PVC-free Kiddie Pools

I have been searching for pools for 4 months now.  I really try to avoid plastic as much as possible but I haven’t found a glass or wooden pool. haha.

There are the #2 (polyethylene) pools at the local department stores but I wasn’t happy with them.  They seemed flimsy in some cases and way too expensive in others.  I did find one I liked but it had an elephant sprinkler in the middle that took up most of the pool.   The ones with slides would be great for an older child but a slide with no sides doesn’t bode well for a year and a half old little.

I was also looking for a pool that 2 toddlers could play in without drowning each other.   Another desire was one with a shade and even maybe one I could sit in with the little because, after all, who wants to sit in the sun in 90 degree weather watching someone else have fun in a pool?

The biggest requirement of all though, was that the pool be PVC-free.

I found that pool at Domestications.  It is on its way to me now, so I can’t give a review but I will add my opinion on it in the comments once we get it set up.

I also like the idea that the pool can be used as a sandbox, as well.   We have an unfinished basement and the idea of a sandbox in the basement for the really cold days this winter sounds like fun, although if I love the pool, I might have to buy a second one for future sandbox use.

The pool is made in India and the canopy is polyethylene like the pool.

Another, more expensive, type of pool that I found are stock tanks.  But since my little is too little to play independantly in deep water, I decided to wait.

I did find another pool company that offers polyethylene, but they seem to have disappeared on me.  If I find them again I will edit the link in.

Step 2 Toys: Made in USA

I was at my oldest’s friends house at a birthday party for her youngest.  When he opened a darling motorcycle and I saw Made in USA on the box, I was shocked.  How sad is that?  The company is Step 2.

I have perused their website and, surprise of surprises, they actually have what kind of plastic they use and information on where their items are manufactured right there in the FAQ’s.  That is so rare.

Their toys are made from low density polyethylene.  Polyethylene is #2 in recycling lingo.  It is BPA-free and PVC-free.  It is considered a safe plastic.

The majority of what they produce is made here in the USA.  They do freely admit that some small parts are made in China and then review their safety guidelines.

Some of the items are available for free shipping from Amazon and they have a store finder on their site.

Their bouncers are made from phthlate-free PVC.

Published in:  on April 22, 2009 at 4:43 AM Comments (2)
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