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Safer Pools and Water Toys

by Dawn Lorenz 19 Comments

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After doing research for the post, Clean Toys, Green Toys and Toys Made Close to Home (highlighting chemicals in toys, what to watch for and what to avoid, and safe options), I have become so much more aware of what my kids are playing in/with/on. Now that it’s summer, I thought I’d revisit the safe option portion.

safekiddiepool

POOLS

Kiddie pools are a fabulous way for toddlers and babies to play around in the water. The scaled down sizes are inviting to children, making it a non-intimidating way for them to learn to enjoy water play. When choosing a pool, the harder the plastic, the safer the pool, as far as chemicals go. Safer plastics are plastics with resin codes #2, #4 and #5.  Plastics leach chemicals (the softer the plastic, the more they leach), and though many companies working with plastic have eliminated BPA, other chemicals (like EA) are being used instead, and they leach too. EA is a hormone disrupter, just as BPA is. In addition, make sure that the pool is PVC (vinyl) free. The bad news is that most kiddie pools are made of PVC.  The good news is that the safest option out there also seems to be the cheapest in most cases – the old fashioned shaped ones like the one in the picture above. We got ours at Toys”R”Us. It’s made in the USA, is constructed from high density polyethylene (#2) and was priced under $10.00. I’ve also seen that sold at some hardware stores. Step 2 makes one out of a harder plastic as well (pictured below).

Another safer kiddie pool option, constructed from a plastic.

Another safer kiddie pool option, constructed from a hard plastic.

HOSES

What you use to fill the pool is also important since HelathyStuff.org came out with their findings on the safety of garden hoses (many of them contain lead, along with other harmful metals and chemicals that are being found in the water that comes from them). For non-toxic hose options, see my post: Garden Hoses, A Potential Health Risk.

TOYS

Independent testing shows that toys sold on the shelves across America contain toxins such as lead, BPA, cadmium, PVC, phthalates and formaldehyde. I previously discussed the dangers of these toxins, as well as how they are ending up in our children’s toys, in my article, Clean Toys, Green Toys and Toys Made Close to Home.

When it comes to water toys, it’s important to make sure that they are free from chemicals and heavy metals, as these toys in particular often end up in children’s mouths, or with children trying to drink pool water from them (as much as we try to deter them from doing so!); thus the reason why I would like to share some of my children’s favorite water toys with you.

Green Toys Tugboat, Green Toys Ferry Boat and Green Toys Submarine

IMG_8621

The ferry boat – it comes with two mini cars!

These boats are made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and external coatings. They are packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. The best part is that they do not harbor mold. These boats open up for fast drying and easy cleaning.

getDynamicImage.aspxYou can find Green Toys just about anywhere these days. Amazon usually has a full stock.

 GBaby by Geomag

These can be used both in and out of the bath. Though they are marketed for ages 10 months and up, they are not just for babies. My almost 5 year old loves to play with them, as does my almost 3 year old daughter.

Because they are magnetic, kids can use their imaginations to build all sorts of things. These are also great in the tub, since they will stick to the sides, which the kids love.  According to Geomag’s website, they are manufactured in Switzerland and adhere to the European Safety standards, which are stricter than America’s. The animal shapes are made from rubber and the magnetic pieces are incased in a hard plastic.

You can find these on Amazon. You can also locate a store that sells them here: Store Locator.

The Busy Boat by North Star Toys

This is another one of my children’s favorite water toys. “North Star Toys are made from sustainably-managed wood or wood scraps from local cabinet makers. The 32-year-old company assembles all of its toys in New Mexico, USA, which runs on 100% renewable energy. Toys are finished with a food-grade mineral oil and paints are certified lead-free and nontoxic” (The Independent). Their lumber comes from the US, and their parts follow the federal and voluntary guidelines governing small parts, sharp points, and chemical make-up. Their toy finishes are safe, as the toys are simply coated with a non-toxic, food grade mineral oil which meets or exceeds requirements by the USFDA, US Pharmacopeia, US Dept. of Agriculture and is certified Kosher and Pareve (North Star Toys).

You can order the Busy Boat direct from the North Star Toys website. On a side note, the toy makers themselves are wonderful people who truly care about each and every toy they make and the children that will be playing with them. They take care in the packaging of each toy, sending a thank you note and wrapping it special. In this day in age, that says a lot!

Sprig Scuba Search and Sprig Toys Adventures Dolphin Adventure Playset 

Sprig's Dolphin Adventure Playset

Sprig’s Dolphin Adventure Play Set

Made in Mexico, “Sprig toys are made of Sprigwood, a durable child safe bio composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic”(Amazon). You can visit their website or find their toys on Amazon.

Sprig Scuba Search

Have more safe options to share? Please let us know in the comment area!

Oh, and while playing out in the sun, if you don’t have much shade, don’t forget the sunscreen. Like so many things, just because something says that it’s safe and natural doesn’t mean it actually is. After much research, I use Poofy Organic’s sunscreen. Here’s the ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Beeswax, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Camellia Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide,  Rosemary Extract, Organic Eucalyptus Oil, and Natural Vitamin E.  I find it rubs in better and stays on longer than Badger. I stock up because shipping is the same on one as it is on 2 or 3. 

my pick sunscreen

*Author’s Note: I often share products that I love and use with my own family. When applicable, I link it to my affiliate status with Amazon as a way to make a few dollars to help keep this website running. Thank you for purchasing through my links!

