Best Toddler Ball Pits
Below, you will find our top picks when it comes to ball pits your toddler will love. You will find a variety of styles included, as well as different cartoon characters sure to be popular with your toddler.
Round Foam Ball Pit
This foam ball pit is an excellent choice for babies and toddlers. It is completely safe to use, as it is made from high-quality and soft materials. With a diameter of around 31 inches, toddlers can lie down and relax, or two younger babies can sit side by side. The depth is 13 inches, so it can be filled nice and deep for your child to enjoy even more.
There are three colors available for this baby ball pit; light pink, light blue, or grey. The bottom and the side of the pit are seperate pieces, which are easily connected with a zipper. This also means it can be stored away easily if not in use. The cover is removable, so it can be washed in the washing machine in the event of any spillages or accidents.
Paw Patrol Ball Pit with Lookout Tower
This inflatable toy is an excellent choice for fans of Paw Patrol! It comes with the Lookout Tower in the middle, which toddlers can use to roll balls down. This is great for developing hand-eye coordination and is also loads of fun! There are 50 balls included to get started with, although we suggest adding more to make it really fun for your little one.
The Paw Patrol pool is perfect for those aged 2 years old and above, and offers plenty of play space for them. Once inflated, it holds the air well so you don’t need to worry about constantly refilling it. It can be inflated using a pump to make the process even quicker. Toddlers will have hours of fun pretending they are in Adventure Bay with this great toy!
Play Tent and Tunnel Bundle
This prince and princess ball pit is a great choice for families with more than one child or those who often have friends over for playdates. There is loads of space inside the tents, which means older children can join in on the fun too. What’s more, this set comes with dressing up costumes for kids to enjoy some role playing fun whilst in the tents. There is a cape and mask for little superheroes as well as a set of fairy wings and a wand.
This set can be used on it’s own or with the addition of kids ball pit balls. The tents are easy to set up, and can be folded away and stored in the included zipper carrying bag when not in use. The material used in the construction of the tents and tunnel is soft and breathable mesh. So, you can be sure your kids will be safe when they’re playing in here.
Paw Patrol Inflatable Ball Pit
This blow up ball pit has holes in the side for kids to practice their motor skills by passing balls through from one side to the other. They are also ideal for peeking out – something toddlers will love to do over and over again! Balls can also be tossed through the open roof, and there is a clear panel on one side of the tent to keep an eye on your child.
The Paw Patrol ball pit comes with 20 balls to get started, so you toddler won’t have to wait to start playing. Of course, the more balls you add, the more fun they will have! The fun character graphics will keep any young Paw Patrol fan engaged and amused time and time again. This product is ideal for younger toddlers, as it is quite small. This also means it’s ideal for those who haven’t much free space in the playroom.
Minnie Mouse Ball Pit with Slide
This Minnie Mouse toy looks great and is sure to delight any young girl who is a fan of the popular Disney character. They will be drawn to the cute and colorful graphics straight away! Inside, there is a large play area which can comfortably accommodate a toddler aged 2 years old or above. You’ll find 50 balls included with this product, which is a good number to start out with.
The inflateable toy is sure to provide hours of fun. Toddlers will simply love putting balls at the top of the slide and watching as they wind down to the bottom before landing in the tent beside them! A foot pump can be used to make inflation easier. It can just as easily be deflated to allow for easy storage.
Jungle Gym Playset with Slide
This is one of the best ball pits for toddlers – it is full of fun features they will just love! Not only is there a ball pool, there is also a slide which is accessed using a small climbing frame. 50 colorful balls are also included to get started, although it is much more fun after adding a few hundred more. Toddlers between the ages of 1 – 3 years old will love this set.
The ball pit with slide is perfect for using indoors and it will keep your little one amused for hours on a rainy day! It’s a great way to keep them active and will help strengthen the muscles too. There is also a toss target to help improve coordination skills. All parts of this toy are durable and made to last. For example, there are self-locking springs and interlocking plastic tubes, meaning you can be sure your toddler is safe when they are playing.
Six-Sided Ball Tent
This ball pool for toddlers is an excellent choice for those looking for something for a tent large enough for more than one child. At 56 inches wide, this is the best choice when it comes to internal size! Additionally, this tent is really easy to set up and to store away. Parents will love how durable the tent is, and it is also easy to clean thanks to the wipeable fabric.
The mesh sides on this ball tent are ideal for ensuring breathability and also allow you to keep a close eye on your child as they play. It is recommended to add around 400 balls to fill the tent nice and deep for your little one to enjoy. No balls are included with this one.
Pop Up Playhouse Tent
This is a great indoor ball pit which comes with a basketball hoop for even more fun! Kids will love crawling through the tent and making up fun games to play in it. There is the option to have the tent without the hoop, andanother option to add pegs for outdoor use.
