splashing in paddling pool
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We finally break out the paddling pool

Last year poor N just had a water table and a paddling pool, which was a cheapo circular one that was mainly used as a ball pit.  With our outdoor water tap being in the lodger’s side of the garden, filling a paddling pool via the kitchen sink and watering cans takes forever.

But at the end of last summer I did but him a frame paddling pool.  It’s not the biggest, but it’s plenty big enough for him and any friends who might pop over.

The other week I finally suggested we set it up.  We went round to ask the lodgers if we could borrow their hose but they weren’t in so we said hi to the dogs and dragged it over our side of the garden.

filling the paddling pool

N was keen to fill the paddling pool himself, so gave it a go.  I think it took too long for his liking, so gave up pretty quickly.  Luckily, he was happy enough not to have much water in the paddling pool, so we didn’t have to keep filling.

padling-pool. (1)

I offered to let him play in it in his pants and t shirt , but he wasn’t having any of that.  Instead we had to put on his swim shorts and top. Ridiculously, his age 3-4 swim shorts come up really small, so they’re really too tight for him.  Annoying when he’s only worn them twice, but hopefully we’ll get away with them til the end of the summer.

paddling pool

N was keen to fill the paddling pool himself, so gave it a go.  I think it took too long for his liking, so gave up pretty quickly.  Luckily, he was happy enough not to have much water in the paddling pool, so we didn’t have to keep filling.

I offered to let him play in it in his pants and t shirt , but he wasn’t having any of that.  Instead we had to put on his swim shorts and top. Ridiculously, his age 3-4 swim shorts come up really small, so they’re really too tight for him.  Annoying when he’s only worn them twice, but hopefully we’ll get away with them til the end of the summer.

buckets in the pool

splashing water

We don’t have any shade in the garden so I got out one of my umbrellas in the hope of having at least one shady part of the pool.  N had other ideas for its use.

Still, N had a lovely time playing in it.  Only 3 days later it’s got no water left in it though, as the father in law moved it for mowing the lawn and tipping it out…not great.  N wasn’t happy but hopefully we’ll be able to fill it up again before the end of the summer’s out

Do you have a paddling pool, or visit the swimming pool regularly?

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31 Comments

  1. Just a thought, have you considered a shade sail – Perfect for summertime sun protection.

    Nice too that you can remove for the colder, sunless days

      1. The actual sail can be taken down (many designs just unclip) and folded up, make sure it is dry though.

        The fixing supports are a different matter though I accept.

        Many times the fixings are made to already standing structures like walls and things.

  2. We always go to the local pool so swim and we live near the beach but I always wanted to buy one of those. I just dont have time to tackle the buying as my cup if a bit full at the moment. Hopefully I can get one before summer vacation and the season will end =) #magicmoments

    1. Or wait until the end of the season and get a bargain price which is what I did last year. So lucky to be near the beach though

  3. He looks like he had a great time and I love the picture of him with the umbrella! so cute!
    Visiting you from the Let kids be kids Linky

  4. Our inflateable pool came out recently too – just about usable despite a slow leak. Yours looks very sturdy with the frame, and I think much more suitable for the frantic splashing around!

    1. Yep, our old one was a blow up one. Takes so long if you’re blowing or pumping it up, and then adding the water. Much quicker with a frame.

  5. We have 3 paddling pools! With three kids to fit in we only really use the big one though.. and luckily we’re not on a meter 😉 It takes so long to fill it I don’t get it out as much as the kids would like.. we’ve only had it out once this year. Kids love it though and will happily spend all day in there is given the opportunity!

  6. Such happy memories from childhood, spending the summer in the paddling pool! We don’t have one anymore – our babies are all grown up. So when little friends came round last week, we had to resort to the tin bath we use for beer at parties and the washing up bowl – didn’t seem to bother them though!

    1. I only remember playing in my friends one which was massive. Aw tin bath’s so funny to use. Guess as long as it’s cool water they’re not worried

  7. Aww bless him, he looks like he is having an awesome time in there! My kids love the paddling pool being out, I refill it every morning while I’m doing breakfast so that it’s ready for the day ahead. 🙂

  8. Looks like he had loads of fun playing the paddling pool, if my kids want a dip they trot off down to the river, however they’ve said on occasion a swimming pool might be nice! Popping over from Magic Moments.

  9. That’s a lovely big pool. I always let Joe fill the pool too, they get so bored waiting overwise.

    #MagicMoments

  10. Aaaw he looks like having loads of fun. We don’t have a paddling pool, what we do is put a garden/sprayer hose in the trampoline. Good fun,too. x

    1. That’s a great idea. Our trampoline’s too far from the tap and on the patio so we should really move it to the grass. Awful waste of water though – my work would go mad – I work on water efficiency!

  11. We cracked out the paddling pool this week passed too! She spent most of the afternoon in it both days!
    #magicmoments

  12. We finally managed to drag ours out of hiding this week too! Kids have had loads of fun in it. Hubby doesn’t like it though – kills the grass :/

    1. That’s what the FIL says too. Plus he can’t get the ride on mower round that, and also has to move all the toys off the grass.

  13. Actually 3 days might have been ideal because last year I left it that long and the edges started going green which meant bacteria and algae was growing. By and large we use the small round one which fits him alone, but for the past few days we’ve had ‘the whopper’ out which we’ve all been able to go in. My issue is that it’s a dreadful waste of water and so I don’t like getting it out unless in real need.

    1. You’re probably right. N had left his cheap Tesco toys, and the dye had come out of the red ones on the bottom sheet where the water had evaporated and sun had got them.
      Agree on the waste of water. we’re on meter too so can get expensive if you need to keep filling. It’s bad enough the amount I’m using to water the tomatoes – must get a water butt!

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