The best kiddie pools

Some kiddie pools come with a slide, which adds an extra element of fun to pool play. Our top pick for the best pool is the Intex Jungle Play Center Inflatable Pool with Sprayer, which includes both a slide and a sprayer.

The pool area is shallow enough for toddlers to comfortably play, and the slide provides added excitement for the bigger kids. An inflatable giraffe and monkey and five floating balls add to the fun. When we tested this pool, it was an instant hit with my toddler and big kid, and a clear favorite of all the pools we tested.

Performance is important for kiddie pools with extra features like sprayers and slides. "Some of the slides are really cool," Silver points out. "With others, you're not really getting much of a slide."

The slide on the Intex Jungle Play Center Inflatable Pool is sturdy, is steep enough to allow for a good slide down, and has a landing mat on the bottom of the pool. A water sprayer keeps the slide wet so kids slip down with ease. Simply attach a garden hose to the nozzle, which has a handy feature that allows you to turn the spray off and on.

This pool has a lot of different compartments to find and inflate, so setup can take about 20 minutes. However, the result is an adorable jungle oasis with ample interactive water play opportunities. For the price, this pool is hard to beat.

Pros: Good for both toddlers and big kids, includes a good slide, adjustable water sprayer, fun pool toys, large size can accommodate three kids at a time, affordable price

Cons: Many compartments to inflate, pool bottom is a little slippery, not recommended for kids under 2 years old

Little ones love to play in water, but babies under the age of 1 require a different type of pool than older kids. Key characteristics to look for in a baby pool include a shallow area for water and, ideally, a shade to help protect your baby's delicate skin against too much sun. That's why the SunShade Pop-Up Pool is our top pick.

Great for backyard water play, this portable, lightweight pool folds compactly into a carrying bag so you can take it wherever you go — the beach, the park, or to the grandparents. Simply remove it from the case and the pool pops open, with minimal assembly required.

The SunShade Pop-Up Pool is recommended for babies 9 months and older. It has a UV-protected canopy (UPF 50+), which is removable. It has a depth of approximately 7 inches of water at the max fill line. A drain plug assists with water removal.

This noninflatable pool is made of 100% polyester, so it's best to use it on soft surfaces like grass or sand. If you don't have grass, Silver recommends using a pad underneath any kiddie pool. Such pads, made from a similar material as yoga mats, can be purchased at home-improvement stores.

Pros: Designed for babies 9 months and older, UPF 50+ shade canopy, lightweight and portable

Cons: Polyester fabric can tear if snagged on something sharp, not large enough for older kids

A kiddie pool for 2- to 4-year-olds needs to be shallow enough to allow for safe water play, but deep enough to make it fun. Toddlers will love the H2OGO! Groovy Giraffe Inflatable Play Pool's whimsical giraffe shape and bright colors.

The water area of this oversized pool is large enough to accommodate multiple kids without being too deep — measuring in at a generous 8 feet 9 inches by 5 feet 2 inches. For even more fun, a built-in sprayer connects to your hose to shoot water from the giraffe's tail. A drain valve makes it quick and easy to dump the water when play is over.

As with all inflatable pools, an electric air pump is a necessity that is sold separately. Although you don't need to deflate it after every use, Silver recommends storing all inflatable pools somewhere out of the sun. "It's not a good idea to leave a pool out in really hot temperatures because the heat can affect the plastic," he said.

Pros: Shallow pool for toddlers, large enough for multiple kids to play, built-in water sprayer

Cons: Not ideal for small spaces, not recommended for kids under 2 years old

Family-style pools are great for people who desire a pool that's large enough to fit adults and kids while still being affordable. Silver points out that basic oversized pools don't have filters like some of the larger (and more expensive) "quick set" above-ground pools, so they should be drained and refilled after each use. Our pick for the best pool for families is the Sun Squad Inflatable Rectangular Family Pool.

Sun Squad is Target's private label brand of seasonal summer products. At 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 22 inches high, the Sun Squad Inflatable Rectangular Family Pool is huge for a basic inflatable — it holds more than 300 gallons of water. Each of the three tiers must be inflated separately. The two-in-one valve openings accommodate different-size air pump attachments, although larger-size pump attachments work better.

As I was blowing up this pool, my kids squealed with excitement at the sheer size of it. Once inflated and filled, my older child had a blast "swimming laps" and leaping around in the water; he could even use his pool dive sticks. I found this pool to be an incredible value for the price.

Pros: Extra-large size accommodates the entire family, affordable

Cons: Not recommended for kids under 6 years old, may be difficult to inflate if you don't have larger-size air pump attachments

At 4-feet-by-4-feet square and 1-foot high, the Intex Mini Frame Pool is the perfect size for smaller kids to splash and play. The horizontal beams of the galvanized steel metal frame are covered with foam padding for comfort. The durable plastic liner holds about 90 gallons of water when filled and has a plug to assist with draining.

Unlike hard plastic pools, this pool can be broken down for easy and compact storage in the off-season. Setup takes just 10 minutes. This pool must be set up on a firm, level surface, preferably grass.

Pros: Quick to assemble, sturdy and durable, foam-padded horizontal beams for cushioning, holds 90 gallons of water, easy to disassemble and store

Cons: Can only be set up on level ground, metal legs may rust over time, not recommended for kids under 3 years old

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