Cool your jets, kids! It’s hot outside, it’s hot inside, the kids are restless and need to run their wiggles out. Your creativity is zapped, and your sanity is on the line. We’ve got you covered! Here are six things to do in Council Bluffs to cool off those little rascals while burning some of their energy too.
The Old-fashioned Hose
You don’t even need to leave your house for this. Hook up the hose, grab a few tubs, collect the water toys and squirt guns, and let them go crazy. Have a sprinkler? Set it up. Have a baby pool? Fill it up. Outdoor toys need a good scrub? Give the kids some soap and a rag!
Hydrant Parties
The Council Bluffs Fire Department knows how to throw an epic hydrant party. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from June to August, hydrant parties take place all over town.
Pirate Cove Water Park
Set out on a high seas adventure at Pirate Cove Water Park, a Z-shaped pool complete with a kid-sized pirate ship, zero-depth area and deep end with a diving board. Zip down the two water slides, build sandcastles in the sand play area or relax in the shaded seating. Entry is $5 with slides and $4 without.
Katelman Water Park
Katelman Water Park boasts a renovated rectangular pool with a zero-depth area and play features including a pelican with a slide in his beak. Thrill-seeking older kiddos can test out the deep end with a drop slide and a diving board. Catch a taste of the coast life in the sand area, complete with a sand volleyball court, grass and shaded seating, and concessions. Regular entry to the pool is $4 with a discounted price of $2 on family nights.
Splash Pads
Head to the parks to beat the heat on a hot and humid day. You can't miss Bayliss Park's iconic fountain and interactive water features that are sure to delight the little ones. Fairmount Park draws flocks of young parents with wee ones once the water playground opens for the season. The splash pad features 14 different water sprays that squirt in a cycle to entertain the kids. Dry off with a few rounds of tag on the playground or under the shade of the picnic shelter.
Lake Manawa Beach
The beach is a no-brainer when it comes to cooling off on a hot day. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lake Manawa Beach offers hours of endless fun in the sun, sand and water. Entry is $3.
