Just mention a trip to the pool to children and they are filled with anticipation of fun in the sun, splashing around with friends for hours in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, trips to the pool are often dependent on weather and don't always fit into busy family schedules. What if you could bring the fun of a pool into your own backyard or basement, but without the inconvenience or mess? Rehabmart offers a variety of ball pits and pools designed to provide hours of fun to kids of all ages. In addition to being colorful and fun places to play, ball pits and pools can be useful therapeutic tools for kids with mental and physical disabilities. Clinical trials using stimulating toys such as ball pits have been shown in some cases to reduce muscular tension, increase circulation in extremities, reduce stress and help improve range of motion.

  

The Dragon Ball Pit is just the right size for babies to explore the fun and stimulation that comes from discovering all the colorful and tactile surprises from this plush ball-filled pillow. On the outside, babies can explore different textures, holes and squeaky spots. Zip the friendly Dragon opens and kids can climb inside its belly and play with 20 colorful balls. The Dragon Ball Pit is machine washable. 

  


An ideal ball pit for toddlers is the Mini-Nest Ball Pool. Made of sturdy foam, this 10 inch high circular pit provides a safe, soft place for youngsters up to age 3 to play to their hearts' content.  The 180 colorful balls included with the Mini-Nest Ball Pool are made of sturdy plastic and the pit itself is covered with resilient vinyl that can be easily cleaned after each use.

  

For toddlers who want to invite a friend to join in on the fun, the Large Corner Ball Pool provides a roomy 32 square feet to play with 750 colorful plastic balls (sold separately). The pool frame is made of high-density foam covered with a strong vinyl that is flame retardant and easy to assemble and clean. Each section of the pool is connected with sturdy Velcro fasteners that are easily taken apart and stored when the fun is done.

  




The free-standing Free-Standing Ball Pool Tower provides ball pit fun both indoors and out. Made of reinforced steel, the fully padded tower includes a colorful canopy to keep out the sun and rain, and the nylon netting keep young ones and 1000 balls safe inside the structure. The Ball Pool Tower will not rust, rot or deflate, even if left outside for long periods of time. The Tower is easy to assemble and provides 4 feet of play space.

  

The Somatron Vibrotactile Tubby Ball Pool offers an inviting and fun sensory stimulation experience. As children immerse themselves in a pool of clear vibrating balls, they feel the comforting effects of gentle music through their entire body while softly changing multicolored lights shine around them. The Somatron Vibrotactile Tubby Ball Pool is constructed of sturdy, padded bacteria-resistant vinyl that is fluid proof, fire resistant, non-allergenic and self-deodorizing. A removable floor pad is covered in "Staph Chek" hospital grade material. It can be connected easily to any stereo or DVD/TV that is rated from 20 to 200 watts of power. The Somatron Vibrotactile Tubby Ball Pool allows a child's body to feel music that is normally only heard. It is a full-body experience that engages all the senses while providing stimulation and relaxation that is so important to foster in special needs children.

  
For an immersive, colorful and stimulating light show, kids will love the LED Interactive Ball Pool. Very much like the Somatron ball pool described above, the low-voltage LED Interactive Ball Pit cycles through eight different colors when activated by switches on top of the pool walls. This ball pit is ideal for those children who need to develop color recognition, motor skills and cause and effect skills. The LED Interactive Ball Pit/Pool is made from durable vinyl and is easy to clean and double stitched to last through years of colorful, wireless lightshows. Two sizes are available: the medium pool is 60 inches wide by 60 inches long and is 26 inches high and the large pool is 87 inches wide by 87 inches long and 26 inches high. Clear balls are sold separately.

No matter which option you choose, ball pits are sure to provide children with hours of stimulating and colorful fun. For special needs children, they provide a brief escape from the world around them for a few moments while providing valuable therapeutic benefits. Although they can't exactly replicate an outdoor pool experience, Ball pits are a great way for kids to do what they do best-having fun immersing themselves in the moment and forgetting their worries for a time. Perhaps if adults could take a lesson from watching kids play, they would have less stress and enjoy life more!

Rachel Huber,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO