Last weekend we drove all the way out to North Phoenix to visit Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix’s newest attraction: Barefootin’ Bay. And guys? It was totally worth the drive. Our kids had so much fun!
The last time we went to Wet ‘n’ Wild was for my 27th birthday. (Yes, I am a grown woman who is obsessed with water parks. Lay off me.) It had barely been open a year and I’d been dying to go, so David made arrangements for a day date. Neither of us knew at the time that he’s more of a “hang out in the lazy river” kinda guy and I’m more of a “go on all the big slides” kinda girl. I made him go on a big slide. He was not interested in trying any more of them.
I’ve since forgiven him for being a wuss. And we still had fun.
Fast forward seven years, and Wet ‘n’ Wild has grown + changed, just like our family has. We’ve got three kiddos who will hopefully someday go with me on the big slides. They’re not quite ready for that yet, though, which is why Barefootin’ Bay couldn’t have opened at a better time!
Smack in the middle of the Wet ‘n’ Wild Junior area, it’s like the ultimate splash pad. The water is probably only a foot deep, which is just enough for little ones to wade + splash + “swim” in. There are tiny slides, all kinds of spraying fountains, a giant pineapple bucket that dumps gallons of water every few minutes, and best of all? It’s almost entirely shaded!
The rest of the Junior area has a handful of slides just for kids. One is literally a mini version of one of the bigger slides and I was reeeeally tempted to go on it. I can’t tell you how many times the girls made me trek up to the top of the hill, dragging a double tube behind me, so we could giggle all the way down the “red + yellow squiggly slides.” And once they figured out that they could go on the other two by themselves, all I had to do was sit back and watch.
Who knew 6- and 4-year-olds could be so delightfully independent?
Our littlest buddy happily splashed around Barefootin’ Bay with David. The girls took turns sliding with me or playing with the boys. It was great. In fact, the only time we had to leave that corner of the park was to find a bathroom…and it wasn’t far. We could all see each other the whole time, which satisfied my old lifeguarding habit of counting heads over + over.
In short, our family spent a wonderful couple hours together. Mila has been dying to know when we’re going back.
Which brings me to the giveaway:
Wet ‘n’ Wild has provided four passes for one of my readers! If you live anywhere in Arizona (or Utah, California, New Mexico, or anywhere else and might be heading our way) I cannot recommend stopping by Wet ‘n’ Wild enough. Even if you don’t have little ones, there are so many fun things to do there!
Scroll on down to enter. I hope you win!
Thanks again to Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix for inviting us! I hope we can come back again soon!
Winner will be notified via email. Tickets will be placed under winner’s name at the park’s Will Call window and may be used any time this season.
I’ve been wanting to go here! Looks so fun!
I’ve only been to Sunsplash, but have been wanting to try Wet n’ Wild. Crazy to bring a baby there? Probably, but worth it for a son who would love it. Haha.
Ooh! I’ve been wanting to try this one out! It’s a bit far but I do remember that it’s riiiiiight across the street from the Phoenix Temple. Haha! Staying cool this summer by staying inside, mostly. We’re super-adventurous around here.
Staying inside or splashing in the sprinkler in the backyard 🙂
Love more ideas for family fun in the summer, thanks for the recommendation!
Scott and I were just talking about leaving the kids for a Sunsplash date, but this sounds way better!
I haven’t been there since I was in 6th grade……it’s been forever! I’d love to go back!
And quite frankly, we’re doing LOTS of movie days here hahaha
K I need to take my kids. We are DYING this summer- we just stay home and we’re hot and bored!
I love your pictures, I really like the bright colors, and I love recognizing the kiddos! They make my heart happy; childhood goes so fast.
We’ve never been, but it looks so fun (and you are a great photographer)! We have been touring the indoor attractions– museums, play places, aquariums, and art galleries. We love the Phoenix Zoo and go at 6am (member hours) to keep our visit to the cooler hours, plus bring a cooler of frozen treats and watermelon.
I’ll have to tell my sister about this place so she can bring her kiddos!
Do you have a sister in AZ? She should definitely go!…and you should visit sometime!