The Fox’s Den Stanley Park Water Park, Vancouver
The popular Fox’s Den Stanley Park Water Park is located right on the Seawall so it has a great view of the North Shore Mountains. There are lots of sprayers and jets for kids to splash and play as well as a grassy area for picnicking. Admission is free. It’s a short walk to the Lumberman’s Arch concession stand for snacks. Or you can hit the water park after a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium – it’s a 5-minute walk away.
Stanley Park Water Park. Photo: Vancouver Parks, Recreation, and Culture
Second Beach Pool, Stanley Park, Vancouver
If you want the best of both worlds, head to Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park. It has a sloped bottom that mimics a beach entry, but the water is heated. There are also two kid-sized slides. Since spots in the pool are limited, advance reservations are recommended. If you want the real beach experience, you can also go for a dip in the ocean at Second Beach, right beside the pool. There is a concession on-site, a playground nearby, and lots of spots for picnicking, so plan to spend the whole day here.
Photo: Vancouver Park Board/Facebook
Granville Island Water Park, Vancouver
The free Granville Island Water Park has lots of fire hydrants, splash areas, and sprayers. But the stand-out attraction is the waterslide. Kids must be at least 3’6″ to use the slide, and they will want to ride down again and gain. Pick up lunch from one of the vendors at the Granville Island Public Market and enjoy it in the shaded picnic pavilion next to the water park. The Kids Market building is just one block away and is a fun place to shop for kids’ toys, clothing, and more.
Photo: False Creek Community Centre
Hillcrest Aquatic Centre, Vancouver
A legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games, the Hillcrest Aquatic Centre has both indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor pool has a sprayer and bubble jets, perfect for cooling down on a hot day. After your trip to the pool, head across the street to Queen Elizabeth Park for a picnic by the duck pond or a wander through the rose garden. Or walk to nearby Main Street to browse the shops or eat at a cafe.
Photo: Hillcrest Community Centre
Shipyards Splash Park, North Vancouver
Each summer the Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver transforms into the free 8,000 square foot Shipyards Splash Park. There are water jets, splash areas, sprayers, waterfalls, and more. Part of the park is covered, which provides great shade on hot days. With lots of restaurants and boutiques in the Shipyards District and nearby Lonsdale Quay Market, it is easy to grab a snack or do some shopping before getting wet. You can also combine a scenic Seabus ride with a trip to the splash park – the terminal is short walk from the Shipyards.
Photo: TheShipyards.net
Waterslide Parks
If you drive a little ways outside of Vancouver, you can hit up a destination water park. Big Splash Water Slide Park in Tsawwassen south of Vancouver has six waterslides and two tube rides, plus hot tubs and a splash pool. The Aldergrove Community Centre in Langley has a great outdoor water park with waterslides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. East of Vancouver, Cultus Lake Waterpark in Chilliwack has 10 waterslides, a lazy river, mini slides for kids, and lots more. Or visit the Harrison Lake Inflatable Water Park in Harrison Hot Springs which includes an obstacle course, swings, and a cliff jump. The park floats out in Harrison Lake and your ticket includes a shuttle ride on an inflatable tube.
Photo: Big Splash Water Slide Park
More Ways to Cool Off
There are dozens more neighbourhood pools and splash parks in Vancouver and the surrounding cities. Did you know that there are 27 outdoor pools near Vancouver? Or use our list of Vancouver’s best spray parks. It has 12 options to help your family cool down. There are also tons of wading pools, perfect for toddlers.
Connaught Spray Park. Photo: Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Culture
