The Perfect Kiddie Pool

Ah summertime is upon us!  Time for a break from school for a couple of months, time for some swimming in the lake close by and pools, and time for all other summertime fun.  Just like most families without pools we try to give the kids a break from the heat with a small pool, running through the sprinkler, or just playing in the hose.

Over the years we’ve gone through more kiddie pools than I can remember.  They all last one summer, and if you’re lucky two.  We’ve had the inflatable ones, and the ones where the water holds up the sides.  Boy are they a pain!  Just a couple of years ago though we got one that indestructible and now we’re set.

Friends of the In-Laws had and old plastic water trough, and they wanted to know if we wanted it for the cattle.  They used it for their kids to swim in when they were little so that gave us the idea to do the same.  Boy is it awesome!  Granted we had to figure out how to keep the water clean so we didn’t have to dump it out and refill it every time.  Thankfully Intex pools are popular now, which means there are small pool filters designed for those pools.  The Intex filters are perfect for keeping the water trough water clean, the Intex pool covers are perfect to cover it to keep debris out, and spa/hot tub sweepers are great to keep the bottom clean.  We also treat the water with a fraction of the chemicals that are used in regular size pools. We are set!

This is the third summer that the boys have been enjoying the water trough to swim in for the summer.  I wish we would have gotten it sooner, but this is better than nothing.

What kiddie pools have you tried?