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Filed Under: Chemicals in Toys, Our Natural Kids, Toxins in and around the Home Tagged With: Family, pool, toys

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Comments

  1. Annette says

    July 26, 2020 at 11:19 pm

    Another non-toxic, hard plastic pool that I’d add to your list is H20 series that ACE Hardware sells online, especially the “H2O Elephant 100 gal. Round Plastic Wading Pool” which is fun, and also made of HDPE #2 like the Step2, and only $31 (my family has this one).

    Like you said, the problem with any of the soft inflatable plastics is that they all use some kind of endocrine disrupting “plasticizers” to soften the plastic. You can assume that even if they are BPA free, they definitely use another softener, like BPS or BPF, that is also estrogenizing and toxic, but that hasn’t been regulated yet. The question to ask the companies is if their plastic product has been tested for “Estrogenic Activity.” This covers all of the problematic plasticizers and will soon become an industry standard test for consumer products in the EU.

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      August 21, 2020 at 3:26 pm

      Great! Thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  2. Brooke says

    July 7, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    Hi, is there an updated list 2018 of safe kiddie pools? We wanted to order a few ASAP so we could have fun in backyard this summer with my 1.5 year old daughter. Thank u in advance!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Brooke says

      July 7, 2018 at 1:54 pm

      I love the intex blow up they look awesome and fun but i got one and it smelled horrible. Assuming that is toxic. Not sure if there are any newer ones that are non toxic? Or if I’m stuck with the old fashioned hard sided pools? Thank u!!

      Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      July 14, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      Sorry – In the middle of a move and behind on this – it’s basically the same thing – you want a harder pool, PVC free.

      Reply
      • Brooke says

        July 14, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        Thank u for your response!! Do you have any links you can forward me for safe kiddie pools?

        Reply
  3. Anna says

    June 24, 2018 at 2:30 am

    Hello! I am curious about making a pool out of an old grain bin that we are taking down. Could we leave the bottom part and would that be safe?!

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      June 24, 2018 at 2:31 pm

      what is the bottom made out of?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 24, 2018 at 5:35 pm

        Thanks for responding!! The sides are coragated steel and the bottom would be cement. Would both those be okay if we didn’t need a liner?

        But I’m thinking we’d have to put a liner or something to make it water sealable? And I’m not sure what that could be /best way for safeness?

        Reply
        • Dawn Lorenz says

          June 24, 2018 at 9:55 pm

          hmm… this isn’t my area of experience liner wise. It definitely sounds like you would need one since cement is porous…

          Reply
  4. Katelyn says

    June 3, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    Thanks so much! this was very helpful to read through before I make my kiddie pool purchase. We live in a VERY hot climate so I am really trying to find the kind of plastic that would be best.

    Reply
  5. Blake says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Dawn. Thank you for the fantastic review! We are trying to find a safe kiddie pool for our baby on his first birthday because he absolutely loves water. Our tub is just so small though that his movement is limited. We are looking at this pool http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=87953486&cp=2255956.2273442.70859346.2257605.2257622&parentPage=family from Toys R Us and it notes that it has a Poly construction; however, it doesn’t confirm which resin code it is or if it’s PVC free.

    Where can you confirm this information? Thank you for any help or advice you can provide.

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      August 16, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Hello. From the photo it looks similar in material to what I have here for my kids. I wonder if you purchase it at the store if it comes with a sticker or more information?

      Reply
  6. Carley says

    June 21, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Hello, what brand is your poolpictured above?

    Reply
  7. Valerie says

    May 27, 2016 at 2:31 am

    I’m looking for a kiddie pool for my 2 kiddos. I was wondering if you knew anything about these back yard pools & whether they are safe. Thanks!

    https://www.vminnovations.com/Product_5637/Intex-Inflatable-Rainbow-Ring-Play-Center-Pool-57453EP.html?rd=gpf_5637&gclid=CPX00JLF9swCFZGJaQodmWQOUw

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-8-Jungle-Snapset-Pool/40900291?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=40900291&placement_id=irs-106-t1&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=c1b14871-b95c-4a0a-b717-54211e52d138&customer_id_enc&config_id=106&parent_item_id=21903826&parent_anchor_item_id=21903826&guid=7f044015-0fa6-4dab-b0a3-a72f13c1047a&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      May 27, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      The rainbow one is made of the soft plastic that leaches the most. When used with cold water, it’s not too much of an issue, however as it warms up that’s when the chemicals are released. I cannot tell what the one from walmart is lined with 0 that’s the key.

      Reply
  8. Luke says

    January 31, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Thanks for providing such a comprehensive review of these toys, Dawn. Most sites miss out on the safety angle altogether, and you have done a great job at redressing the balance and helping us all to become better informed about our buying choices!

    Reply
  9. Lilah says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    These look like great pool toys and also very unique! Plus anything to help the environment is a major plus. I am always looking for cool pool toys.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Is there a PVC-free Kid’s Pool? - Debra Lynn Dadd says:
    June 4, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    […] RAISING NATURAL KIDS: Safer Pools and Water Toys […]

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