Don’t “die” from heat this summer. If your budget is tight and you don’t have enough to visit the huge water parks like Big Surf and Wet ‘n’ Wild, you’re tired of going to the same places or because your family’s safety is very important, we give you 21 options for you to enjoy -alone or accompanied- parks with water for free or at very low cost, in the Phoenix area.

From Chandler to Buckeye there are wading pools, water jets, “beaches”, slides, Olympic size pools and many more attractions. Some places also offer summer courses, swimming teams and programs, as well as water aerobics, diving and even prizes such as phoenix pool demolition.

Enjoy this guide to the best wading pools, parks and aquatic centers in the Valley, with addresses, hours and admission, so you can start planning your visit this summer and cool off with family or friends.

Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center

The entrance and water features is just the beginning; the complex has a lazy river, two water slides, a whirlpool and an interactive structure that includes two slides for children, water guns, valves, and its great attraction, the “Big Blue”.

Parents can enjoy the pool furniture and great shade. The center has Swim Programs and Events that are available online.

Desert Oasis Aquatic Center

You can take your children to the wading pools. Children can enjoy pools, slides, slides, and much more. When: Pre-season May 19 and 20 from 12 to 5 pm, May 25 from 10 am to 5 pm, May 26 to 29 from 12 to 5 pm and regular season from May 29 to August 7 from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wading Pools in Chandler

At Desert Breeza Park, kids can sit atop three dolphins and an elephant, and three spouting fountains. 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd.

In Espée Park, the children’s pool area has a tower that pours from below, in addition, three fountains in the shape of candy cane make children have fun and cool off. 450 E. Knox Rd.

Nozoni Aquatic Center offers kids a pool, slides, playground, and more. 250 S Kyrene Rd. (Between Chandler Blvd. and Loop 202).

Goodyear Community Park

The wading area is very spacious. It has colored arches that spray water from below for children to run through. A feature of this park is that the buckets fill automatically and rotate to land on the heads of visitors. There is also a large skating rink where older children can do tricks.

The wading area is very spacious. It has colored arches that spray water from below for children to run through. A feature of this park is that the buckets fill automatically and rotate to land on the heads of visitors. There is also a large skating rink where older children can do tricks.

Cityscape

Can’t your little one sit still for nine innings at Chase Field? Don’t worry, there is another alternative: CityScape, which has a children’s pool area. This urban oasis is the perfect place to cool off after visiting the shops, restaurants or a museum. Parents can supervise their children from the shade and in comfortable chairs.