The Best Water Activities for Kids to Cool Down

Do the kids need a break from the summer sun? Do you need a break from the kids inside? Check out this curated list of the area's pools and splash pads in the Raleigh Durham area. 

 

Check out the Fuquay-Varina Splash Pad 

• Fuquay’s splash park is 6,000sq ft of fenced-in water happiness for all ages!  Featuring the large green bucket that fills up and dumps like a big waterfall every few minutes. 
• Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm in summer months
• Only $2 per person or free for Fuquay-Varina residents

 

Visit one of Raleigh's 8 Aquatic Centers

• Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, featuring a lazy river and 3 tiered water slide

  • Millbrook Exchange Pool, featuring a wading/ "kiddie" pool and a spray ground area

  • Pullen Aquatic Center, featuring a high dive and many classes

  • Optimist Pool, featuring an Olympic size swimming pool and many classes

  • Biltmore Pool, featuring a 12 foot deep end and a wade pool

  • Lake Johnson Pool, featuring a large spray ground and wade pool

  • Longview Pool, featuring a wade pool 

  • Ridge Road Pool, featuring a 12 foot deep end and large spray ground

  • Check out the individual center's website for admission prices and hours 

Or one of Durham's Aquatic Features

• East End Park Sprayground, free and open daily from 10am-8pm through September

• Edison Johnson Aquatic Center,  featuring a spray ground area and 8 lane indoor lap pool

• Forest Hills Park Sprayground, temporary closed for 2021 season

• Hillside Park Pool, featuring a spray ground area and free for Durham residents

• Long Meadow Pool, featuring a waterslide and enjoy free admission on Mondays

Head over to Wake Forest to cool down

• Taylor Street Park Sprayground, featuring the “bucket trio,” three brightly colored buckets that fill up with water and empty every few minutes on whoever is below. Plus it's free and open to the public. 

• Holding Park Aquatic Center, just opened in 2021 and features 2 water slides, a 25 yard lap pool and children's pool. The admission prices are as little as $2/child depending on age and Wake Forest residency. 

   

  

  Chill out in Chapel Hill at one of their 3 pools

  • Community Center Indoor Pool, featuring a 6 lane 25 meter indoor pool with zero-depth ramp entry

  • A.D. Clark Outdoor Pool , featuring a 4 lane lap pool and best of all, admission is free

  • Homestead Aquatic Center, featuring a 10 lane 25 yard lap pool
    

  

  Jump over to Jack Smith Park Sprayground in Cary

  • With seven water features and great for ages 12 and younger. The park also features a playground, dog park, greenway trails, large covered picnic area and more. 

  • Open 10am-8pm daily through September 

  Are you looking for a neighborhood with a community pool or maybe even your own private pool? Reach out today, so by next summer you won't have to worry about your kids being too hot.