Summer Water Fun

One of the best ways to beat the heat in the summer is to play in the water. A trip to the beach is always fun, but here are some other alternatives to cool off.

  • Hit the pool! There are public pools available. The City's has three swimming pools that are managed by outside organizations. The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina manage the Legion Pool and the Robert Strange Pool. Please visit the YMCA website for more information including the summer 2023 opening days, admission fees and operating hours for each pool. Legion Pool  2131 Carolina Beach Road   For reservations - 910-899-7348. Robert Strange Pool  - 410 S. 10th Street  For reservations - 910-899-7332. Echo Farms Pool, managed by New Hanover County Parks and Rec,  910-798-7730.  NSEA Swim manages the Northside Pool, 750 Bess Street, Wilmington  and Northside Splash Pad, 750 Bess Street. Call 910-440-0978 or visit www.teamunify.com/team/ncns/page/home. There is also a splashpad at Long Leaf Park, open from May through September 9 am to 7:30 pm. A water wheelchair is available by reservation through the Parks Office. See the NHC website for rules and information.
  • Crank up the sprinklers. Running through the sprinklers in your back yard is for many a favorite childhood memory. You don’t have to leave the house to have fun in the water when you have a sprinkler!
  • Play water games. Water balloons and water guns are always favorites but don’t forget about squirting bath toys. Fill a bucket with water and have kids play different relay type games using bath toys that fill with water when you squeeze them. One  favorite game involves putting 2 piles of shaving cream on the driveway and having kids work with squirting toys to try to eliminate the pile by squeezing water onto them.
  • Splash in water tables and wading pools. These are great for younger kids to play in when you add some cups and bath toys.
  • Bathe the dog or wash the car. These tasks may not seem like fun for adults but most kids LOVE to help with these chores because the buckets full of water and hose keep everyone cool.