5 Fun Ways to Use Plastic Pools Besides Swimming

This summer your kids can have a ton of fun with just one thing: a plastic pool. These pools aren't just for swimming in; they can be used for many different fun things. Here are just five ways you can use that plastic pool to entertain the kids this summer.

Inflatable Pool Idea #1: Sand Box

Can't afford to buy your child a $50 sand box? No worries. You can use a plastic pool instead. You can bury small toys as "treasure" for the kids to dig up as part of a "pirate game". Or you could place shells in the sand for the kids to find as they pretend to be on a beach. Kids can use their crane toys and dump trucks as sand toys to keep them busy as well.

Plastic Pool Idea #2: Ball Pit

What child doesn't love jumping and playing in a pile of balls? You don't need to buy a huge inflatable ball pit that will blow your budget use a plastic pool instead. This would work well for toddlers with lots of energy. Let them use up that energy jumping into a plastic pool filled with balls.

Plastic Pool Idea #3: Water Balloon Storage

If the kids are interested in a water balloon fight they may not want to continually run to the faucet to fill up balloon after balloon. Instead you could fill the balloons beforehand and store them in a plastic pool. Each team gets their own pool full of water balloons to throw at their opponents. Or you could keep a centrally located water balloon filled plastic pool for the kids to run to when they need to reload.

Plastic Pool Idea #4: Green Thumb

If your kids would like to start their own garden but you don't want to dig up the backyard this solution would work for you. You can let your kids plant a few plants in a plastic pool. Gardening can be a great way to teach kids responsibility and patience as they tend to their plants and watch them grow. This would work well on a patio space as well. Can you say container garden for kids? You can if you allow them to grow their own plants in a plastic pool.

Plastic Pool Idea #5: Tug of War

Kids can use the plastic pool to engage in a game of "tug of war". You can fill a plastic "inflatable" pool with water or mud for the losing team to fall into. Place the inflatable pool in the middle of the two teams and watch as the fun unfolds.