Splash Pad Benefits and Safety Tips

Is there anything more fun that playing in the water on a hot day?

Even though they have existed for decades, splash pads have been popping up everywhere as an alternative to local pools in many cities and towns all over the world. They are typically located at shopping malls, public parks, water parks, resorts, and gyms.

This post is a part of the get outside and connect series. Click on the link to learn more about it.

Splash Pad Benefits and Safety Tips

A splash pad (or spray pool) is a recreation area with water spraying nozzles of various kinds with little or no standing water. They are an easy alternative to swimming pools for many families concerned about water safety. Because there is no standing water, the need for lifeguards or other supervision is reduced, and there is little risk of drowning.

Splash Pad Benefits and Safety Tips

There are lots of benefits to splash pad play, and even though they are a lot safer than pools and other open bodies of water, there are still many things to keep in mind to keep your kids safe while having fun.

How to Find a Splash Pad Near You

Most communities have a park with a splash pad. Splash-pads are typically located at shopping malls, public parks, water parks, resorts and gyms.

If you don’t know where your local splash pad is do a Google search. Enter “splash pad” plus the name of your city.

If there are none in your town search nearby towns and cities. I’m sure you will find one that is not too far away.

Benefits of Splash Pad Play

Besides the benefits of cooling down and getting much-needed exercise, there are many other great reasons to play at a splash pad.

Water play provides a rich sensory experience for the developing child. Playing with water is important for your child’s sensory integration and development. Splash pads provide a great way to do this.

While they are busy having fun, kids can also begin to learn about and experiment with the physics of water as the different nozzles turn on and off.

It is not necessary to teach them anything. Just allow them to observe, experiment, and learn while they play.

Splash Pad Safety Tips

Although my husband and I are both ocean lifeguards ready to handle any water related emergency, we appreciate the break that going to the splash pad provides. Little to no standing water and non-slip surfaces make slash-pads safe environment to play in.

We can watch our daughter enjoying herself having fun with other kids playing in the water without as much concern for her safety — a welcomed break for any caregiver.

Keep your kids safe while having fun at the splash pad with these simple tips:

• Keep an eye on your kids to make sure they are safe and playing ‘nice.’
• Make sure the splash pad that you use treats the water to keep it safe for everyone to enjoy. Untreated water can lead to illness.
• Bring lots of water to drink. Active kids need a lot of water on a hot day.
• Tell your little ones not to drink the water or they might think the nozzles are water fountains.
• Have your kids use the bathroom frequently and change soiled diapers immediately to cut down on the risk of contamination.
• Use a chemical free sunscreen and re-apply often.

Kids can have fun, learn, stay cool, and keep safe on a hot day at a splash pad. For alternatives to splash pad play see water-wise sprinkler play and 25 Beach Safety Tips from an Ocean Lifeguard Mom.

This post is a part of the get outside and connect series. Click on the link to learn more about it.

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