Designing Kid-Friendly Shallow Areas in Pools

People love to visit and live in Florida for many reasons, from the stunning beaches to the great people. Outdoor living is the name of the game in the Sunshine State, and what could enhance your outdoor lifestyle more than a swimming pool?

There are more than 1.5 million backyard pools throughout the state. In fact, Florida has the highest number of swimming pools than any U.S. state. But having a home with a pool and making the most of a swimming pool aren’t the same things. That’s why many homeowners look to custom pool designs, especially families with younger children.

Toddlers and beginner swimmers need a more controlled environment where they can splash, play, and explore in safety. Shallow areas provide a place where kids can build water confidence, giving parents peace of mind. If you’re considering designing a kid-friendly shallow area in your pool, here’s how to get started.

Benefits of Shallow Pool Areas

When considering custom pool designs, you may think a kid-friendly area is something that will only be used for a few years. However, when designed well, shallow areas can remain interactive spaces for everyone in the family to enjoy.

While nothing replaces the need for supervision, shallow features provide many benefits, including:

• Increased safety for smaller children
• More freedom with no floatation devices needed
• Less water required to fill the pool
• Less need for stairs, as shallow areas can be pool entries
• Easier maintenance
• Less electricity used for heating

Including shallow areas can also lower the overall cost of pool construction. Deeper pools generally require more work and cost more. In this way, customized shallow areas can help reduce the cost while providing more options for how the pool is used.

Ideas for Shallow Water Custom Pool Designs

Your backyard pool will provide hours of entertainment and family fun. Making the pool fun and safe for everyone in the family is every parent’s priority. These ideas for choosing kid-friendly custom pool designs can give you a starting point.

Shallow Zones

A shallow zone is a place where younger children can stand or sit without being submerged. Shallow zones can also cater to swimmers of all ages by providing a safe and convenient entrance into deeper waters.

Many family-friendly pools use a beach-style or zero-entry slope that mimics a natural shoreline. This can make it easier for everyone to wade in at their own pace. Ideally, a shallow zone should be no more than 12 to 18 inches deep.

Shallow zones allow toddlers and non-swimmers an area to play and grow their water confidence without feeling isolated from older siblings. Include a slip-resistant surface, such as stone or textured concrete, in the shallow zone for extra protection. These materials not only increase safety but also look great.

Splash Pads

Splash pads are interactive spaces that include small fountains, gentle streams, sprayers, and other features for toddlers and young children to enjoy. A splash pad may be separate from the swimming pool or designed as a connecting feature.

Typically, splash pads hold very little standing water, making them one of the safest pool features for toddlers.

Tables With Benches

While they are not designed to be play areas, tables with bench seating create the perfect place for everyone to gather inside the pool. Toddlers can stand or sit on the bench, depending on your design, while using the table. The whole family can enjoy a snack, relax, or play a game without getting out of the pool.

Sun Shelves

A sun shelf is the perfect compromise for parents who want a shallow feature for children but also want their swimming pool to look stylish. Sun shelves are shallow areas at the entrance of a pool where adults can sit comfortably in their lounge chairs and keep an eye on toddlers without getting too wet or too hot.

The Best Custom Pool Designs Include Safety Features

Adult supervision is the best safety feature of all, but secure fencing and other safety designs can help ensure children stay away from the pool and out of danger when no adults are present.

Fences are one of the most common types of security features. A security fence should be at least four feet tall and have no gaps wide enough for a small child to squeeze through. A self-closing gate with a self-latching mechanism that kids can’t reach is also important.

Other custom safety features to consider include:

• Pool alarms
• Safety covers
• Non-slip pool decking
• Slip-resistant pool surfaces
• Safety floatation devices

Florida building codes outline exactly which features residential pool builders must follow. Working with experienced swimming pool contractors who know and follow building codes will save you time, money, and frustration, and it will help keep your children and their friends safe.

Let Tampa Bay Pools Design Your Family-Friendly Dream Pool

Building a family pool is a dream come true for many Floridians. Your investment will pay off in years of healthy outdoor exercise, family bonding, and memories.

Custom pool designs that are specifically for children can make the backyard pool experience more inclusive — and not just for your youngest family members. Don’t be surprised if older kids and adults enjoy cooling off in a splash pad or kicking back on the sun shelf with a cold glass of iced tea.

The team at Tampa Bay Pools can bring your custom pool to life. Whether you want a beach entry, bench seating, or an upgrade of your pool safety features, we can help. Our friendly representatives can walk you through the design and construction process so that you know exactly what to expect.

Contact Tampa Bay Pools today to get your dream product started.