11 of the best paddling pools to keep the whole family cool this summer

This paddling pool is guaranteed to make waves! Padded with a non-slip base, this adorable Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub keeps your little one safe while bringing all the fun to pool time. We love that it's designed to let you know when the water is too hot, so you can be reassured when they're splashing away. Do be aware that reviewers found it hard to deflate when they wanted to pack it away. It is also quite small, which is ideal for babies, but not great for older children. Reviewers really liked that it can double as travel bath when away, making it useful even during winter.

One reviewer said: "Bought this to go on holiday with. Baby absolutely loved it and thought it was great fun. Was easy to inflate with a pump and easy for baby to sit in. Just a tip for when you want to deflate it, it takes quite a while so don't leave it until last minute if you need to pack it!"

With summer in sight (at last!) this cute, fish-adorned paddling pool will be your next go-to garden accessory for the kids. Made from vinyl material, reviewers were impressed with how easy and safe it is to set up. However, they did comment that it is smaller in size, which might not be ideal for older children (or adults) but does make it a great option for those with limited garden space. We also love that it folds away easily and is compact to store. Some reviewers didn't think it was as durable as others and commented that the material is thin.

One reviewer said: "Super cheap, quick to blow up, seems sturdy enough, fits my two terrors in with plenty of space, folds down pretty small so great to travel with or use in the garden. No complaints here."

This paddling pool doubles as a play centre, with a slippery water slide, raging ring toss game and super fun ball games to keep your children busy in the sun, which we love. Reviewers were pleased that the base includes a landing mat for extra safety, and they liked how the water sprayer attaches to your garden hose to keep the kids cool and hydrated all day long. Some reviewers reported that it deflates after little use which they found frustrating, and others said it is huge and can only be inflated with an electric pump. Overall, the play centre was popular for entertainment and good value for money.

One reviewer said: "The play centre is absolutely brilliant! My 2 year old son is very confident in the water so I wasn't put off by the 36mth recommended age category. He spent all day in this and couldn't wait to get in for a splash about the following day before we had to pack it up and head home. He wasn't too interested in the ring toss, but he loved having races with the balls down the edge of the pool and attempted every which way to get down the slide - front, back, feet first, head first, sideways etc. It does work best with the sprinkler on, but be mindful that the water will be very cold and it's sometimes easier to just let the kids splash about and that will suffice! This is a well made item and we will hopefully have plenty of use out of this if the glorious weather continues"

The whole family can cool off in this fabulous lounge pool and we love that it comes with an inflatable bench so adults can sit back and relax while the kids paddle and splash about. A great way to supervise your little ones. Reviewers were impressed that there are even two cup holders, which is a nice touch - this would be perfect for when you're hosting a mini pool party for your children. It is large and reviewers said it can take up to 20 minutes to inflate and also mentioned that the bench becomes lopsided after it has been inflated for a while.

**One reviewer said: "**Love this pool and got it at an amazing price! Really nice size. Deep enough for my son to play in but not too deep that he struggles, comfy inflatable bench seat for us to sit and relax while we watch him play. Cup holders nice and sturdy, expected them to be too shallow and a little obselite but they're great."

A great paddling pool for value for money, it costs less than a tenner, but we love that it does everything you need for your toddler to enjoy splashing around in the garden. Reviewers noted that it is quick to inflate and also doesn't take long to fill up either. At only 45 inches in diameter it is perfect if your garden is on the smaller side. Some reviewers said it can even be used as a playpen during the colder months, or filled with balls to create a ball pit. Do bear in mind that the base is not inflated so won't be very comfortable for your little one if placed on concrete.

One reviewer said: "Exactly as intended. We wanted a low-cost inflatable pool for our 6-month-old baby to use on hotter days. This low-cost option is ideal, it is quick to inflate and adequate with regards to the size."

There’s a lot of fun to be had with this inflatable play centre, which can be used as a ball pit and a paddling pool at the same time, although the balls are not included. We love the slide and palm tree sprinkler and we are sure your little one will too. With its vibrant and colourful design plus a real focus on play, kids will be able to enjoy this pool for hours. Reviewers commented that it takes a long time to inflate, even with an electric pump, because of all the extra bits, and they didn't think it was very durable. They also noted that it's "not really suitable for kids over about 3 or 4" because the pools are both quite small.'

