Hottest Spots for Cooling Down--Water Parks and Splash Pads

Waterpark season has arrived!

Grape Land Lazy River

Every year in March local waterparks begin to re-open in preparation for the hottest time of the year in South Florida...SUMMER! Kids are out of school and families are desperate to keep them cool and entertained. South Florida has everything from pools to splash pads to major water parks to choose from. If you have a summer baby who will be celebrating a birthday, having a gathering at the local watering hole will make him the most popular kid on campus come Fall. Bring the cake and the sunscreen and the party takes care of itself practically!

South Florida Finds has found the top spots for water play in the area. We’ve categorized them by size, cost and the all important “fun factor”.

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Small Impact on the Wallet and Small in Size

These spots are great for an impromptu trip to cool off. They are either FREE or super affordable. Keep a bag of towels, swimwear, and sunscreen in the car so you’re ready to just pop by on a hot day and refresh the entire family. These are the best spots, by county, and usually are located within municipal public parks. Many of these places have so much more to offer than just their water activities. Splash Pads are wonderful for smaller children under the age of 8 who may not be so confident in their swimming ability. Bring snacks and drinks, you may want to spend most of your day!

FUN FACTOR: ENJOYABLE & LOW KEY

Splash Pad

PALM BEACH: SPLASH PADS

1) John Prince Park - Lake Worth
Large lakeside park with pavilions, large splash pad and accessible play areas.

2) Congress Avenue Barrier Free - Boynton Beach
Wonderful new park that is fully accessible. Fun playground equipment, splash pad and pavilions

3) Patch Reef Park - Boca Raton
Amazing playground just renovated with shady splash area and pavilions.

BROWARD: SPLASH PADS & POOL

1) Charnow Park - Hollywood
Gorgeous beach-front park with splash pad and playground

2) Coral Springs Sportsplex Aquatic Center - Coral Springs
FEE: $3-$4 per person
Huge Aquatic Center with diving boards, splash pad, and multiple pools.

MIAMI-DADE: SPLASH PADS & POOLS

1) South Pointe Park - Miami Beach
Waterside splash area surrounded by a magnificently landscaped park in a picturesque locale

2) Milander Park - Hialeah
FEE: $
Aquatic Complex with a wet tot lot and multiple swimming pools.

MONROE: SPLASH PAD & POOL

1) Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Islamorada’s Founders Park - Islamorada
FEES for pool & park: $
Located in the waterside park in Islamorada this Aquatic Center features an olympic sized pool and splash pad for tots.

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A Little Bang for your Buck

Spend a little money to get into these water play areas and enjoy a little bit more excitement for the kids. These spots may also be good for children who still aren’t skilled in their swimming or for parents who are a little wary of those bigger water parks. These are guarded well and generally safer than those mega water attractions with kids of all ages running everywhere (including adults). In this category, there are colorful water playgrounds and pools with some water slides. They are best suited for children ages 3 to about 10.

FUN FACTOR: GRINNING EXCITEMENT

PALM BEACH:

1) Wellington Aquatics Complex - Wellington FEE: $

Large pool with multiple water slides

2) Lake Lytal Park & Family Aquatic Center - West Palm Beach FEE: $

Large pool with water slides and water playground

BROWARD: SEASONAL WATERPARK PASSES AVAILABLE!

1) Quiet Waters Park Splash Adventure Water Park - Deerfield Beach FEE: $

Kids will love climbing around this water playground and the excitement of the dumping bucket. Funbrellas available to rent.

2) Central Broward Regional Park Tropical Splash Water Park - Lauderhill FEE: $
Water blasters, spiral slide, water playgrounds for small & big kids, and a dumping bucket

3) Castaway Island Water Park at TY Park - Hollywood FEE: $

This wonderful large park is crowned with this water park that has a large water playground and a zero-entry swimming pool

MIAMI-DADE:

1) Grapeland Heights Water Park - Miami FEE: $

Lazy River, pool and water playground as well as a nice sized park to enjoy

2) McDonald Aquatic Center - Hialeah FEE: $

Wave pool, lazy river, water playground and funbrellas to rent

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Big Bucks for A BIG Bang

In all fairness, not all of these options will take a chunk out of your bank account, but a few will. Check online for coupons or consider going at a later hour for a discounted rate. A few of the publicly run water parks offer discounted seasonal passes. These water parks will blow your flip flops off with the variety of fun offered and are great for kids of all ages.

FUN FACTOR: WOW!