Nothing refreshes on the dog days of summer like a splash, swim or dip. We’ve rounded up 10 places where you can get wet and keep cool this summer.
10 Places to get Wet in Lake County
Try a New to You Pool!
1. Northbrook Sports Center Pool
1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook | (847) 897-6196
This pool features a zero-depth entry, spray fountain, kiddie slide, water slide and family locker rooms. The pool and slides are open daily, please see their website for full schedule.
2. Hidden Creek Aquapark
1220 Fredrickson Place, Highland Park | (847) 433-3170
Daily open swim hours vary and there are family swim hours available. The pool features a brand new playground and splash pad as well as water slides, a drop slide, zero-depth entry and more.
3. Lillian L. Lutz Recreation Center – The Lil’
1195 Half Day Rd., Highland Park | (847) 432-6355
The Lil is open to the public during specific hours when not in use by camps, see the website for a full schedule. The Lil’ pool is heated with two shallow ends, a slide, and an interactive splash pad.
Hit the Beach!
4. Paulus Park Beach
Rte 12, Lake Zurich | (847) 438.5141
The Paulus Park Beach is part of the large Paulus Park. There are two parts to this beach, you can walk down the path and to a small area between the boat launches and paid beach and play in the sand and water for free. For little kids this is perfect and all they need. Bigger kids will want to head over to the beach that includes floating activities, canopies, and bonus! An almost fully shaded splash pad.
5. Jones Island
243 Harvey Ave., Grayslake | (847) 223-7529
This small beach is hidden on Grays Lake and is our go-to stop for low key summer water fun. The beach is unguarded (so swim at your own risk) but pretty shallow. My kids love playing in the sand and splashing in the waves. Bonus there is a playground on the site too. The only downside is that there are no bathrooms or changing areas. This is where the minivan comes in handy – instant changing room! Read Loralie’s profile of Jones Island Park and its recent improvements.
Splash!
6. Village of Lake Barrington
23860 N. Old Barrington Rd. Lake Barrington | ( 847) 886-9071
The Lake Barrington Countryside Park District water spray park and bathroom facility near the tot lot east of the Village Hall parking lot is open during the summer months. This low key open spray park features sprays activated by a personal control and a timing mechanism. Benches and picnic tables are available around the perimeter for chaperones to keep an eye on their children.
7. Splash Pads that do more!
When you have kids that span in age from 2-10, little squirty fountains are only going to appeal to a 1/4 of them. To keep everyone entertained we head to Deerspring Pool for the kiddie splash or to the Mundelein Park District Spray Park. Like Mundelein, Deerspring’s Splash/Spray area offers both small sprayers and a larger structure with canons and slides.
Water at the Park
8. Kracklauer Park
between N. Lake St. (Route 45) and N. Seymour Ave, Mundelein
You head to the playground thinking you’ll have some nice dry fun and well… think again. We learned when we hosted playground tour here last year that the best part of this playground, especially for older nature-loving kids, is hopping over and along the creek that runs through the middle of it.
9. Warren Township Park. We love this park and have told you about its new features. If you are a neat mom, you’ll probably avoid the sandbox anyways but if you don’t let this be your warning. There is a large water play feature and despite the water really only trickling out the kids will be wet and messy when they are done.
Water where you least expect it:
10. Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St., Brookfield
You head out to see the animals and didn’t think to pack a swimsuit, well there is a good chance your kids are going home wet! Right outside The Living Coast is a small (but awesome) splash pad. On hot days there are also misters set up all over the park so really it’s just best that you pack extra clothes. See the website for admission hours and ticket prices and don’t forget you can save on admission by checking out a Museum Adventure Pass.
So head out and cool off! Tell us where you have found water play that you were expecting?
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