Despite the high today of only 70 degrees, I jumped the gun and brought out our kiddie pool. Since my boys are now exhausted and asleep, I can positively say that it was worth it! Without a doubt, the kiddie pool is a beloved summer pasttime — it’s cheap, simple and enduring entertainment (we were outside for nearly 3 hours today!).
However, filling up the kiddie pool takes a lot of water over the course of a summer. With a few extra, simple steps, you can make the most of your use of water, as well as time, while entertaining the heck out of your kids.
How to “greenify” your kiddie pool
Cover it. If properly covered, your kiddie pool’s water can last nicely for 3 or 4 days. Using a cover, like a plastic tarp, old shower curtain or liner, vinyl table cloth or a sheet of plywood, helps keep out bugs and debris, and it prevents mosquitos from inhabiting and laying eggs in the water (eww!). A cover also helps insulate the water — children generally prefer nice, tepid water instead of the ice-cold stuff that comes straight out of the hose.
Strain it. After your kids are done playing for the day, and before you cover your kiddie pool, strain it to remove as much debris as possible. You can use a regular kitchen colander, a fish tank strainer or a mesh bag.
Don’t dump it! When it comes time to refill your pool with new water, don’t just dump the water out! Use it to water outdoor plants, indoor plants or your lawn. If your plants have recently been watered, find a way to save the pool water in another container (or two). Painters’ buckets work well, or add it to your rain barrel if you have one. Again, be sure the container has a lid to prevent mosquito farming.
Very nice blog you have here. So many great ideas, and many reminders to do more with less.
This post reminds me of an idea I just had recently. We have both a kiddie pool and a sandbox with a lid. Since I dug out a garden for my girls and don’t want them tossing the sand around the yard anymore (like last year!) I decided to sell our kiddie pool at a yard sale and use the sandbox for a kiddie pool. Then we will be able to keep it covered easily, and reap all of the benefits you mentioned in your post.
[...] be outside unless you’re in the water. Which means that we’ve spent lots of time in our kiddie pool, the lake, our friend’s pool and under a sprinkler. For kids, water is all the more fun [...]