A heatwave in Britain means one thing - paddling pools.
Sure, we'll be having lots of BBQs, nights in the garden by the fire pit, and maybe even a dip or two in a hot tub if you're lucky enough, but no one can deny the utter delight of a paddling pool - kids and adults alike.
If you don't already have a paddling pool, it's likely you won't want to wait weeks for it to be delivered - where's the fun in that? If you're an Amazon Prime member, you're in luck - you can have a paddling pool delivered the next day where available, or even with same-day delivery, in some cases.
You can even get a FREE 30-day trial to fall in love with Prime (which, you will, by the way), and it costs just £7.99 per month afterwards. What's not to like?
So, whether you're buying a paddling pool for the kids, the dog, or yourself, we've rounded up the top picks of the best paddling pools on Amazon with super-fast delivery. You can have it set up in your garden in a matter of days.
Best paddling pool shortlist:
• Top Pick: Pecute Paddling Pool
• Best for the whole family: Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool
• Recommended: Zacro Foldable Pool
• Best baby pool with shade: Intex Mushroom Baby Pool
• Best pool for quick set-up: Bestway Fill-N-Fun Paddling Pool
• Best baby pool: Intex Recreation 57407EP Smiling Panda Baby Pool
Best paddling pools to buy right now:
Top Pick
This sturdy pool will suit children and dogs, doesn't need inflating so isn't at risk of punctures and folds into a carry bag for easy storage and transport.
Size: 160 x 30cm
Review: "Great pool. I use it for the child, although the dogs are also willing to enter it. Heavy and solid. The fabric is reliable. It does not require pumping so no risk of breaks. The pool is very big. In the summer it will serve as a swimming pool in the garden."
Related: 6 of the best swimming pools to keep you cool in the summer
Best for the whole family
If you're searching for a pool for the whole family, this one from Intex is a popular choice. It needs to be set up on solid, flat ground and will hold 886L of water, so small children must be supervised at all times when using the pool.
Size: 6ft x 20in
Review: "Good size for about 3 adults, 4 max. Easy to set up and made from good quality materials...would recommend this product. Would also advise a pool cover as it heats the pool when the sun's shining on it and protects from clumsy flies and bees landing in it."
Recommended
If you're working with a balcony or a small garden and just need something to cool the kids (or dogs) off with, this small pool will suit you perfectly.
Size: 80cm x 20cm
Review: "Great padding, pool, using for my 2 and 5-year-old. Sides hold well and packs away small, thank you."
Best baby pool with shade
This sweet little pool is perfect for one child and also has the benefit of shade from the mushroom roof, keeping them safe on warmer days.
Size: 40 x 35in
Review: "It is one of the best things I bought for my son. It is of a very good size. My son just loved it. It is made up of very good quality. The colours are as good as is shown on the Amazon page. The colours are very bright and attractive. It is very well-made and finished product, with no leaks, no faults. We used it quite a number of times. It is just fantastic. Definitely 5 stars for it."
Best pool for quick set-up
If you haven't got grass to use an inflatable pool on, this one from Bestway is a great option. It's quick to set up and comes with sea creature motifs on the sides.
Size: 48 x 10in
Review: "This was so perfect, and exactly what we were looking for, delivery was much faster than expected, it comes in a small box, you just roll it out, fill it up and away you go. My 18 month old LOVED it, spent the whole day in and out having fun. Also want to mention we haven't got grass in the garden so a blow-up pool wasn't an option. This was a perfect solution."
Best baby pool
One for the really little kids out there, this Intex paddling pool is suitable for children aged one to three years. It features a cute panda graphic and comes with a repair patch, should you need it.
Size: 46 x 35 x 5.5in
Review: "A lovely little splash pool and a nice size. Not very deep which suits me fine. Only given 4 stars because I would have liked a bit more padding on the bottom, but fine on grass or blanket. My baby loves it."
Top tips for paddling pool safety
Paddling pools can create hours of fun for your kids, but it's important to note that when the correct precautions aren't taken, they can actually be very dangerous.
Supervision
Ensure your children are supervised at all times while using the paddling pool. If you need to step away for a moment, ask another adult to supervise or take your children out of the pool.
Depth
Did you know that children can drown in just a few inches of water? As a rule, 5-10cm should be more than enough for them to have fun and cool off.
Sun cream
Even in pools with a cover for shade, or in shaded areas, your kids are susceptible to sunburn and should always wear ample sun protection. Check out our best sunscreen for kids roundup to keep them safe.
Temperature
Just as you'd check the temperature of their food, drinks and baths, always check the swimming pool isn't too cold before putting them in the water. If it's too cold, you can throw in a few buckets of hot water (while they stay a safe distance away) to warm it up.
Insects and debris
If the pool has been out for a few days, make sure to check for any twigs, litter and bugs that could cause harm to your child. Scoop them out using a net or bucket.
Furthermore, if your pool has been in storage since last summer, give it a hose down to get rid of any dust and spider webs before filling it up.
Safety around the area
The area around your pool, as well as the sides, can become slippery once wet. Keep towels nearby, emphasise the importance of not running around the pool or put your children in and take them out out of the pool to avoid any accidents.
Are you a Prime member?
Have you signed up for Amazon Prime yet? You can sign up today for a free 30-day trial and find out what all the fuss is about. You get free next-day delivery on thousands of items, plus so much more – Prime Video, Prime Reading, Amazon Family, and more.
What to read next:
Forget paddling pools, splash pads are the coolest option for your kids this summer
Jade Moscrop is a Deputy Commercial Content Editor for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.