One of my daughter’s favorite parts of summer is the water – whether it’s swimming, water slides, splash parks, or just getting wet. Check out these Ann Arbor area Pools, Water Parks, and Splash Pads. Fortunately, there are a number of Ann Arbor Swimming Pools and more for kids to get wet and cool off this summer.
All of the places to get wet on our list are open to the public without a membership, but may include an admission charge. Admission fees are noted where needed.
Outdoor Pools
Nothing says summer like a lazy day at the local pool. There are several outdoor pools in the Ann Arbor area including the three City of Ann Arbor pools. Note that the City of Ann Arbor pools have a price increase for 2026.
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Water Parks
Take it a step beyond the pool and visit a local water park. Enjoy slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and more fun at various local water parks.
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Lakes
Michigan is the Great Lakes state – so lakes are an obvious swimming choice. Sterling State Park in Monroe offers swimming on Lake Erie, or visit one of the many inland lakes near Ann Arbor. Check out our list of the Best Swimming Lakes near Ann Arbor.
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Spray Scapes
The long wait for an Ann Arbor Splash Pad may be over in 2026. Ann Arbor is adding one to Bicentennial Park (originally called Southeast Area Park). I’ve driven by several times in spring 2026 and construction is progressing. Hopefully it will open during Summer 2026.
Leslie Science and Nature Center’s nature playground has a Waterplay feature. It is closed seasonally from November-spring. Once warm weather is here to stay in the spring they open the waterplay feature (still listed as closed on April 27, 2026).
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A Splash Playground or spray scape is a great way for young kids to get wet. Rolling Hills has a splash playground as part of the water park. Blue Heron Bay is mostly a splash playground, but has a slide tower so we have it classified as a water park.
Milan has a splash playground at Wilson Park and there are several in Canton and Plymouth.
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Plymouth Sprayscape at Township Park
The Plymouth Sprayscape is 2600 square feet and includes 24 water features.
The park also boasts a wooden play structure that resembles a fort. The kids always have a great time letting their imaginations run wild as they explore the structure.
At a Glance
Address: 46640 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth
Hours: 10a-7:30p
Season: Saturday of Labor Day-Memorial Day
Price: FREE!
Canton Heritage Park
Canton Heritage Park‘s is large park adjacent to Summit on the Park. The Splash Playground is near Summit on the Park Community Center with the Heritage Hideout playground is a short walk away, but not within sightlines.
We visited once years ago with a group when my daughter was not a big fan of Splash Playgrounds. At the time, my impression was that the splash playground was fairly small.
At a Glance
Address:1150 South Canton Center Dr, Canton
Hours: 11a-8p
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Price: FREE!
Flodin Park
Flodin Park in Canton features a splash pad and a playground.
While I haven’t been to Flodin Park yet, I love that the splash pad and playground right next to each other. My daughter was not as big of a fan of the splash pads as her friends and we would often be alone at the playground. With the proximity of the playground and the splash pad, parents can supervise both from the same spot.
Checkout this profile of Flodin Park from Metro Detroit Mommy.
At a Glance
Address:43399 Saltz Rd, Canton
Hours: 11a-8p
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Price: FREE!
Free Parks for Splashing
Our Parks for Splashing article includes free admission parks that have creeks, rivers, or lakes. These parks offer splashing all year with no admission fees! Be sure to check conditions – for high water or for any contamination.
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Go Tubing!
Tubing is another great way to get wet. We love tubing the Argo Cascades. You will definitely get wet and it an be quite a workout to stay in the current. For a more relaxing tubing experience, you can tube from the bottom of the cascades to Island Park. Tubing to Delhi Metropark is another relaxing tubing experience. You can start from Dexter-Huron Metropark or we started from Zeeb Rd (there is a small lot where the river crosses Zeeb.
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Get Wet at Home!
Getting wet at home is always fun – and can be very inexpensive.
There is no end to the ways that kids can get wet at home. Some ideas are to break out the sprinkler, water guns, sponges, water balloons, kiddie pool, slip & slide, and so much more. When my daughter was a preschooler, I even filled her sled with water to give her a place to play with boats and splash a little. It was easier to fill and move than a kiddie pool since it doesn’t hold as much water and is designed to slide.
Indoor Pools
Check out our Indoor Pool Guide for indoor swim options. Indoor Pools include Mack Pool, Goldfish Swim School, Meri Lou Murray Rec Center, and Saline Rec Center.
It also includes indoor water parks like Splash Universe and Splash Village.It does not include pools that are only accessible to those with memberships..
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