The best thing for children on a sweltering summer afternoon is the view of spraying water. Today, the only thing that can distract a kid from the tablets is a personal backyard splash pad.
Although splash parks have existed for many years in public spaces, private splash pads are comparatively new. What caused this surge in popularity? Perhaps the fact that, for parents of small kids, they provide a more cost-effective, secure, and compact alternative to an inground pool.
In fact, all these qualities make splash pads an excellent complement to a pool. While a spa provides an extra diversion for adults, a splash pad is the best way to complete a pool are for children.
Benefits and drawback
For a little child, the only benefit of a splash pad that’s worth mentioning is the fact that it’s a good distraction. Nevertheless, the grownups usually focus on the following factors:
Price. The cost of a splash pad can differ significantly based on materials and other features. Nevertheless, we may safely say a splash pad is way cheaper to set up and maintain than an inground pool. In addition, splash pad kits permit many householders to carry out installation on their own, thereby saving a significant sum.
Security. Splash pads usually have only about an inch of still water at any moment, which is why the risk of accidental drowning is almost zero. According to statistics, kids at the highest risk of drowning are aged 1-3 – precisely the age group that splash pads are intended to attract to.
Dimensions. While a traditional pool usually takes up a whole backyard, splash pads can be of any size you want. They can easily merge with a yard or a patio. Actually, with the proper design they can seem invisible when not used.
What’s the disadvantage of private splash pads? They’re intended only for kids. So, that’s a perfect investment for grandparents who want to see their grandchildren more often. The rest of householders need to ask themselves whether this investment is worth the price.
Adding a splash pad to your pool area
Although many people consider backyard splash pad as an alternative to swimming pools, the two of them can easily exist side by side. Actually, such an installation provides some significant benefits.
Firstly, a swimming pool and a splash pad can have the same water circuit. Separate splash pads usually run off city water. Of course, you can set up a splash pad with its own heating and circulation system. However, choosing a package deal (a splash pad+ a pool) is very reasonable.
The safety benefits of splash pads are also applicable to this combination. Initially, this may seem illogical, since you still own the pool and all the risks involved. Nevertheless, a splash pad will distract your kids from the pool for grownups. Anyway, it allows them to have fun while you can’t keep an eye on them.
Eventually, as regards aesthetics, a splash pad looks organic near a conventional pool. The fountains can be embedded in the pool deck, turning into an appealing water feature. Another great option is to give your all by using bright LED lights.
To be or not to be?
Before wasting money on the attraction your children or grandchildren will once outgrow, we recommend you consider other options as well. There is huge variety of play kits and water toys that are less expensive and simpler to install than a splash pad. Although they’re not as long-lasting or good-looking, but they get the job done– which is to entertain children.
If you own a swimming pool, then there are many other options to entertain the kids. The children’s air beds available now are great. You should also think of setting up a pool for children or a cool slide.
Surely, none of the above-mentioned options can really substitute a splash pad, as the latter is an incredible mix of design, security and a reasonable price.