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Splash!! ~ Water Works

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~ Build a Ship ~

This idea is for those lucky enough to have a backyard pool and are looking for fun things. Create homemade boats from pieces of plastic foam cut to shape with a plastic picnic knife. Add boat parts made from plastic-foam balls and cups, straws, chenille stems, pencils, string, spools, and Fun Foam crafts material. You can attach the parts with glue or heavy tape, or bend pieces of chenille stems and insert them into the boat as "staples." Make double-length straws by slitting an end on one straw and inserting it into another. Use pictures of ships for your designs. Then, have a Boat Race. After you've made your boats, and tested them for balance and floatbility, have a race across the pool or stage a regatta. If you like, award prizes to the most original boat, the fastest boat, most colorful boat, the most seaworthy boat, and so on. Be fair and let everyone win!

~ Water Hockey ~

Get a number of squirt guns and a plastic ping-pong ball or golf ball. Set up nets at either end of the pool, or mark the goal posts with towels, and using the squirt gun, push the ball down to the opponent's end and try to score a goal. You get a penalty and a time-out for squirting someone in the face or using your hands to move the ball forward. The secret is to have the squirt gun close to the water and shoot level with the water. *smile*

Makes Waves!!

~ Wave Pools ~

This is the ultimate
fun thing to do
with the entire family.

You can spend hours, getting totally water-logged from frolicking in the waves. Don't be surprized if you suddenly realize that is almost sundown when you first look at your watch. Wave pools are very safe and offer something fun for all ages and levels of swimming ability. Every wave pool has a "beach area" which is shallow that gradually gets deeper the farther in you go. Wave sessions last about 15 to 20 minutes with 10 minutes of calm in-between.

~ White Water Rapids ~

This is the latest greatest water-ride.
Many waterparks now have these tube slides.
It is part lazy river and part water chute.
You need to hang-on but don't have to steer.
Just lean into the turns and balance your back.
You do get spun around backwards often.
Kinda fun not knowing where you are going.
Be warned that this "tubing" is very addictive.
There are usually long line-ups at this area.
It is worth the wait and is quite enjoyable.

One thing about inner tubes. Most waterparks will not allow you to bring your own tube. They do allow air matresses for the wave pool, but you usually have to rent the inner tubes. You should always go to the rental kiosk first thing when you get to a park. Tubes go fast and are usually all gone before noon. You may want to rent 2-3, if you are a family of 4-5.

~ Lazy River ~

Can you imagine how relaxing this must be?
Meandering gently, slowly, down the river.
I really like the lazy river in the afternoon.
Anyone can do this and you don't need help.
The current glides you down the channel,
and returns you to the entrance after about
a half hour or so. Just long enough for a nap.
Some tubes are shaped like an "8" and
you can cuddle with your sweetheart.

One of the things about waterparks is the chlorine. I have found that most parks are really heavily disinfected and because of this, you should bring lots of skin lotion. Your skin will dry out and itch if you continually get wet, and then dry off in the sun. If you can, find a really good, expensive, sunscreen lotion that is a waterproof gel. Well worth the money. My eyes usually get red and sore by mid-afternoon from too much chlorine. You may not feel the effects because you are constantly getting wet and feeling refreshed, but the sun will be burning you to a crisp all the while while the chlorine bleaches your skin. Be extra careful.

~ Water Cyclone ~

These are brand new this year.
Some waterparks have these.
Trust me,not for the faint of heart.
It works on gravity and will
spin you like a washing machine.

If you venture out to a waterpark this summer (you really should), be sure to bring plenty of extra towels, some food, some drinks in plastic containers (they don't allow glass), and lots of fruit. Make sure you sit in the shade for awhile and bring a change of clothes and band-aids.
Be safe and have fun !!!

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