Our neighbors across the street have an above ground pool. They invite our little kids over nearly everyday to play in it. That includes our 6 year old, who can’t swim, and even the 2 year old. I have resisted letting the 2 year old go to play until the other day. I went over to supervise her pool time, fearful that the water would be over her head.

I needn’t have worried. The water came up to her chest at best, and my toddler happily splashed and played with her water wings on her arms and cube on her back.

The 6 year old played with noodles and kickboards, etc. Periodically, the neighbor kids would throw all the toys out of the pool. The baby started leaving the pool at that point to bring the toys back.

Which brings me to my question. Are above ground pools really for swimming, or are they glorified wading pools?

I remember being a non-swimming child. I was so excited when someone invited me to play in their above-ground pool. The water was shallow, so there was no anxiety about accidentally wading out into the deep end. There is no deep end in these pools.

As a swimmer, I understand that deep water is part of the whole deal with a pool. It’s easier to swim without worrying about stubbing your toe on the bottom of the pool.

So can anyone actually learn to swim in an above-ground pool? Or should we rename them wading pools?