Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
Chad Valley 8.5ft Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool review: is this the best inflatable paddling pool for kids?
Put through its paces by our tester, Jane, and her two young children across two hot London summers - here's what we thought of this popular inflatable paddling pool.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
Price on writing: £34 | Buy now from Argos
Rating: 4.5/5
What we like
Quick to inflate and fill
Hours of fun for little ones
Good quality
Great value for money
Easy to store
No need for chemicals
What we don’t like
Vulnerable to punctures
Can get discoloured by grass
Needs regular cleaning and emptying
Our verdict
The Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool is a lovely, classic paddling pool that would suit any garden, offering hours of fun for children up to around 10 years old. Our tester, Jane, who’s owned this paddling pool for two years, has been impressed by its durability - even with multiple kids playing in it at once, plus washing and storing it after each use. The ease of setup was another big plus, with the pool taking just 10 minutes to inflate with a foot pump, followed by another 10 minutes to half-fill it with water.
“It feels sturdy, and even with many kids hopping in and out I have not been worried about it.”
A great quality paddling pool, kids can spend sunny days immersed in water play, while parents chill in the garden. With the UK experiencing heatwaves most summers, a paddling pool like this one provides a simple way for little ones to cool down while still having fun.
While regular cleaning can be a minor inconvenience, our tester said it's worth the effort and that she didn’t feel the need for chemical water cleaning. Keeping the pool water clean becomes more challenging when placed on dry grass, as the kids inevitably track in bits of grass on their feet. However, emptying and cleaning the pool is a breeze, and it easily fits back into a small storage box when it’s not in use.
Overall, the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool is a brilliant all-rounder that will bring hours of enjoyment - not to mention a fun place for kids to cool down - during hot weather.
Read next: Our pick of the best paddling pools, as recommended by Mumsnetters
Key specs
Type of paddling pool: Inflatable | Capacity: 950l | Material: PVC | Dimensions: 262 x 175 x 51cm | Weight: 4.05kg (unfilled)
How we tested
Our tester Jane, her 4-year-old son and 20-month-old daughter have had this paddling pool for two years. Used a couple of times a week when the weather’s warm enough, Jane took note of its durability, ease of use and how much play value her children get from it. While the age guidance says the pool is recommended from 6 years and up, she half-fills the pool and finds it to be a good, safe place for her kids to play - supervised, of course.
What’s in the box?
Pool
Puncture repair patch
What accessories does it need?
A foot pump is a must, unless your lungs enjoy a challenge. An electric pump would make it even easier to inflate, but at just ten minutes, a foot pump is perfectly good - plus it gives your calves a workout.
Jane prefers to empty and refill her paddling pool after each day, so no chlorine tablets or their associated paraphernalia were required. She says she would consider getting a cover to minimise debris drifting into it while it’s not in use, but finds it very user-friendly even without one.
How easy is the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool to set up?
Our tester found setting up the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool a relatively hassle-free process. With the use of a foot pump, it took a mere 10 minutes to inflate the pool to its full size. Another 10 minutes were spent on filling it halfway with water, as Jane wanted to keep the water shallow so her youngest could play in the paddling pool too.
How does the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool compare to other paddling pools?
In terms of ease of setup, this model has the edge over fast-set paddling pools like the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool, which, while quick to inflate, often require a considerable amount of time to fill thanks to their depth. You also can’t half-fill a fast-set paddling pool as they’re held up by the water inside them.
In contrast to frame paddling pools like the Bestway Steel Pro, the Chad Valley model offers the advantage of portability and easy storage. Its simple construction, lightweight design and ability to fit neatly into a small storage box make it an excellent choice for those with limited space. While frame pools may be more sturdy and permanent, the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool strikes a balance between durability and convenience.
However, if you have teens or are looking for more of an overground pool feel from your paddling pool, this one isn’t for you. It’s brilliant for young children who will love its shallow water and chunky sides for endless play possibilities, but for adults and teens it’ll cool you down but doesn’t offer the depth needed to really enjoy it.
Another drawback of inflatable pools is that they’re vulnerable to punctures. This one comes with a puncture repair patch, but it’s worth taking extra care with any pets or thorns that might find their way onto your lawn. Stored properly and quickly repaired if it does get punctured, the pool should last a good few summers.
What is the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool like to use?
The Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool is great fun for children, and parents might like to get in too for a spalsh about or to cool down after a hard day's parenting - it's just about big enough to live up to its 'family swim centre' name. The kids can spend hours playing and splashing in the water, while adults can look on, enjoying a cup of tea (or something cooler, probably).
“The kids love it, they can spend hours and hours playing in it. It one of those universal toys that works for all ages. It also means that we as parents can sit down and relax in the garden while we watch them.”
In terms of keeping the water clean, the manufacturer does say a chlorine float can be used in this pool, however our tester found it easy enough to empty and refill daily, so opted not to use any paddling pool water cleaning hacks or accessories.
How do you drain, clean and store the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool?
Draining, cleaning, and storing the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool is pretty straightforward. At the end of each day's use, Jane (or her other half) empties the pool, which took only a moment - and as they didn’t use any chemicals, the water is suitable for watering the garden with.
The pool does need a clean each time, as in the absence of chlorine it will get covered in slimy bits of grass and dirt, but a quick spray with the hose, wipe with an old towel and a spritz of anti-bac before putting it away will keep it hygienic throughout the summer.
Read next: The best pool toys, as chosen by Mumsnetters
Is the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool good value for money?
Jane says the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool represents excellent value for money. If cared for well, she thinks the pool will last at least another 2-3 years before her kids grow out of it. If you're seeking a reliable and affordable option that kids of all ages will love playing in, the Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool is a great choice.
“London has been pretty hot already this summer and it allows the kids to cool down in a nice fun way.”
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also the best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won the Kate Betts Memorial Prize in 2019, her books have been translated into eight languages and her writing has featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer. When she's not working, Poppy enjoys Pilates, hunting for sea glass on the Sussex coast and playing with tarot cards.
About Mumsnet Reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.