One reviewer said: "This paddling pool looks great, easy to set up, my kids absolutely love it. Very happy with the purchase. Definitely recommend."

We can't quite get enough of this dino-themed paddling pool which any little dinosaur fan will love. It's the ultimate way to have some fun in the sun, and we like that your little ones can slide and splash alongside their favourite dinosaur friends, plus they can even play with the dino hoops and volcanic ball roller games for extra entertainment. Reviewers did note that it is very large and might not be suitable for all gardens. Supporting a maximum weight of 81kg, it is suitable for older children or multiple children and we love that it has padded side barriers and base for extra safety.

One reviewer said: " It's a massive pool, the dinos are lovely and the sprinkler and ramp to roll balls down are brill, it's an incredible all rounder! My almost-two-year-old had a ball with it! I'd put it over grass not decking or patio as it has a little slide inside it and they skid down pretty fast - you don't want any bruised bums! Good quality, colourful, impressive looking."

Kids will adore the magical unicorn design of this paddling pool, plus we love that it has a built-in sprinkler to keep them extra cool as they splash about. Reviewers also commented on the convenient drain plug when it comes to emptying the pool. While it is not the largest paddling pool, it does require an electric pump to inflate and it does not come with a pump so ensure you have one at home to avoid disappointment on a hot day. Reviewers were impressed with its durability, with one customer commenting, "my granddaughter has really put its durability to the test! Jumping in continuously, putting a slide into it etc. I've left it up for weeks , and it's still fully inflated."

One reviewer said: "This has been very popular with my children and their friends over the Summer. It's so bright and colourful. It's well made. The tail spray is really good fun. Decent size."

A great option for younger children, we love the colourful and playful design, the snail will look so cute in the garden. Reviewers thought the inflatable floor was super comfy and it works well on harder ground like a patio or decking, while the built-in sunshade will keep your little one safe from UV rays. This could even double up as an indoor ball pit when the weather isn’t great. While it is fun for babies and toddlers, it won't be very exciting, or roomy for older children.

One reviewer said: "Bought this for my 11-month-old daughter she loves it. Shade is good and it keeps her relatively contained - or at least takes time for her to climb out. Have been using it as paddling pool but plan to fill with balls to turn into ball pit after as its sides are deep enough for this. Material feels robust and has survived some dog uses too!"

This large paddling pool comes with a pump making it super easy to inflate in just five minutes. At 2.6m it is perfect for all the family to cool down which we love. Made from durable material it should withstand hours of play without annoying punctures, although it does include a repair kit. Reviewers liked that it has a soft inflatable floor to stop sore knees or bottoms when playing.

M&B's Commercial Content Writer, Laura Healy, says: "We have this for our two girls and it is a big hit on hot days. Using the electric pump it can be inflated really quickly, however, it does take a while to fill due to its size. The sides hold up really well despite a four year old and seven year old climbing on them and there is room for all the family if we all want to cool down. It is easy to drain with the plug and it seems to be very durable despite hours and hours of play. It is good value for money because it includes the pump too and it doesn't feel like a paddling pool you will have to replace at the end of summer. My girls love it and it feels like their own little swimming pool in the garden."

Not only will your baby love cooling off in this pool but they’ll be protected from harsh sunlight too, thanks to the overhead sunshade and UPF 50+ protection cover, which we love. Best of all, reviewers really liked the pop-up design which means you won’t have to mess around with fiddly pumps and inflating a pool, as well as the risk of punctures. Plus, it folds away into a 40cm carry bag when not in use so it is ideal if you want to take it on holiday or to a friends’ house and it is easy to store, however, some reviewers found it tricky to collapse. It is not padded though, so it won't be comfortable if used on hard surfaces.

One reviewer said: "We are delighted with this paddling pool purchased for our one-year-old granddaughter. The quality is excellent and so easy to use. We also use it as a tent without water! Thank you."