This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I recently posted about how we are in the process of teaching Annie to swim (aka getting comfortable in the water) this summer. It’s about a month into pool season down here and things are going really well! She’s blowing bubbles, kicking and splashing her way through summer. This season, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to team up with SwimWays through Lone Star Looking Glass this season to help raise awareness on the importance of teaching young children to swim as well as to promote water safety. These are two things that are very near and dear to this former lifeguard’s heart!
On that note, I not only am sharing deets on our favorite tool for water safety (the Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy pictured above) but I’m also rounding up all of the different places in Houston where you can take your kids to cool off this summer! Many of which are completely free! Head on down for more…
The mermaid in me sure is glad that my little girl loves the water just as much as I do! We’ve been to many different pools and splash pads this summer and I feel like Annie gets more and more excited each time we go! Childhood sure is an amazing thing. Can you imagine smiling so big for a solid 20 minutes because you’re just that happy to be at the pool!?
When we head to the pool, we always bring along our Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy by SwimWays. I love that it comes with a 50+ UPF sun protection canopy … which you positively need here in Houston! The detachable play station also comes with toys that keep Annie entertained in the water, including a rattle, stacking rings & even a teether! But one of my favorite features is the fact that it can fold flat & compact to tote easily to and from the pool.
Swimways continues to be an industry leader in promoting swim safety while also manufacturing the #1 selling baby float in the U.S.
Our Favorite Places to Splash Around in Houston!
Free Spots to Cool Off:
The Fountain at Discovery Green – in the heart of Downtown Houston. Be sure to grab a snow cone from the truck nearby after your visit!
Hermann Park Splash Pad – boasts a sandy beach nearby and is shaded by palm trees!
Levy Park Splash Pad – Recently renovated and sits in an enclosed play area.
Jaycee Park Splash Pad – This Houston Heights splash pad sits next to a big playground so your kids can run around before cooling off.
Pay (a little bit) to Play
The Waterplay Park at the Houston Zoo – This is included with your zoo admission. A soft & squishy splash pad that won’t skin any knees when your tot takes a tumble! Parents can sit under the shady canopies nearby.
Children’s Museum FlowRush – Included with museum admission. This interactive water exhibit requires kids to “dip” their hands into it to make the waves and components work. A stimulating way to cool off, that’s for sure!
City Pool Visits – Houston operates 37 public aquatic centers & 29 splash pads across the city. Most offer on-site swim lessons as well. For a complete list of locations and daily entry-fees, check out this link.
Splurge-Worthy Swims
Neighborhood Pool Memberships – Many neighborhoods come with community pools that are run by local HOAs. Even if you’re not living in a specific neighborhood, but perhaps nearby, you can sometimes still join the pools by paying a little bit more. We ended up doing this in our neighborhood and it’s definitely the best decision we’ve made this summer!
Staycation to Swim – Who doesn’t love the sophistication and style that usually comes along with fabulous hotel pools?! One of my favorite reasons to staycation in Houston is to visit the pool alone. Our favorites are Hotel Alessandra’s rooftop pool (pictured in this post) the Marriot Marquis Texas-shaped lazy river and the kid-friendly pool at The Woodlands Resort. (Which we’ve yet to visit, but have heard great things!)
Do you plan on spending a lot of time in or near the water this summer?! Now that Annie is an on-the-go toddler, I can’t imagine us spending the season any other way.
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As always, thanks so much for following along and thanks for supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible. All opinions are always my own.
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xo, alice
