10 Best Non-Toxic Pools and Splash Pads for Kids
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Our Favorite Non-Toxic Kiddie Pool:
The POOL BUOY inflatable kids pool holds the top spot on our list. It is free from nasty chemicals, and it looks SO cute! My favorite print is the Luigi Lovegood, but there are several others to choose from that are also adorable!
Our Favorite Non-Toxic Splash Pad:
The MINNIDIP Citrus Wave Splash Pad is our top contender for non-toxic splash pads. MINIDIP leaves those nasty phthalates out, and keeps the cute summer patterns in!
Why Non-Toxic Really Matters?
On a hot summer day, what’s better than some backyard fun with your littles?! Plastic kiddie pools have been popular since their debut in the 1950’s, and for good reason! They are a convenient, alternative pool option for families without in-ground pools. And they are especially great if you have younger children.
But have you ever thought of what an inflatable pool is made from? If you’re searching for non-toxic kids pools, chances are you have! Let me be the one to tell you that the vast majority of inflatable pools are made using chemicals you don’t want anywhere near your children! And considering the fact that your child’s skin comes in direct contact with this material, and the sun leaches the chemicals from this material right into the kiddie pool water that they are splashing in, I’d say choosing a non-toxic option is very important!
Many products today, including food containers, household items and children’s toys contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates. Phthalates are invisible, odorless endocrine-disruptors, meaning that they interfere with your body’s natural processes for hormone secretion and regulation - and you can’t see or smell them to realize what’s happening. Exposure to phthalates is especially dangerous for children, because it can cause thyroid problems over time and even scarier, early puberty. When a child enters puberty earlier than they would have naturally, from this frequent exposure to endocrine disruptors, their risk for mental health issues and reproductive cancer increases. And that is the last thing our babies need!
What Can We Do?
As parents and protectors, we try to shield our children from these toxic chemicals as much as possible. In today's age, it is nearly impossible to entirely remove the exposure and health risks to our children - we would drive ourselves bonkers if we tried. BUT we do have the power to minimize their exposure by selecting non-toxic products everywhere we can! And that brings us to kiddie pools and splash pads!
There are many great inflatable pool and splash pad options on the market today that are BPA-free and made from phthalate-free PVC. While there are surely chemicals in all products containing soft plastics, knowing that they are at least free from phthalates and BPA gives me some peace of mind. By choosing safer plastic options, we are minimizing their exposure, and thereby their risk, and every little bit counts!
We put so much love and effort into creating memories for our littles - and I wish we didn’t have to think so much about what’s in the products that companies are marketing towards them - but we do. That is why I have compiled a list of kiddy pools I would feel comfortable putting up in my own backyard for my daughter to play with. Because summer fun shouldn’t automatically mean phthalate exposure, and it certainly shouldn’t mean loads of stress for you either!
Here Are Our 10 Favorite Non-Toxic Inflatable Kiddie Pools and Splash Pads for Littles!
1. POOL BUOY Inflatable Pool in Luigi Lovegood
In the number one spot on our list, the POOL BUOY, in Luigi Lovegood. This inflatable pool checks our boxes for being BPA and phthalate free, and is ridiculously cute! This baby pool even comes with a bag for easy storage!
BPA-free
Lead-free
Phthalate-free
Multiple air chambers, so no blow-outs!
(affiliate link)
2. THE COLORFUL CABANA LUXE INFLATABLE POOL by MINNIDIP
THE COLORFUL CABANA LUXE INFLATABLE POOL by MINNIDIP screams summer fun! The shape of the pool is so unique and the alternating patterns they use in this print is my absolute favorite!
Phthalate-Free PVC material
Lead and heavy metal-free
Drain plug to release water with ease
Ethically sourced
Ethically produced
3. The SUNNYLiFE Inflatable Kids Pool
This cutesy SUNNYLiFE inflatable pool is perfect for little tots. It comes in either a princess rainbow style or a silly crocodile style, depending on your preference - both are adorable! Like really adorable!!
Made from phthalate-free PVC
Drain plug to release water with ease
4. Mylle Inflatable Pools - Lines
This is another great non-toxic blow-up pool option! It is on the bigger side, so you could lounge in here with your littles if you’re up for getting splashed!
Made from phthalate-free vinyl
Shipping materials are 100% recyclable
(affiliate link)
5. The REBELSTORK Inflatable Pool
The REBELSTORK Inflatable Pool is another great non-toxic kiddie pool option! This company puts out on-trend designs that are super cute and fun for those hot summer months!
Phthalate-free
Lead-free
BPA-free
FSC-approved packaging, extra points for being eco-friendly!
6. The Kidly Label Cushioned Swimming Pool
The Kidly Label Cushioned Swimming Pool is great for endless splashing fun with deep inflated sides!
Phthalate-free
7. The Kidly Label Swimming Pool with Canopy
The Kidly Label Swimming Pool with Canopy is a very cute small kiddie pool option for littles! It has a pool cover canopy, great for protecting your little’s sensitive skin on those hot days!
Phthalate-free
8. The Petites Pommes HENRY 160cm - CALLIE Inflatable Swimming Pool
The Petites Pommes HENRY 160cm - CALLIE inflatable swimming pool is very cute! It even comes in an organic cotton bag for storing when not in use!
BPA-free
Phthalate-free
9. The MINNIDIP Citrus Wave Splash Pad
The MINNIDIP Citrus Wave Splash Pad is a great option if you’re looking for a non-toxic splash pad! Just attach a garden hose for an easy inflate and hours of splash pad fun to beat that summer heat!
Phthalate-Free PVC material
Lead and heavy metal-free
Ethically sourced
Ethically produced
10. The SUNNYLiFE Slip, Slide and Body Board Set
The SUNNYLiFE Slip, Slide and Body Board Set is what kids' summer dreams are made of! It’s slip n slide meets boogie boarding for endless backyard summer fun! I can’t think of a better way to beat that summer heat!
Phthalate free PVC
Didn’t Find What You Were Looking for?
If these non-toxic plastic pools aren’t exactly what you are looking for, there are other safe options on the market! Here are a few tips to guide your search. If you are looking for a hard plastic pool, some easy ways to select a less-toxic option are searching for ones that are BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free and fire retardant-free.
If you are looking for a plastic-free swimming pool, it is a good idea to ensure it is free from harmful heavy metals as well. If you shop with these criteria in mind, you will narrow down the best option for your family, and surely find one that works for you!
And remember, while minimizing your child’s exposure and risk to these harmful chemicals matters, not everything you do has to be 100% perfect and toxin free. There is little these days that is entirely and perfectly non-toxic. I drove myself into a state of constant anxiety and stress trying to eliminate all toxins and risk from my daughter when she was first born.
It took me over a year to realize that this isn’t a sustainable mindset. I eventually figured out that balance is the key ingredient, even in this area. So now, I do my best to consciously select less-toxic product alternatives whenever I can, and most importantly, I remember that my best is good enough (and so is yours!). Just taking the time to research these inflatable pool and splash pad alternatives shows how much you care - and your littles are SO blessed to have you in their corner.
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