Arlington Spray Park

The spray park next to Thompson Elementary School in Arlington is a good cool down spot for the summer.  Other than the sprinklers, they also offer a playground with an area appropriate for both toddlers and older children.  There are a set of picnic benches also and shady spots for relaxing under the trees.  The spray park is open when school lets out in the early summer until the close of summer.

The easiest way to find the park is to locate Dunkin Donuts on Broadway in Arlington and it is a few blocks behind it.  Set in a residential neighborhood, there is street parking and parking at the elementary school.

Click here for link to park

Funtown Splashtown USA

Funtown Splashtown USA is about an hour and a half from the city of Boston, in Saco, Maine, just off of 95 and is a good sized amusement park for children.  It is another, bigger option to Canobie Lake.  There are two sides to the park, identifiable by the bracelets one purchases upon entering.  (The entry fees are confusing, after speaking to two representatives and having friends have completely different experiences purchasing their bands, I couldn't explain it).  Splashtown houses about twenty water slides and pools for various heights and ages.  If you read the height requirements however, it will reduce the number of water slides and rides to a lot fewer available to a given group of people.  Funtown has rides for all sizes and at varying speeds also.  There are several "family" rides, such as antique cars on a track, kiddie rides including airplanes and bumper boats, and much faster rides, for older children or more daring folk.  Park hours begin sporadically in late May, and pick up in June.  The park closes again in September.  During the summer, the parks open at 10:00 on a daily basis and Splashtown closes at 6:00, Funtown at 9:00.

Food is available in the park, but you are also allowed to bring food in, just no glass containers.  There is some shopping and various other park activities, such as arcades and games.  Often during the week in the summer, camp groups will go, so weekends aren't that much busier comparatively.

A family of four would probably spend between $100-150 for a day at the park, with admission and purchasing food.  Children under 38 inches ride for free, so it is a good option for little ones!

Click here for link to FuntownSplashtown, USA

North Point Park

A beautiful spot for a family outing, picnic, or just relaxing, North Point Park in East Cambridge is a hidden spot.  The location offers views of the Charles River, Museum of Science, and Zakim Bridge.  It is tucked back from the river, but trails and walks take the pedestrian or cyclist along the river in either direction.  There are a number of benches and some picnic tables in the playground area.  The Duckboats enter and exit the water just next to the park, which offers additional entertainment for the little ones, as well as friendly exchange if you're in the mood for quacking or interacting with tourists.  The playground area offers structures that are age appropriate for toddlers through younger elementary school age children, as well as a little spray park area.  Landscaping around the park is lush and well maintained, in addition to the views in most directions, makes for a very pleasant spot.  The only drawback to this area is that 93 runs directly to one side of you, which can be noisy and detracts from the rest of the environment. However, if your little ones enjoy the sight of trucks and cars, and the sound of sirens, it can add to the experience.  The park is typically quiet earlier in the morning and has parking available.  The pictures below don't really do it justice.