Paddling pool tips: how to keep your pool full, warm, clean and covered this Spring bank Holiday Weekend

We can all look forward to some warm weather this upcoming late May bank holiday weekend, and that means it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors and some quality family time.

If the thought of filling the paddling pool – and keeping it warm and clean – fills you with dread, however, then don’t worry as we are here to help. These are some of the best paddling pool hacks to help all parents.

Use a balloon This hack is useful for all those who don’t have a tap adapter. Writing on Facebook page 'Craft n' Creations DIY n' Tips', one mum shared this genius hack. ’Just a little tip for putting hot water in pool without tap adapter. Cut a balloon top off then connect the bit cut to the hose the other end to the tap and away you go, (you) don’t need tape. Works every time. (You) end up with warm pool. If need can use tape around the tap/balloon.” Use a large pan This is a great trick for anyone who doesn’t have an outdoor tap. Writing on Facebook page Extreme 'Couponing and Bargains UK group', one dad shared his solution. He posted a video to the page, which has 1.7 million members, so that parents could easily copy him in their own home in minutes. He started by placing a large pan in his kitchen sink and then said on camera: “All you need to do is get a pan, put your pipe in the pan, run the hot water, get your hose pipe, follow me. “Make sure your hose pipe is lower down than the one in the kitchen, give it a suck and the water will come out and that is hot water. “You don’t need an outdoor hot water pipe or any special contraptions, all you need is a long enough hose and a pan of water, and that will just carry on as hot water and that won’t stop until you put the tap off.”

Use bin bags to keep the water warm Yes, really. This handy hint is useful for everyone as it will stop you from having to make constant trips to the kitchen all day to fill up the kettle and bring out some more warm water to top up the pool when the temperature starts to dip. Originally writing on the Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It Facebook group , one mum said she filled her pool up before covering it in black bin liners. She said: "I did this because I only have a cold outside tap and I was using buckets and the kettle to warm up the pool. ”Within about 45 minutes the water is warm and stays warm all day in the sun." Cover it over at the end of each day One of the big problems with paddling pools is having to empty them and re-fill them at the start and end of each summer’s day. Writing on a Facebook page called 'Bathtime Buddies', one parent explained how they use a fitted sheet to keep their pool full and clean, ready for the next day of play. The fitted sheet, with its elasticated edges, fits over the edges of the pool and can easily be stretched and moulded to fit any size and shape of pool. You can always tuck part of it underneath if you need to as well. If you find a fitted sheet isn’t working as well as you hoped, or you don’t have an old one to hand, how about using some tarpaulin instead.