4 family-friendly water parks in Winnipeg

1. Fun Mountain The name says it all! This water park in Winnipeg is one of Manitoba’s best and is, not surprisingly, loads of fun. The whole family can get together and swirl down the Enchanted River, which ends with a big splash. For the little kids, there are three gentle slides with a mini enchanted river at the end. Older kids can twist down Twister or slide with speed down the Cherry Bomb. And the most daring can go whoosh on The Dragon, which is a completely enclosed slide. You won’t know where you’re going until you drop into the splash pool at the very end! There's something for you, too—a massive hot tub to enjoy. If you find yourselves wanting to spend some time out of the pool, there’s plenty of fun at every turn! You and your family can play nine holes of minigolf, bounce around in the Bumper Boats or sit back and glide around on a boat tour. Love the place? You can book your child’s birthday party with affordable packages or even send them there to camp this summer.

Dive in: 804 Murdock Rd—off Highway #1 East 204-255-3910 funmountain.ca

 2. Lilac Resort Need a mini tropical vacation without leaving the country? Well, look no further than Lilac Resort! Just 20 minutes outside of Winnipeg, this resort features two huge pools and multiple waterslides. Your little ones will love the animal shaped slides—they can glide down the frog's tongue or whoosh out of the whale! The double slide is great for older kids, who love a big splash when they land. But the biggest splash comes from the jumbo waterslide—woohoo! Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas make for a comfortable and shaded spot for parents to watch the kids—and for wee ones to nap. There are many other amenities, like volleyball courts, a soccer field, paddleboats and a trout pond. There’s even live entertainment on the weekends, plus game shows and movie nights. Even Spot can join in on the fun thanks to a pet-friendly camp. You can rent an RV, camp-out or stay in a rustic lodge for the length of your visit.

Dive in: Lilac Rd., Ste. Anne 204-422-5760 lilacresort.com

3. Turtle Tide Water Slides Previously known as Thunder Mountain Water Slides, Turtle Tide is the new face of this water park, and it’s better than ever. It’s on Grand Beach, just an hour drive north of Winnipeg, so it's a great spot for a weekend vacation. You and the kids can ride The Bullet—it's only the tallest waterslide in all of Manitoba and you can reach speeds up to 75 km/h! If speed isn’t your thing, you can chill out (literally) on the River Raft Ride with the family and just soak up the sun! Don't forget a hat and sunscreen. For the tiny tots, there are lots of mini waterslides to go down with Mom or Dad, plus a kiddie pool for bubble blowing. With lots of picnic tables around, you can bring your own small cooler of food or eat at one of the restaurants. Just like the Lilac Resort, you can book a stay here by renting an RV or just pitching a tent on the campgrounds. There’s plenty of minigolf and fishing to be done too, so a visit to this water park will be one of the highlights of your kids’ summer!

Dive in: Located next to East Gate entrance to Grand Beach Provincial Park, Grand Beach 204-754-4066 thundermountainwaterslides.ca

4. Clarion Hotel Winnipeg Make this a memory your kids can’t wait to share when they get back to school this fall. The Clarion is home to a dark purple, two-storey slide that is fun for all ages. You'll have a hard time convincing them to get off the slide and take a break. Your kids can splash around in the kiddie pool—motorboat anyone? There's even some cute spray features in the main pool and a waterfall that kids can stick their heads under! And what's more, there's a rock climbing wall, too! The kids will definitely sleep well after a day at the Clarion—which means you can finally get a good night's rest.

Dive in: 1445 Portage Ave., Winnipeg 1-855-216-6393 clarionhotelwinnipeg.com Read more: 6 best outdoor pools in Winnipeg> 3 family-friendly beaches in Winnipeg> 3 best indoor playgrounds in Winnipeg>