A paddling pool is a rite of passage for any youngster. With temperatures soaring to 30 degrees this summer, playing games in a paddling pool is a fun way to keep you and your baby cool.
Inflate your paddling pool, gather some outdoor water toys, clear a spot in your garden, and get ready for hours of fun right at home! Here are some awesome paddling pool games to keep your tots entertained all summer long.
1. Sink or swim
Gather a tub of objects and stand with your toddler next to the paddling pool. Ask them to guess if each object will float or sink, then let them throw the objects into the pool to find out. Keep score to see who can guess correctly the most times.
2. Make a splash
Position your garden slide so the end goes into the paddling pool. Let your child drop their toy cars down the slide—the bigger the car, the bigger the splash!
3. Net a prize catch
Freeze some paper cups filled with water overnight and toss the ice blocks into the paddling pool. Give your child a fishing net and watch as they try to catch the slippery ice. It's great for their fine motor skills!
4. Treasure hunt
Hide waterproof toys or frozen treats in the paddling pool. Give each child a list of items to find and watch them dive and search through the water to uncover their treasures.
5. Sponge relay race
Divide children into teams and place a filled bucket of water at one end of the garden and an empty bucket at the other. Give each team a large sponge to soak in the paddling pool and transfer water from one bucket to the other. The team that transfers the most water wins.
Fancy something different to a paddling pool? Try a splash pad instead
6. Water balloon toss
Fill water balloons and have kids partner up. Each pair stands a short distance apart and tosses the water balloon back and forth. The pair who can toss the balloon the furthest without breaking it wins.
7. Submarine race
Line up small waterproof toys along one side of the paddling pool. Give each child a straw and challenge them to blow through it to move their toy to the other end of the pool. The first toy to reach the finish line wins!
8. Fish for treasures
Shallow-fill the paddling pool and toss in a mix of random items. Stand a few metres away and call out items for your child to retrieve. It's a fun way to practise swimming and following instructions.
9. Race to the finish
Create an obstacle course in your garden. Have your child crawl under a bench, wind through upturned flower pots, and finish by wading through the middle of the paddling pool. Add floating balls for an extra challenge.
10. Singalong splash
Sing favourite songs like "The Wheels on the Bus" or "If You're Happy and You Know It" with actions that involve splashing in the paddling pool. It's a fun way to mix music with water play
11. Flower pot fun
Transform old flower pots into a water-play adventure. Your little ones can stack them high, create towers, and watch how water cascades through the holes, just like a mini shower!
12. Texture Play
This game is great for sensory. Let your kids explore different textures by adding smooth spoons, squishy sponges, and damp flannels to the pool. They can feel how these items change when wet and dry, creating a sensory water-play experience.
13. Sink or float
Let your little ones discover which household items sink or float. They can carefully place items like keys, straws, crayons, or leaves on the water's surface and observe. (Be mindful of small objects!)
14. Bubbles in the garden
Add bubble bath to the paddling pool and see how many bubbles your tots can make. They can also try blowing bubbles for extra bubbly fun!
15. Big balls
Let your child experiment with various balls in the pool. Which one creates the biggest splash? Which rolls or slides the furthest? Catching wet balls adds an exciting twist!
16. Bathtime fun
Bring bath time outdoors by filling the paddling pool with warm water and a bit of bubble bath. It's a relaxing way to unwind while enjoying the soothing sounds of birds chirping.
17. Create a ball pool
Have your child stand a few metres away from the paddling pool with a bucket of balls. Ask to throw the balls one by one into the pool to earn points. They'll enjoy the challenge, especially if you're sitting behind the pool on your deckchair and get 'accidentally' splashed in the process! For older kids, add a hula hoop to the pool to make it more challenging. Can they hit the target and get their ball through the hoop?
Enjoy the summer sun with these paddling pool games that promise endless outdoor fun and cooling relief for your sun loving little ones! Looking for the best paddling pools? Here are 11 of the best paddling pools to keep the whole family cool this summer
Catherine Ballis a mum-of-four and freelance journalist who specialises in parenting and health. As well as writing regularly for Mother & Baby since 2015, her work has appeared in a number of publications, including the Sunday Mirror, the Independent, Top Sante, Closer Online, Metro and Parents.com. She has worked as a journalist for more than 18 years, including more than a decade working as a news reporter.