Remember spending the entire day at the pool when you were a kid? Playing "Marco Polo" till the sun went down, and then going home for dinner, exhausted and burnt to a lobster-red crisp?
Well, things have changed. The threat of UV rays means some parents don't want to expose their kids to hours of intense sun.
But if parents pack the sunscreen, there are plenty of pools in the area that can offer a full day of entertainment. These pools are designed to amuse the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest.
Some of these pools may be a bit of a drive. So At Play dove deep to find five pools where families can paddle around, and then check out some other nearby attractions in the evening.
POOL + PIZZA
The Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park (801 S. Janes Ave., Woodridge; 630-985-5620) is not a typical community pool. It's more like a water park with several pools including a plunge pool, lazy river and a diving well. There are also three types of slides and a sand play area.
Amanda Nichols with the Woodridge Park District said families may want to plan for a five-hour visit.
After swimming, the full family can rinse off and head for dinner. One nearby restaurant, Home Run Inn (7521 Lemont Rd., Darien; 630-739-9696), is a pizzeria with a kids' menu, free parking and a full bar for Mom and Dad.
COSTS: Admission to Cypress Cove is $12, kids younger than 2 are free. Parking is free. Instead of visiting the concessions, parents are allowed to bring in water bottles and eat packed lunches in the picnic area.
For dinner at Home Run Inn, parents can cut costs with the children's menu. Kids 12 and younger can order a full meal, including beverage, side and dessert for $5.99.
POOL + PLAY
Rehm Pool (515 Garfield, Oak Park; 708-848-2929) has an Olympic-size pool that starts with a zero-depth entrance. The main pool also has a spray play apparatus where kids can control the water flow by turning valves. Rehm has an adults-only sun deck, wading pool for young children and a diving well with slides and diving boards. The concession stand is run by Robinson's Ribs.
Parents may want to pack up in the early afternoon to catch the Oak Park Festival Theatre's outdoor production of "Robin Hood" at Austin Gardens (1100 Ontario, Oak Park). The theater is offering two family nights, July 29 or Aug. 5.
Family night starts at 3:30 p.m. with storytelling and stage combat demonstrations. The two-hour play begins at 5 p.m.
COSTS: Both venues offer free parking so most money will go to admission. Pool admission is $8 per person, 1 year and older. For the play, a family package is $45 and covers two adults and up to four children.
For concessions, Rehm allows visitors to bring in water bottles and small coolers. And while concessions are available at Festival Theatre, theater president Joyce Porter said families can bring their own blankets and snacks. Purchase tickets at TheatreMania.com or by calling 708-445-4440.
SWIM + A SHOW
The White Water Canyon Water Park (8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park; 708-342-4200) is a 5-acre water park. The main pool has zero-depth entry, a children's section, diving boards and slides. There is also a lazy river, sand play area and a new interactive play area with fountains and water cannons.
On hot days, families may enjoy up to five hours of pool play, said Karen Wegrzyn of the Tinley Park Park District.
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