35 Chicago Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)

We're collecting tips & reviews for the best water parks in Chicago & the suburbs (with a few Wisconsin favorites), to help parents plan a trip with their kids!

Whether you make it a Dells weekend or check out a local waterpark near you, our interactive map helps you find the best option for your family!

From lazy rivers to thrill rides to splash pads, these Chicago waterparks offer fun in the sun for the whole family. Remember indoor waterparks for a year-round option, too.

If you've visited any Chicago water parks, give your favorites a "like" and leave a review to share your tips with fellow parents!


 

    Deep River Waterpark

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     (727.9 mi)

    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.

    Kroc Center Chicago Aquatic Center

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     (759.9 mi)

    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.

    White Water Canyon Water Park (Tinley Park Park District)

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     (769.2 mi)

    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.

    Centennial Aquatic Center (Oak Lawn Park District)

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     (769.5 mi)

    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.

    Skokie Water Playground (Skokie Park District)

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     (772.5 mi)

    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.

    Centennial Park Aquatic Center (Orland Park Recreation & Parks Department)

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     (772.7 mi)

    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.

    Roosevelt Outdoor Aquatic Center (Glenview Park District)

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     (778.0 mi)

    Price

    Budget pick!

    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.

    Centennial Aquatic Center (Park Ridge Park District)

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     (778.8 mi)

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    Budget pick!

    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.

    Flick Outdoor Aquatic Center (Glenview Park District)

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     (780.0 mi)

    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.

    Hidden Creek Aquapark (Park District of Highland Park)

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     (780.0 mi)

    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.

    Mystic Waters (Des Plaines Park District)

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     (781.3 mi)

    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!

    Family Aquatic Center (Wheeling Park District)

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     (786.5 mi)

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    Budget pick!

    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.

    Cypress Cove (Woodridge Park District)

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     (786.8 mi)

    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.

    Rainbow Falls Waterpark (Elk Grove Park District)

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     (788.9 mi)

    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.

    Sea Lion Aquatic Park (Lisle Park District)

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     (790.6 mi)

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    Budget pick!

    Shila:  Lisle Park District's Sea Lion Aquatic Park features a large swim area with zero-depth entry, water slides, a vortex pool, splash playground, and sand and water play areas.

Primary photo:   Raging Waves

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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