| Childhood just isn't complete without a plastic pool | | | | grow tired of sliding into a pool of cool water. |
| on the patio or in the yard to splash around in. | | | | Not all plastic pools are made of molded plastic. |
| The great thing is that the parent on duty can | | | | Some of them are inflatable. If you get one, go |
| lounge in a chair supervising and reading or | | | | ahead and splurge on the electric air pump. |
| listening to music while the children splash around | | | | Otherwise you'll never get the thing inflated. But |
| and wear themselves out in the water, meaning | | | | one advantage to inflatable pools is that the sides |
| that afternoon nap time will be peaceful in the | | | | are softer than those of rigid plastic pools. One big |
| house. | | | | disadvantage, however, shows up when the |
| Perhaps the most common plastic pool is the | | | | family cat naps on one of the edges and punches |
| small, 6-foot or so diameter pool made of heavy | | | | tiny holes in it with her claws. |
| plastic with a ridged floor to help prevent slip-ups. | | | | There are even plastic pools that are especially |
| It is amazing how much fun little children have | | | | made for babies, with activity gyms built right in. |
| with this inexpensive thing that's not much bigger | | | | Inflatable spray pools incorporate small canopies |
| than their bathtub. Something about splashing | | | | to which you attach a hose, creating a sprinkler |
| around outside with the warm sun through the | | | | right in the pool. Plastic pools with full canopies are |
| leaves making dappled light patterns is incredibly | | | | a great choice for those super hot climates and |
| appealing to kids and grownups alike. | | | | places where shade is at a premium. |
| Plastic pools don't have to be plain round basins. | | | | The world of plastic pools is bigger and more |
| Some of them come with small slides molded | | | | diverse than ever, bringing another generation the |
| right into the side. It takes a long time for kids to | | | | joys of splashing outside on a summer day. |