With the promise of hot weather on the horizon, now's the time to get ready for those blissful summer days in the garden with the best splash pad for kids. Aimed at toddlers and younger children, these are efficient and easy water toys that will keep your kids cool while using less water and keeping the fun high. So, while you're keeping a close eye and chilling in the hot tub, they can have their own fun with siblings or friends.
Easy-to-use splash pads work by having a garden hose pump water through the inflatable tube whilst small holes sprinkle out water to make a fun effect. There's a lesser volume of water involved, so you won't have any mud piles collected alongside the pad or the risk of sticky feet and soggy grass that comes with swimming pools.
Best splash pads for kids at a glance:
• Best splash pads for kids: Peradix Sprinklers Pad For Kids - View on Amazon UK
• Best splash pad and paddling pool: Summer Waves Dino Water Activity Play Centre - View on Argos
• Best toddlers splash pad: MOZOOSON Toddler Splash Pad - View on Amazon UK
Splash pads for kids can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so we've no doubt you'll find one that works for your garden. Whether you want a small pool and fun sprinkle effect or a large sprinkle to let your dog run through, you can figure out what's best for you. We've selected the best splash pads and sprinkler pools for you right here. All ranging from £10 to £30, they're great affordable options for any modern family garden.
The best splash pads for kids and sprinkler pools
Best splash pads for kids
AmazonDescription
With a choice of designs and over 2,800 Amazon reviews rating this an average of 4.3 stars, the Peradix Sprinklers Pad For Kids takes the top spot. Large enough for up to four kids, it has an adjustable spray height (100cm up to 150cm) and is made of a thick PVC material to prevent punctures or water leakage.
Customer review: "I highly recommend the Peradix Splash Pad for any parent looking for a fun, safe, and engaging outdoor activity for their children. This sprinklers play mat is 67 inches in diameter and provides hours of entertainment for kids of all ages."
Pros
- Easy to put away and set up
- High-quality PVC
- Good value
Cons
- Be wary, as some reviewers found the images exaggerated the sprinkler height
Best toddlers splash pad
AmazonDescription
Coming in at 170cm diameter, this splash pad is perfect for any young child or toddler who is stimulated by water play. With counters in the design of the pool, this makes a fun and educational garden water toy.
Customer review: "Bought this for my grandson who loved playing around on this. Easy to set up and use and kept him entertained for hours. Great value for money."
Pros
- Perfect for any child aged two and above
- Pressure can be adjusted
Cons
- Prints can fade in the sun
Best for a vibrant design
Argos/ Bestwaywww.argos.co.uk
Description
If this friendly, bright yellow pineapple in sunglasses doesn't scream summer, we don't know what will! The Bestway Sunny Pineapple Splash Pool is a must-have for bringing those summery vibes to your garden, combined with the gentle fountain effect that'll keep kids happy and cool at the same time.
Customer review: "Shallow and safe for my toddler. He really enjoyed this in the hot weather."
Pros
- Bright, summery design
- Can be used as a sand pit
- Shallow pool suitable for ages 2+
Cons
- Sprinkler effect not a high as others
Best splash pad for the whole family
AmazonDescription
With ample space for two to three kids, this is a great pick for ensuring no little ones miss out on the fun. The Anpro Sprinkler Pad has a non-slip bottom and comes available in pink or blue with an animal-themed alphabet for a little learning on the side.
Customer review: "Love this product, easy to use, will fit in most gardens with not a lot of room. The water creates a little pool for them to sit and play in and either have the sprinklers on or off. I find a paddling pool comes out for a day takes forever to get warm and then gets put away again, I can see us grabbing this and switching on whenever at short notice and using all the time. Great price too! chuffed to bits."
Pros
- Non-slip bottom
- Easy to set up for a quick win in hot weather
Cons
- Some reviews have said it pops easily
Best value splash pad
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
This Bestway Underwater Splash Pad is a little on the small side, but it's a great way to keep the kiddos cool and entertained with the gently cascading water sprayer. Coming with a repair kit, you can inflate this splash pad in just five minutes, and we personally love the cute underwater theme.
Customer review: "This is excellent value for money. Bigger than I anticipated and the quality is better than others that we had previously bought for cheaper online. A good few uses out of it and it’s still going strong for next summer!"
Pros
- Great quality for the price
- Ideal for small children
Cons
- Water doesn't shoot up that much
Best splash pad and paddling pool
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
Alongside this adorable unicorn option, Argos is home to some fantastic activity play centres that elevate the splash pad game. As well as being perfect for dino-mad tots, this Jurassic-themed play centre has it all; a paddling pool with inflatable toys, a water slide and a dinosaur that sprays water.
Customer review: "Bought this for my 4y.o. and it’s brilliant. You do have to inflate each bit separately but with an electric pump it doesn’t take long. The slide and accessories are fantastic as is the dinosaur sprinkler which connects to a hose."
Pros
- Padding pool, sprayer and games in one
- Great for dinosaur-mad tots
Cons
- Does require inflating all components
Best splash pad with low sprinkler
Amazonwww.kidly.co.uk
Description
If you love the idea of a splash mat for your child but don't want the 'splash' element to be too big, this SUNNYLiFE Kids Sprinkler Mat in Into The Wild Blue delivers just that. As well as having a very stylish, modern design that even parents can get behind, the chameleon-shaped shallow pool has low jets around the outside directing into the pool.
Pros
- Modern, stylish design
- Low splash risk
Cons
- Smaller than others - ideal for one or two kids
Best square-shaped splash mat
Amazon/ SOKADescription
This SOKA large splash pad, available in blue or yellow, is square and large enough to fit up to four children. With sprinklers coming out of the outer edges of the pool, it's bright and vibrant and can even double as a ball pit or sand pit. Even better, it has an adjustable sprinkler height for more fun.
Customer review: "Both the kids and dog absolutely love this. I use it with the sprinklers on then turn them off and it holds the water for a little while to use like a paddling pool then just turn the hose back on when it starts losing a bit too much water. It’s holding up well and no holes yet after over a month of use."
Pros
- Great value
- Fun design
- Adjustable sprinkler height
Cons
- Suitable for 5+, not younger kids
Are splash pads dangerous?
No, splash pads are not dangerous if you inflate them properly and ensure they are being played with safely.
With any inflatable toy, especially water toys like paddling pools, there can be some safety concerns as children run around. We recommend getting splash pads with non-slip bottoms and that you make sure to keep an eye on your children when they use the splash mat. Children should never be left unsupervised.
In terms of diseases and germs, if you're using an inflatable splash pad at home with your own water, then it should be completely clean as it comes out of the tap. Just ensure you clean out the splash mat after every playtime, and it should be perfectly safe to use.
How do splash pads work?
Generally, the way inflatable splash pads work is by inserting a hose into the pad through an opening. When the water is turned on, it will sprinkle out through small holes in the inflatable - making the water come up and out!
You can adjust the water pressure to make the water come out faster, slower, higher or lower.
How do you build a splash pad in your garden?
Inflatables not your thing? If you're looking for something more permanent to put in your back garden, then you can actually install your own home splash pad. Treat your children to something special with their own luxury splash park.
There are many ways to install water features, and this is definitely one for a fun family summer. One of the simplest ways is to combine a regular garden sprinkler with a tarp, though we'd recommend searching online for guides and tutorials. After all, the one thing you don't want to compromise on is safety.
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Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Modern Gardens, heat, Closer, and Grazia. When not out and about, you can catch her reading books at home with her two cats.