35 Chicago Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)

Alexandra F.:  This is one of the larger parks in the area. Slides range from a multi-lane smooth mat slide, to a free falling tube slide at 35 mph. Additional attractions include a lazy river, sand beach volleyball, large wave pool, water playground, and play areas designed just for little ones to safely splash and spray.

The Aquatic Center at the Kroc Center includes (8) 25-yard lap lanes, 2 diving boards, lazy river, giant waterslide, and zero-depth play area.

Lisa R:  Thrill-seeking kids will love the 3-meter drop slide and diving board while little kids enjoy the interactive play area, zero-depth entry pool, sand play, and spray pad. Everyone can enjoy the 600-ft lazy river.

Lisa R:  Centennial Aquatic Center features a 42' open flume water, 32' drop slide, diving board, wading pool, splash pad, and sand volleyball court. The city of Oak Lawn boasts a separate splash pad and spray park, too.

Alexandra F.:  Centennial Park Aquatic Center offers a zero-depth pool with a water play feature for younger children, various slides, a cliff jump, and a lazy river with waterfalls. Two of the larger slides are a 328-foot tube slide and a 200-foot flume slide.

Shila:  Skokie Water Playground features a 14,000 square foot main pool with zero-depth beach entry and, on the other side, an elaborate splash pad area with drenching dump buckets. There's also a separate water slide area, plus a separate water spray ground to run through.

Lisa R:  Families with kids of all ages can easily spend an entire day at this large aquatic center run by the Glenview Park District. In addition to a traditional 5 lane, 25-yard lap pool, this complex has a giant zero-depth entry island themed pool with multiple water play features. Big kids will love the water drop slides and three meter diving platform.

Lisa R:  Families will appreciate the zero-depth entry water play and enclosed toddler areas. Big kids like the flume slides, water basketball, and 3-meter diving board. An on-site concession stand as well as turf and sheltered picnic areas make it easy to stay all day.

Alexandra F.:  This five-pool water park complex features a high-energy, interactive spray area and splash down pool for their two giant flume slides.

Shila:  Mystic Waters features giant water slides, drop slides and cliff dives for the thrill seekers, and a 550-foot lazy river for those in need of a break! For young tots, the Beluga Beach splash pad area features water-spray stands on a non-slip surface and a jungle gym. The Island Café offers lunch, snacks and ice cream; though, coolers are allowed too!

Kristy Pepping:  Key features include: two water slides (winding and drop slides), water playground and splashpad, zero-depth entry, a tot slide, six-lane lap pool, and diving board.

Alexandra F.:  Woodridge Park District's Cypress Cove is a Cajun-themed aquatic park featuring 3 water slides, spray playground with giant dumping buckets, 600-foot lazy river, sand play area, zero-depth pool, concessions and more.

Wheeling Park District's Family Aquatic Center features a water playground with large tipping bucket, tube and body slides, 2 drop slides, zero-depth main pool, splash pool with water basketball and monkey bar activity pad, toddler slide, and sand play area.

Shila:  Bolingbrook Park District's Pelican Harbor features 4 water slides, lazy river, splash pad, beach volleyball, sand play area, lounge chairs, and a zero-depth entry pool.

Alexandra F.:  Elk Grove Park District's Rainbow Falls Waterpark features a tropical-themed facility with a zero-depth pool, lazy river, various body and tube slides, cargo net lily pad leap course, and a three-story water fun house with a giant bucket drop.