At What Age Can Children Go in Hot Tubs?

24 août 2026

Whether you’re enjoying a rented hot tub with friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon or lounging in your own personal spa at home, a hot tub is something the whole family can enjoy.

However, as much fun as a family spa session can be, hot tubs are not suitable for children under 5 years old, and even older kids should be supervised when indulging in such an experience for the first time.

As specialists in the hot tub world, we at Spas Platinum have done our research, and here’s what we found.

At What Age Can Children Go In Hot Tubs?

While there are no legal hot tub age restrictions in the UK, the general consensus among health officials is that children should not go in any hot tub if they are below the age of five.

According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, no under-5s should be in a hot tub.

This is because children’s bodies are not yet able to properly regulate their body temperature, meaning they’ll get dehydrated quickly and could suffer from heat stroke without realising it.

In addition, hot tub water, while not scalding hot for adults, has the potential to burn the skin of young children, which is thinner and more sensitive to temperature changes and impacts.

Can Infants Go In Hot Tubs?

No, infants should not go in hot tubs. Babies are even more susceptible to overheating and burns than toddlers and small children. They are also at greater risk of irritation from sanitiser chemicals (even when your hot tub pH levels are properly balanced). There is also the increased risk of contracting waterborne illnesses should hot tub water be ingested, due to their developing immune systems.

So even if the water has been cooled to the temperature of a warm bath, serious risks are still posed for infants.

Children’s Hot Tub Use Guidance Table

Need a quick guide? We’ve got you. We’ve broken down key age groups, the recommended soak time and the ideal temperature. If your children span different age groups, use guidance for the youngest child.

Age	Ideal Temperature	Soak Time
Under 5	Do Not Use Hot Tub	Do Not Use Hot Tub
5-12 Years	35°C or below	5-10 minutes
13-18 Years	37° -40°	15 minutes
Adults	Any Temperature	30 min max. recommended

What Is The Ideal Temperature For Children In Hot Tubs?

Although recommended hot tub age restrictions in the UK settle on 5 and above being the minimum age at which a child can first enter a hot tub, that’s not to say that it is entirely suitable for them to do so.

For example, high temperatures can still have a sizable impact on children over five, so if you do intend to let them enter a hot tub at this age, then the ideal hot tub temperature is 35 degrees or below, with soaking times kept to 10 minutes at most.

Tips For Children’s Hot Tub Use

We’ve talked a lot about which children shouldn’t use a hot tub, but over 5’s and especially pre-teens can benefit from the mindfulness that comes with hot tub use. Even though the use of a personal spa can be safe, there are still some precautions that should be taken.

Here are our top tips for supervising children in hot tubs:

No children under 5 – not to reiterate our main point, but it goes without saying that no children under the age of five should be allowed in a hot tub, even with adult supervision.
Supervise your hot tub at all times – and speaking of supervision, unless your children are in their teens, you should ideally not let any children use your hot tub unsupervised.
Make your tub even safer– in addition to being present when your children are using your hot tub, you also want to make sure that it’s been set up to be safe during use. This means checking that your shortest child can safely stand at the deepest part of the hot tub with their head above water, as well as introducing hot tub-specific booster seats and armbands so they can sit down or float comfortably.
Stick to short soak times – it’s best to keep to shorter soak times if young children are using a hot tub, with 10-15 minutes per soak being more than enough before they need to exit the water.
Keep the temperature low – as stated before, aim to keep your hot tub temperature to 35 degrees or lower if children are using it to avoid accidental burns.
Have drinks ready – when your children do exit the hot tub, make sure that you have some refreshing drinks ready for them so that they can rehydrate quickly.
Help your children exit – particularly relevant for young children, it’s always best to help kids exit and enter a hot tub for safety purposes, rather than letting them dive in or jump out and potentially hurt themselves.
Keep your tub secure – finally, when not in use, it’s always a good idea to lock your hot tub up with a secure cover and hide away hot tub chemicals so that children can’t access them.

When Should Children Avoid Hot Tubs?

