Splash Pad 101

Splash (3)

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.

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Hayley Clyburn
Hayley has been married to her high school sweetheart, Andrew, for 5 years. They have boy/girl twins, Andley and Silas who are two and are very toddleresque these days. Hayley has been blessed with the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, which is something she is extremely grateful for. She is an Okie, born and raised and has her bachelors degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. She is a cloth diapering, baby food making, semi-crunchy mama who enjoys spending time with family and friends, drinking coffee, going to Target, cooking and crafting.

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