Alternative to paddling pool?

[whyschoolwhy]

I'd like to get DS (7) something for the garden this summer to keep cool, but preferably not a paddling pool. We already have one, and I spend an age filling it up, only for him to decide it's too cold and he doesn't want to play in it. He's an only child and I can't help but think if he had a sibling they'd work together to find ways to make it fun. Anyway, is there anything else I could use that might entertain him for longer and keep him cool at the same time? He used to have a water and sand table as a toddler. Splash pads look good but I'm not sure if they're really for toddlers as well?

How about a slip and slide?

Can't you play with him in the paddling pool to make it fun?

Just add a couple of kettles of hot water to it.

You could try a much bigger pool as they are way more entertaining or a slide into the paddling pool . The slip and slide things are fun but a pain if there is a hose ban which there likely will be at some point .

I do! But apparently I'm not entertaining enough.

A sprinkler attached to the hose.

I'd second placing the slide so the end goes into the paddling pool. Kept a group of teenagers occupied for a surprisingly lengthy amount of time...

If you know someone with a dog, throw him into the pool. Always fun for child and pet

Nearly killed myself with that, couldn't resist but I was way too big and the splash just about emptied the pool.

We have a splash mat and put it under the slide. My 9yo does play in it alone but prefers a playmate.

I bought a splash pad similar to this during the pandemic and it is still used occasionally now by 10yo - there is loads on Amazon, just read the dimensions carefully so you don’t end up with a tiny one. Then just attach the hose and it’s ready -our cat is intrigued and gets closer and closer for a look until she gets splashed.

Or get a garden sprinkler.

Garden sprinkler to run through.

My kids still love the little tikes water tables, they look like they would suit toddlers but my 7 and 10 yo played with them last summer, as did their friends. You can raise them up on a little table if they don't like bending down. Take no time to fill compared to a pool.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

We got more water play out of a bunch of pieces of guttering from a hardware shop plus bricks, rocks, bits of wood and string to construct water courses with, than we ever did from an "official" water toy.

We have an only child and had the same dilemma. We got one of the Lay-Z-Spa pools. It’s been a complete game changer as we love going in too and our son loves the quality family time we have with no electronics. He is at an age where he is happy just to chill in there with us with a drink and chat now but when he was younger he loved his tiny remote control boat, we had waterproof uno cards and a mini inflatable sort of tray for playing on, fishing rod with plastic fish to catch and a little collection of boats that floated. Best garden thing we have ever bought.

One of these: https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/rocket-sprinkler-rotating-fun-rocket-water-pressure-lift-sprinkler-durable-long-lasting-for-garden-party-bathroom-for-kids-adult~p94863595/?bidnamic_id=&stat=eyJpcCI6IjUyLjk5IiwiZHAiOiIwLjAwIiwibGlkIjoxMzA4OTIwMjMsInMiOjUsInQiOjE3NDg0OTA1MDQsImJtYyI6MH0=&exta=bingsh&extac=home_garden_2

We had a similar one and it was great fun. You can either blast it off or get it to hover mid air while spraying out water.

I definitely don’t think splash pads are just for toddlers! I think he’d love it!
Get a warm water tap fitted outside so you can put warmer water in the pool.
Yeah maybe a bigger pool? You can get them with a slide attached, some have sprinklers or even a wee basket ball net.
Fancy water guns and get his mates round

Water pistols / water balloons are good fun and help keep cool.

I recommend one of these sprinkler attachments that goes on the end of a hose. It makes lots of different water patterns. My kids love ours.

Some great ideas, thanks everyone!

Bit late replying but my son is an only one and the same age. He bought an intex framed pool with his birthday money last year with a filter so it’s up all summer. A solar cover warms it nicely. The biggest thing he loves is an inflatable water slide that i got second hand. I would have to replace this is anything ever happened to it as it gets the most use. Then just some reuseable water bombs- worth what they initially cost and they just live in a tub of water along with some cheap water guns. My son plays for hours with these alone.

OP, you need to invite a friend round to play with him.

And ditto to a couple of kettles of very hot water, if it feels a bit chilly.