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Cheap Ways for Water Fun in Bellingham

by Theresa Carpine7/9/2008 9:52:19 AM

As the weather heats up, Whatcom County families are searching for ways to cool down. If you’re looking for a free (or pretty darn cheap) ways to cool off with some water fun, consider one of the following options:

Nothing cools kids off quicker than a run through Cornwall Park's spray park.

Local Spray Parks

Two Bellingham Parks have open access spray parks where kids can run and splash to their heart’s content. Head to Fairhaven Park or Cornwall Park for some free water fun on those particularly sunny days. And if things get a little cloudy, kids can always get out some energy on the nearby fields and playgrounds.

Parks on the Beach

Lake Padden Park and Bloedel Donovan Park on Lake Whatcom are the two in-town parks with swimming access. Both parks have a boat launch (non-motored boats only at Lake Padden), and both have changing and shower houses to use after your dip in the lake. But remember that these beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, so make sure to keep an extra eye (or two) on your kids when swimming.

Sprinklers & Spray Bottles

You don’t usually see people in Bellingham watering their lawns, but on a super hot day, set up a sprinkler in the yard and let the kids run through it. Your lawn will get some extra nutrients and you’ll be amazed to see all the creative games your kids come up with as they jump through the streams of water in your lawn.

Kids will also love playing free tag by filling cheap spray bottles (available at most drug stores) with water and squirting each other to their heart’s content.

Pool Dip

For those kids that seem to have been born with gills, you can purchase a day pass to swim at two local fitness centers with indoor pools.

The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center has four pools to fit a variety of needs and you can get a day pass for $4 for adults and $3 for youths under 18. You can even get a dollar off during Family Swim (check the Summer Schedule for full details).

A day pass at a Whatcom Family YMCA is a little more expensive ($7 for adults and $4 for youth), but kids can also use the basketball and racquetball courts, as well as the Bellingham YMCA’s climbing wall (when open), during their visit.

What are some inexpensive ways that your family beats the heat? Let us know by leaving a comment or posting in the Neighborhood-Kids.com Forum.

A Note About the Author: Theresa Carpine

A Bellingham Online Journalist, Theresa Carpine graduated from WWU with a BA in English Literature. She enjoys yoga, listening to music, riding her bike in downtown Bellingham, and babysitting really cute kids.