June is just beginning, but the summer heat has already shown up in the Inland Empire.

I recently took my boys to a splash pad – a recreation area with no or little standing water – is a great place to cool off in the summer heat without all the stress of going to the neighborhood pool.

A splash pad is something all of the kids can enjoy – from bigger kids to toddling babies. My one-year-old loved to splash in a small pool of water but got mad when his face got wet. My older son loved watching other kids manipulate streams of water and sticking his feet in the fountains in the ground.

Some advice for splash pads:

-Wear sunscreen and bring an umbrella is there is not going to be shade nearby.

-Wear a swimsuit to play in the water and consider water shoes. Avoid flip flops that get slippery when wet or catch on rubberized ground.

-Please don’t bring the family dog to a splash pad. Not only could a child with a fear of dogs be forced to leave the pad, but even a well-trained dog could get nervous or overexcited around screaming, running kids.

-Since there is no need for a lifeguard at a splash pad, keep a close eye on your children.

-Wear swimsuits to a splash pad if possible, including swim diapers if needed.

There are many splash pads all over Riverside and San Bernardino counties  – from public spaces, regional parks to water parks. Here’s a list of some you don’t need to pay admission to get you started.

·         Citrus Park Splash Pad at Citrus Parkin Corona is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until September 30^th. The splash pad, which features water cannons, leaf-like structures and other ways to play, is near two playgrounds and grass areas for drying off in the sun.

·         Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga has a small fountain feature splash pad in the center of the shopping area, close to Bath & Body Works and Ben and Jerry’s. There is a family-friendly bathroom nearby for changing.

·         Monte Vista Park in Chino features a fenced-in splash pad with a tall geyser spray and has benches nearby.  The seven-acre park, which also features playgrounds and basketball courts, will have the splash pad running 7 days a week

·         The colorfully-lit interactive fountain at The Shoppes at Chino Hills is in the middle of the shopping center. There is a bathroom for changing nearby, so change out of your swimsuit and get dry before you go shopping or have lunch. n

·         Veterans Park in Colton has along with the splash pad has large trees and grass nearby for moms to stay in the shade. There is two playgrounds, other activities and a library and community center.

·         The splash pad at Tom Minor Park in San Bernardino is right next to a covered area with picnic benches and a playground. However, there are no bathrooms at the park – the nearby Arco station bathroom (by Starbucks) is the closest option.

·         Lake Elsinore’s Canyon Hills Community Park has a splash pad along with its 18 acres of park activities and sport fields. The  whimsical splash pad is walled off and surrounded by umbrellas to keep parents cool.