The small ball pit for toddlers includes 100 balls so it is ready to use straight away. Of course, more can be added if required. Storing this tent is easy, it simply needs folded away ready for the next use.
Kiddey Ball Play Tent
This cute and colorful indoor play tent for toddlers comes with mesh sides for breathability and safety. There are no balls included, so it can simply be used as a play tent too. If you do wish to use it as a ball tent, 300 is the ideal number of balls to fill it.
This tent can also be used for outdoor play, as it has wipe-clean, durable fabirc. However, don’t leave it set up outdoors when not in use. The tent features a roll-up fabric door which can be tied open or closed over when your child wants to hide! Parents will love how quick and easy the tent is to assemble. It even comes with a zippered bag for convenient storage when not in use.
Mickey Mouse Inflatable Tent
This Mickey Mouse ball pit is perfect for toddlers – everyone loves Mickey Mouse! They will instantly be drawn to the fun graphics and bright and bold colors. Kids will love seeing all their favorite characters here! It comes with 20 balls to get started with. It is easy to climb in and out, and toddlers can even toss balls out through the roof! There are peek-a-boo windows on one side, which can also be used to toss balls through.
The inflatable ball pit for toddlers is simple to set up, and will stay inflated well without needing to be topped up often. It also folds down to a compact size once deflated, so it can easily be stored away if necessary.
Pink Princess Tent
This cute girls ball pit is the perfect gift for any little princess! It is ideal for girls between the ages of 1 – 8 years old, so it is sure to last a long time. Youngsters will love hiding out in their princess tent – it gives them their own private space to relax and play.
The tend comes with a roof which is detachable. This means the tent can be used outside to keep the sun off your child. There is also a door which can be tied up to allow easy access, or closed for more privacy. The sides of the tent are made from a transparent gauze material which ensures breathability and allows you to watch your child as they play.
Benefits of Ball Pits
Relaxing
If your toddler has had a busy day or is on the verge of a meltdown, let them lie back in their ball pool and just relax! You can even play some calming music. Most kids love the sensation, and it might save you from having to deal with the stress of another tantrum!
Social Skills
Toddlers can practice their social skills if they are sharing the ball pool with another child. Teach them not to throw balls at other kids nor to grab them from others.
Hand-eye Co-ordination
What are the Different Types of Ball Pool?
There are a few different styles, as you have seen in our reviews above. Some are tents, others are inflatable structures. Each type comes in a variety of different themes so you are sure to find something to appeal to your toddler’s tastes.
Should I Get a Tunnel Too?
Toddlers love crawling through tunnels, and this is also beneficial in terms of strengthening their muscles. Some ball pits aren’t compatible with tunnels because of the shape of their enterance. Others are designed to be used with tunnels – in fact, some come with tunnels included as part of a package deal. If space and budget allows, we’d definietly recommend getting a tunnel too.
Are Ball Pools Best for Indoor or Outdoor Use?
Most are designed for indoor use due to the materials used. There are some which are ideal to use outdoors, however, they are not designed to be left out overnight or when not in use. If it’s a nice day, taking your ball tent outside is a great way to get some fresh air whilst still keeping your toddler shaded from the sun.
Should I Choose a Pop-Up or Inflatable Style?
Both styles have their advantages and drawbacks, and it is mainly personal preferance which will dictate which type you should choose. Pop up ball pits can be set up instantly, and they don’t take up much space when being stored away. Inflatable styles take a little longer to set up and can be quite durable, but take care to keep away sharp objects to avoid punctures.
Considerations When Buying a Ball Pool
Size
The size of the toy should be considered first – it won’t be much fun if you don’t have space to set it up! Think about where you plan to put it and double check it will fit comfortably. Also make sure your toddler will fit inside with space to play. Some ball pools are very small inside, so if your child will be sharing it with a friend it might be best to choose something bigger.
Features and Extras
Look at what features the ball pool has. Some come with balls included which saves you having to buy them elsewhere. Others feature fun slides or basketball hoops to make playing more fun for your child. On the other hand, many kids are happy with a basic ball pool which they will fill with their own toys and stuffed animals!
Materials
Double check the materials used to make the ball pool are both safe and durable. As discussed above, decide whether you prefer an inflatable style or a pop-up one, or perhaps foam might be the best option. It’s a matter of personal preference ultimately.
Portability
Safety Considerations
Safety is very important when buying any toys or products for children. Make sure current safety standards are met and that no harmful materials are used in the construction of the product. Check other parent’s reviews before buying too.
Overall Best Pick
There are so many great options to choose from, but we like the Jungle Gym with Slide the best. It has the most features so will keep toddlers busy for longer compared to other models. It offers excellent value for money, and can help kids learn and practice many important and valuable skills.
Whichever model you choose, ensure you also buy plenty of plastic balls for ball pit use to maximize the fun your toddler has with their new toy.
