SUMMER is in full swing – and what better way to cool off than a dip? I hit the local high street looking for the best value supermarket paddling pools. With the help of my sons Leo, five, and James, eight, we tested pools – the ones available to buy in-store on the day – marking each out of ten. B&M £16 SIZE: 1.
52m THIS pool is easy to set up, took just under 20 minutes to fill and looks like a silver flying saucer, which the boys loved. Size-wise it was too small for them to swim around in but there was nothing to stop the water-pistol fight. James says: “I like the design and colour but I wish it was bigger.
” RATING: 7/10 Aldi £3.99 SIZE: 1.22m YOU can choose from three designs – animals, dinosaur or whale, and the boys went for the dinosaur-themed pool.
While it was small, they still managed to have fun and played a game of catch. James says: “This pool is more for babies and there wasn’t a lot of room.” RATING: 4/10 Asda £40 SIZE: 3.
4m x 1.6m AHOY there matey – we have a winner! This pirate ship pool has everything you need for a fun afternoon in the garden. Not only does it come with an inflatable steering wheel and flag post, it also has an inflatable water cannon.
Leo says: “Best pool ever! I liked squirting James with the cannon and steering the boat.” RATING: 9/10 Home Bargains £19.99 SIZE: 8ft THE great beauty of this pool is there is very little to inflate.
With an 8ft diameter, there was loads of space for the boys and I could fit in too, for a cool down. Leo says: “I had lots of room to swim around like a shark. It was a lot of fun.
” RATING: 8/10 Argos £12 SIZE: 1.22m THE packaging boasts “rigid, heavy-duty sidewalls” but we found them to be weak. In fact, more water was on the grass than in the pool after a few minutes of the boys playing.
James says: “This one was rubbish. It was too small and the sides were all floppy.” RATING: 5/10 Morrisons £14 SIZE: 2m x 1.
5m ONE of the more robust pools we tested, which is probably thanks to the extra-wide side walls. It’s also a good size, meaning both boys could get in and comfortably play. Leo says: “I liked lying down in it and kicking my feet to splash James.
” RATING: 7/10 Tesco £9, down from £20 SIZE: 2m x 1.5m A super-sturdy, decent size pool at a bargain price. This was very similar to Morrisons’ pool, but the two handy cup holders means it gets a higher rating.
Also, the aquamarine colour gave off Ibiza vibes. Filling time was around 30 minutes, but it’s worth the wait. James says: “I like that I can take my drink in the pool and it won’t fall over.
” RATING: 8.5/10.
