--- title: "Tips on Keeping a Small Kiddie Pool Clean Without Draining Water (& Some Ways Without a Filter)" date: 2024-06-27 author: "Dan" featured_image: "https://www.testyourownpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/kiddie-pool-hero.jpg" categories: - name: "Maintenance Tips" url: "/category/maintenance-tips.md" tags: - name: "kiddie pool" url: "/game-type/kiddie-pool.md" --- # Tips on Keeping a Small Kiddie Pool Clean Without Draining Water (& Some Ways Without a Filter) Kiddie pools are a great way to have fun and keep your kids cool during the summer months! Like any other pool, a kiddie pool requires maintenance to keep its water as clean and clear as possible. The fun can end very quickly when it ends up like this: ![green kiddie pool from poor water maintenance](https://www.testyourownpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kiddie-pool-green.webp)Image Source: [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/howto/comments/14w44y5/how_to_keep_small_kiddie_pool_water_clean/) Follow these basic maintenance tips to keep your pool clean all summer long! ## Keep the Water Moving as Much as Possible ![water fountain used in a kiddie pool](https://www.testyourownpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kiddie-pool-fountain.webp) Stagnant water will be your worst enemy for a small pool. Water needs to be circulating as much as possible to help promote water cleanliness. Of course, kids playing in the pool is the most fun way to keep that water moving! If your kiddie pool has the ability to utilize a pool pump and filter combination, that is highly recommended. [ ![INTEX Cartridge Filter Pump](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/314x90sRoWL._SL500_.jpg) ](https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Krystal-Cartridge-Filter-110-120V/dp/B00PHWUK2O?tag=testyourownpo-20 "INTEX Cartridge Filter Pump") [ INTEX Cartridge Filter Pump ](https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Krystal-Cartridge-Filter-110-120V/dp/B00PHWUK2O?tag=testyourownpo-20 "INTEX Cartridge Filter Pump") $89.89 [ Buy Now on Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Krystal-Cartridge-Filter-110-120V/dp/B00PHWUK2O?tag=testyourownpo-20 "INTEX Cartridge Filter Pump") We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 05/26/2026 05:02 am GMT There are some creative ways to utilize a pump even without the built-in holes on the side. Check out the video below to get some inspiration. The pump doesn’t have to be running when the kids are playing. If that won’t work, we can innovate in other ways! One idea is to use a solar-powered fountain pump to continuously move water around. [ ![Solar-Powered Fountain Pump](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516GnFMeT1L._SL500_.jpg) ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S3QYTY6/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Solar-Powered Fountain Pump") [ Solar-Powered Fountain Pump ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S3QYTY6/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Solar-Powered Fountain Pump") $14.99 [ Buy Now on Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S3QYTY6/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Solar-Powered Fountain Pump") We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 05/26/2026 12:03 am GMT Again, the goal is to just have the water moving when it isn’t getting used as frequently. ## Brush, Skim, and Vacuum if Necessary ![vacuum used in a kiddie pool](https://www.testyourownpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kiddie-pool-vacuum.webp) Just because you don’t have a “normal” pool doesn’t mean you are off the hook for some manual labor! Get into a routine of skimming the debris off of the top as well as brushing the floor and sides is possible. A rechargeable vacuum is also recommended to get that dirt and debris that can’t be picked up manually. [ ![POOL BLASTER Cordless Vacuum For Small Pools](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31HBNIUeZyL._SL500_.jpg) ](https://www.amazon.com/POOL-BLASTER-Battery-Powered-Above-Ground-Inflatable/dp/B0015UCRXM/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "POOL BLASTER Cordless Vacuum For Small Pools") [ POOL BLASTER Cordless Vacuum For Small Pools ](https://www.amazon.com/POOL-BLASTER-Battery-Powered-Above-Ground-Inflatable/dp/B0015UCRXM/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "POOL BLASTER Cordless Vacuum For Small Pools") $39.99 [ Buy Now on Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/POOL-BLASTER-Battery-Powered-Above-Ground-Inflatable/dp/B0015UCRXM/?tag=testyourownpo-20 "POOL BLASTER Cordless Vacuum For Small Pools") We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 05/26/2026 02:00 am GMT ## Put the Kiddie Pool in Shaded Areas Direct sunlight promotes algae growth and other organic contaminants to start creeping into the water. Set up your pool in a shaded area whenever possible. It doesn’t have to be shaded all day, but just enough to give it a break from the sun every once in a while. ## You Still Need To Keep Your Water Balanced If you plan on not draining the water, it **must** be sanitized and clean enough to swim in. Otherwise, your kids run the risk of swimming in contaminated water. The most important things to consider are [free chlorine](https://www.testyourownpool.com/chemistry/fc) and [pH](https://www.testyourownpool.com/chemistry/ph) levels. You can also add [cyanuric acid (CYA)](https://www.testyourownpool.com/chemistry/cya) to protect your chlorine from the sun. A simple test kit will suffice for a smaller pool! [ ![Taylor K-1000 Basic Kit](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jS00uqkSL._SL500_.jpg) ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NSRD5C?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Taylor K-1000 Basic Kit") [ Taylor K-1000 Basic Kit ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NSRD5C?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Taylor K-1000 Basic Kit") $16.40 Test for Chlorine and pH. [ Buy Now on Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NSRD5C?tag=testyourownpo-20 "Taylor K-1000 Basic Kit") We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 05/26/2026 02:01 am GMT Use our [chlorine calculator](https://www.testyourownpool.com/calculators/chlorine-calculator) to find out how much chlorine you need based on the number of gallons your kiddie pool holds. I recommend using liquid chlorine rather than tablets or granules. ## Cover The Kiddie Pool When Not In Use When the pool is not in use, consider using a cover. This will help keep out leaves, dirt, insects, and most importantly, sunlight. Some pools might have a cover specifically made for it. Otherwise, just using a tarp would be ideal. ## Drain and Refill is The Logical Choice, But Not Always the Right Choice The easy answer here would be to just drain the pool and refill it after each use. While that will definitely get the job done, it isn’t always practical and can be more expensive, depending on water costs and the size of the kiddie pool. When all else fails, however, the most cost-effective way is to just start over. ## Putting The Kiddie Pool Away For The Season Just like with any pool, your pool’s opening for next year starts at the closing. When storing it for the winter, make sure the pool is as clean as possible. Completely deflate and dry the pool thoroughly before storing it. This prevents mold and mildew growth. You can also disinfect the pool with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) before drying. Store your deflated pool in a cool, dry, elevated place away from direct sunlight. ## Enjoy The Summer Swim Season! Maintaining a kiddie pool isn’t difficult. Just stay on top of a few things, and your kids will be having fun all summer. And hey, the more they play in it, the less you have to do!