Even if they’re old enough and all the safety precautions have been taken, there can still be instances where children should not use a hot tub. This can be when:

They have any open cuts, grazes or wounds.
They have been running around and playing and haven’t cooled down.
They have a temperature.
They feel unwell.
They struggle to follow safe instructions and pose a risk to themselves or others.

If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to give it a miss and keep your children safe. Looking for an alternative? Try creating a fun bath time experience, with lots of bubbles, toys and even a bath-safe disco light!

Find Your Family Hot Tub Today

And there you have it; hopefully, you should now have a much better idea of whether or not it’s safe for your child to use a hot tub, and at what age your younger children can join their older siblings for a splash.

We’ve got a number of hot tub models ideal for family homes, from large-capacity models like the St Tropez or Oslo Hot Tub to more compact versions for smaller family spaces, like the Spa Capri.

Each of our hot tub models features our Platinum Spas Brand Features, giving our trademark stamp of luxury to each spa. This includes:

Platinum Ever Base et Platinum Ever Frame making a durable structure.
Platinum Illumination for LED lighting effects.
Platinum Superior-Zone advanced filtration.
Platinum Hydromassage, to target sore muscles.
Platinum Melody integrated Bluetooth speakers.

Of course, if you want a colder at-home spa system that your children can use when younger without concern, then you might want to consider investing in a swim spa ou mini pool. Filled with cooler water, it’s the perfect place for kids to enjoy water play and practice their swimming from the comfort of their own home.

If you’re interested in installing a spa system in your home, then why not get in touch with the Platinum Spas team today to find out more, or book a visit to your nearest showroom to see our products in person?

Don’t forget to visit our hot tub owners’ blog as well for more pieces around safe hot tub maintenance and use.

Can Children Go In Hot Tubs – FAQs

Can Children Go In Hot Tubs Over Winter?

Yes, there is nothing wrong with children of a suitable age using a hot tub over the colder months. However, you should take additional precautions around this to minimise the amount of time they are exposed to the elements.

Make sure your children have a warm hat on that they don’t mind getting wet, so that their heads stay warm while using the hot tub.
Have dry towels and clothes close to hand when they step out so they can immediately wrap up warm.
Bring them inside as quickly as possible; don’t let them stand outside to dry.

Which Platinum Spas Hot Tubs Are Best For Family Homes?

The hot tub most suited to your home depends on how many people you need it to hold and how much space you have. We can arrange a free home visit to help assess your space and give any recommendations.

The models most popular with families, thanks to their spacious interior, are:

Can I Use A Hot Tub While Pregnant?

If you’re reading this in advance of a new addition to your family, you might be wondering whether hot tub use is safe for you, too. As with children, there is no official guidance for expecting mothers. However, it is highly recommended that hot tubs not be used during pregnancy.

As well as an increased risk of infection, even from perfectly clear and PH-balanced water, the heat can have a direct impact on your health and the health of the unborn baby. Both mother and baby cannot regulate their temperature properly during this time, so overheating is highly likely.

You can read more here: Your Guide to Hot Tubs and Pregnancy

Can I Add Bubbles To A Hot Tub?

Aside from the bubbles generated by the jets, no additional bubbles should be added from bubble bath or soaps of any kind. This includes water colourants. Even the smallest amount of soap in a hot tub can foam up and cover your garden. This can also affect the filtration and general health of your hot tub.

For added fun during hot tub use, utilise the in-built LED lights to create an atmospheric light show, or play favourite tunes through the in-built Bluetooth speakers.

Are Hot Tubs Suitable For Dogs?

We’ve covered the human members of the family, but what about dogs? In another article: Can dogs go in hot tubs?, we asked Karin Larsson-Bradshaw, trainer and animal behaviourist at The Dog Behaviourist. She had this to say:

“Well, the short answer is no, and there are actually various safety concerns associated with dogs and warm water, from overheating to chemical exposure.”

If your dogs want to be involved in your hot tub use, why not set them up with their own dog-safe paddling pool?