Planning an activity that you’ve yet to experience with your little ones is a funny thing. As frivolous as it sounds, I remember the first time I was preparing to take my kiddos to the splash pad and it was slightly equivalent to the first day at a new school or job.
What do I wear? Shorts and a shirt, capris and a shirt or a swimsuit? The little ones wear swimsuits, of course. But as a mom what do I wear?
Are swim shoes for the kids necessary? What if they scrape their toes while running? What about all the germs?
Should I anticipate getting drenched myself?
I thought I was the only person who could possibly have so many questions about an activity that is suppose to be so simple and fun.
Then I started planning play groups at the local splash pad and quickly received a lot of questions from other moms like myself.
Maybe it’s because splash pads are a more recent concept. We didn’t have them growing up, we had pools and of course everyone wears a swimsuit at the pool, shoes usually aren’t worn and you’re absolutely going to get wet.
Well the answers are just as simple for a splash pad…
- Wear what you feel comfortable wearing. If that’s a bikini, great. If it’s a t-shirt and shorts, great.
- As for swim shoes, it’s really a personal preference. Most kids will be barefoot, mine will be in swim shoes because let’s be honest the thought of scraped up toes freaks me out a little.
- Just remember you’re likely going to get wet, whether it’s by accident or because your little one is too scared to play in it without you. Be prepared, get out there and make some memories.
As with all water activities, here are some other splash pad essentials:
- Sunscreen
- Swim diapers
- Towels
- Dry clothes
- Wet bag for swimsuits
- Drinking water
- Snacks
- Sun hats
- Sunglasses
OKC Area Splash Pads
Oklahoma City 10am-8pm
- Douglass Park
- EB Jeffrey
- Harvest Hills Park
- Lippert Park
- Macklanburg Park
- McCracken Park
- McKinley Park
- Melrose Park
- Memorial Park
- Minnis Lakeview Park
- North Highland Park
- Reed Park
- Shilling Pool
- Sellars Park
- Taylor Park
- Wiley Post Park
- Youngs Park
Edmond 11am-7pm
- Barnett Splash Pad
Choctaw 8am-8pm
- Bouse Park/Alexis Clark Water Park
Midwest City 10am- dusk
- Lions Park
Moore 10am-8pm
- Apple Valley Park
- Parmele Park
Norman 10am-2pm & 4pm-8pm
- Andrews Park
- Colonial Estates Park
Yukon 9 am – 9 pm
- Sunrise Park
Extra tip… get there as soon as they open! It’s cooler and typically less busy.