in X 45 in)
Water: Medium pool holds up to 30 gallons of water, Large holds up to 54 gallons of water or 74.8 kilograms of sand
Material: HDPE plastic (Resin Code #2). This is the same plastic that milk jugs are made of.
Shop: Summer Escapes Wading Pool, Summer Escapes Medium Wading Pool

Tubtrugs Shallow Tub
Cost: $37.90
Features: These handy tubs are safe for pets to eat and drink out of, and they have handles for easy toting. Very flexible can be Twisted and folded without breaking.
Age Range: Best for babies, toddlers and small dogs
Dimensions: 23 in diameter x 6.5 in height
Water: Holds up to 9 gallons of water
Material: Food-grade certified polyethylene. Phthalate-free.
Shop: Tubtrugs Shallow Tub

Mylle Inflatable Swimming Pool
Cost: $74.75
Features: This beautifully designed inflatable pool holds 2 adults or even more kiddos for splashing, playing and cooling down on a hot summer day.
Age Range: not specified
Dimensions: 65″ in Diameter x 15″ H
Water: Holds up to 215 gallons of water
Material: PVC that is non-toxic and free from BPA, lead and phthalates
Shop: Mylle Inflatable Swimming Pool

Everearth Beach Blanket & Kiddie Pool
Cost: $58.10
Features: This beach blanket can be used as a blanket or beach pool. It’s designed to be used at the beach- simply dig a shallow hole, place the blanket on top and cover the edge of the blanket with sand. Fill the pool with water and it’s ready to use! Approximately 1 foot deep.
Age Range: 36 months+
Dimensions: 70.86 in (length) x 70.86 in (width) x 0.19 in (height)
Water: Holds up to 3 gallons of water
Material: TPU material which can be recycled, it is bio-degradable, BPA and phthalate free.
Shop: Everearth Beach Blanket & Kiddie Pool

Swim Diapers For Babies & Toddlers

If your child is not potty trained, remember to put a swim diaper on him or her before getting in the kiddie pool. I love and trust Primary for kids apparel and products, and they carry swim diapers:

Primary Swim Diaper
Cost: $10
Features: Super soft, comfortable stretch and a secure fit for stay-all-day play, this non-bulky swim diaper is made to be worn alone or with a disposable diaper inside. Sustainably constructed from recycled materials and designed with a UPF 50 weave to keep baby bottoms safe in the sun, this gender-neutral go-to is essential for when you need everything to go swimmingly at the pool.
Shop: Primary Swim Diaper

How To Clean A Kiddie Pool

Drain the water out of the pool. Water should be completely drained from the pool after every use for safety reasons and to discourage mosquitos from laying eggs.

Fill a bucket with warm water and a few squirts of dish soap. Attitude Dish Soap does not contain any synthetic fragrance or irritating ingredients. Dip a sponge in the soapy water, then scrub a small section of the pool. Rinse and squeeze out the sponge, dip in the soapy water again and scrub another section of the pool.

Continue scrubbing small areas until the whole pool has been scrubbed, then rinse the pool completely with a non-toxic hose. Let the pool dry out in the sun before storing it.

How To Disinfect A Kiddie Pool

If one of your kids has an accident in the pool or any other scenario where you want to disinfect your wading pool, wash it with dish soap and water first as described above, rinse with a hose, then spray the whole surface of the pool with Force of Nature non-toxic disinfectant. After 10 minutes, rinse the pool with water and let it dry before storing it or using it again.

Force of Nature is on EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. This is my favorite disinfectant, and I highly recommend it! It disinfects & sanitizes with no toxic chemicals and is kid and pet friendly. Force of Nature is a broad-spectrum disinfectant and sanitizer that’s EPA registered for use in hospitals, ICUs, daycares, schools, veterinary clinics, gyms, restaurants & more. It kills 99.9% of germs: Staph, MRSA, Norovirus, Influenza A, Salmonella, and Listeria. How does it work? Salt, water and vinegar are converted to electrolyzed water when an electrical current changes the chemical composition of the solution into two new ingredients.

Child playing in kiddie pool