14 Ways To Repurpose A Kiddie Pool In Your Yard And Garden

Nothing says summer like relaxing with a cold lemonade or having fun in the sun. But now that school's back in session, and leaves are starting to drop as fast as the temperature outside, you may be thinking about the long list of things to do around your house and garden this fall. Unclogging gutters to dividing perennials, autumn is an ideal time to focus on outdoor maintenance that keeps your yard looking great all year long. Even a simple clean sweep of forgotten bicycles or toys strewn around the lawn can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Still, you may be wondering what to do with one of the biggest candy-colored eyesores in your backyard: a kiddie pool. Luckily, we have a long list of ways you can repurpose that kiddie pool in your yard and garden.

Weighing next to nothing and made of durable plastic, a kiddie pool can provide hours of summer fun for under $20. The pools exploded in popularity as more people looked for socially-distanced activities for kids, with pool sales doubling on Amazon during the height of the pandemic, according to Market Watch. Consumer demand has continued to rise, leaving more of us than ever with the basins in our backyards. Fortunately, from container gardening to spooky decorations, splashing around in the dog days of summer isn't the only way you can use your kiddie pool.

Professionals say properly cleaning your dog helps with more than just muddy paws — regular grooming can help you stay ahead of any flea or tick problems your pooch may have picked up on your last walk. It can also help with shedding. A dog washing station doesn't have to be expensive. Put your kiddie pool near a water source that also has good drainage. You may want to lay a few pavers first for added stability. An inexpensive shower caddy works well to contain shampoo and other supplies. And don't forget a towel. Situate the station near a clothesline, if possible.

If your family has outgrown their kiddie pool, instead of throwing it away, why not DIY a stunning outdoor water feature? For your fountain to last, you'll need to first lightly sand the interior of your pool, then coat it with a liquid rubber sealant like Flex Seal before spray painting it your desired color. Weigh the pool in place with cinder blocks surrounded by river rocks before placing a garden urn on top. Make sure the urn has a drainage hole that can accommodate a water feature pump kit from your local hardware or aquarium store.

Although growing a kiddie pool full of microgreens probably won't help you win a Guinness World Record for the largest salad ever, it is an outstanding way to provide your family with fresh vegetables throughout the year. The process is simple and straightforward. After cleaning your pool, drill 40 to 50 drainage holes in the bottom, fill it with potting soil, add seeds or started plants, and water. If you're gardening in a small space, adding grow bags, like those found in some gardening subscription boxes, is another good option.

Teaching your children to play nice in the sandbox is easy when you repurpose your kiddie pool with a little beach sand and a few toys. When it's too chilly to sit in the water, making sandcastles and exploring textures are great activities for younger kids. A simple sandbox is one way to host kid-friendly get togethers when play dates end up happening at your house. If your kids love sensory play, try filling your kiddie pool with corn instead. Just remember that corn can be a choking hazard, so you'll want to keep careful watch during play time.

Are you a crafter who frequently uses spray paints or acrylic pours to add color to your small and medium-sized projects? If you've been looking for a way to contain the mess in your workshop, a kiddie pool can work wonders. Typically ranging from 8 to 12 inches deep, hard plastic pools work better than inflatable ones, because they provide a more stable surface. You can easily remove dried spray paint with the help of WD-40, or just gently scrape down the sides of your pool with a putty knife when paint build up gets too thick.

Letting your guests help themselves to beverages doesn't just make people feel right at home — it can make preparing to host football season parties or other fall gatherings much easier, too. Just find a central spot on your front porch or patio to put your plastic kiddie pool. Extra points if you spray paint the pool in your team's colors. Then, fill it with four or five large bags of ice and whatever beverages you'd like. This hack also works well with inflatable kiddie pools.

Spooky season is almost here. If nothing scares you more than blowing your budget on expensive decorations, and you're looking for budget-friendly Halloween crafts you can DIY, consider repurposing your kiddie pool as a hot tub filled with skeletons, a giant spider, or cauldron full of candy. To make a spider yard ornament, spray paint your pool black, slide stiff wire through painted pool noodles, shape them into legs, then attach each one to small holes drilled along the edge of your pool with a black zip tie. Flip upside-down and add eyes using white or glow-in-the-dark paint.

It turns out chickens cross the road, or at least the yard, to get to a dust bath. It may seem counterintuitive, but chickens scratch around in soil, sand, ash, or other loose material to clean themselves. Important for their overall health, dust baths work by covering the feathers and skin of a chicken with dirt that absorbs oils and, like using diatomaceous earth for pest control, can repel mites and other parasites. Your feathered friends will flock to a kiddie pool filled with a mix of dried, dusty material. Make sure to keep it in a free-range area.

Repurposing your kiddie pool into a pond for ducks, frogs, or even koi fish is easier than you might think. First, dig a hole large enough to fit your pool. You can mark the diameter by turning the pool upside-down and circling it with spray paint. Then, line the pool with heavy-duty black plastic before placing it inside the hole. Use the removed dirt to secure it into place, making sure the liner overlaps the entire edge of the pool. Add a small submersible pool pump, water, and aquatic plants that grow well near natural water features.

Backyard gardeners have repurposed their kiddie pools into containers for a wide variety of plants, from simple salad greens to towering cornstalks. If you want to bring more pollinators into your yard and garden, build a raised garden bed by painting your pool a bright orange or yellow color that attracts insects and butterflies. Fill it with rich potting soil and plant zinnias, marigolds, and other fragrant flowers. This is an outstanding project for young children. According to Montessori Life, gardening can improve academic performance, attention, focus, and fine motor skills.

It's not always easy to have a house full of hungry people, especially during the holidays. If your company plans to stay for a day or two after the turkey's been trimmed, consider setting out snacks or sandwich fixings so they can help themselves. Once again, a simple kiddie pool filled with ice can be a major hostess helper. Remember the USDA's "2 Hour Rule" when leaving food out at room temperature. "Ice!" is always a good response when people ask what they can bring to your next gathering.

Even if you're an expert at making your own DIY compost, there are times when materials in your pile or bin simply aren't breaking down into the rich, earthy, soft texture you want to add to your garden. At other times, your compost bin or tumbler will be due for a deep clean before you've had a chance to use all of its contents. And no matter what or how you're composting, good air circulation is a crucial ingredient. Take advantage of the durability of a plastic kiddie pool to spread out compost that needs a little help, whether it's removing brown material like large twigs or just giving it a little stir.

Repurposing a kiddie pool into a container garden for carnivorous plants is a great way to make sure their specific needs are met. From pitcher plants to Venus fly traps, carnivorous plants typically need lots of sun, as well as soil that is moisture-rich but nutrient-poor. Because they do best in boggy soils, a kiddie pool with just a few drainage holes added to it can help you create the perfect conditions during the growing season. Carnivorous plants also require long periods of dormancy, and the portability of a small kiddie pool allows you to easily move your container garden to a garage or porch to protect your plants from frost.

Whether your kids prefer to watch movies or meteor showers, it's easy to plan a family fun night with the help of a few inflatable kiddie pools. Simply line each one with a thick comforter, add a few pillows, and, especially as the weather gets chillier, a blanket or two. It's simple to turn your backyard into a private movie theater with an easy DIY screen setup. And if you'd rather gaze at shooting stars, both the Orionid and Geminid meteor showers are taking place in late 2024.