From meandering around lazy rivers and lapping up the waves to plummeting down vertical drops, there are plenty of thrills to be found in waterparks. Whether you like to relax and unwind or get the adrenaline pumping, we've found some of the world's wettest and wildest attractions that are fun for the whole family.
Click or scroll through the gallery to see our selection of the best waterparks for families...
Designed specifically for youngsters aged two to 12, LEGOLAND Water Park opened in 2016 and was an instant hit with families. Older kids can get creative and build a raft of LEGO, then sail it down the Build A Raft River and get drenched in the Joker Soaker, a 300-gallon play house featuring slides and waterwheels. For younger kids, the DUPLO Splash Safari offers pint-sized water slides, plus the chance to swim with elephants and crocodiles (plastic, of course).
This Thailand-themed attraction in Tenerife has often been named among the world's best waterparks by Tripadvisor, and for good reason. Top attractions are the Tower of Power, where riders can reach speeds of around 50 miles per hour (80km/h) as they swoop down the 90-foot-high (28m) slide into an aquarium filled with stingrays and sharks. Tackle the Mekong Rapids on a giant inflatable with your mates or dare them to take on the Dragon, a totally vertical funnel. Recover on Siam Beach.
Part of the impressive Villages Nature Paris eco-resort near Disneyland, this waterpark is heated entirely by geothermal energy and more than a third of its water is purified naturally. Throw yourself down one of the eight giant slides, catch the surf in the wave pool or wallow in the lovely outdoor lagoons, which are heated to 30°C (86°F) all year round. There's also an aquatic climbing wall, white-water rivers, geysers and a lovely spa.
Part of Morgan's Wonderland, an ultra-accessible theme park, Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park in San Antonio, Texas will reopen in spring 2024 after a $6million (£4.7m) upgrade. Every part of the pioneering park is wheelchair accessible, from the River Boat Adventure ride to the five water play areas featuring waterfalls, pools, geysers, jets, water cannons and tipping buckets. Waterproof wheelchairs are available and special wristbands allow parents or carers to easily locate their party. New attractions for 2024 will include a first-of-its-kind, wheelchair-friendly zipline and a 4D cinema to give riders in wheelchairs a roller coaster experience using a video screen with motion effects.
This excellent outdoor playground in the Otztal valley in the Tirol promises plenty of thrills and spills. Based around a lake, water-centric attractions include the Cannonball, where you'll be blasted into the water from a seat with a huge water jet. You can also whizz down the slides, go 'cliff diving' from an incredibly high diving board or try your hand at 'blobbing' – basically throwing yourself onto an inflatable blob from a tower. When planning your visit, note that Area 47 is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Unlike other Six Flags parks, which combine traditional theme parks with a waterpark attached, White Water is a stand-alone waterpark. Open each year from May to September, beat the Georgia heat in the pool (stick to the shallow end if you don't want to experience the waves), ride the rapids on the Bahama Bob Slide or try the swirling Typhoon Twister.
As well as the high-speed Twister and Tornado water slides (Tornado is pictured here), this waterpark in Billund also has a year-round 'wild river' slide. At 551 feet long (168m), it starts and ends in the indoor Aquadome but also winds around outside. The complex has a good variety of indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a sauna and a spa. Dare the kids to dive down in the secret cave pool to spot the tropical fish, but watch out for the giant tipping bucket as you roam...
It's no surprise that balmy Queensland has one of Australia's best waterparks. Head straight to the Extreme H20 Zone if you're after a challenge. The exhilarating Black Hole takes riders on a spiral down into a pitch black tube slide. Or dare to take on the aptly named Kamikaze and plunge down a near vertical 36-foot (11m) drop for a zero gravity sensation. There are plenty of gentler rides too and lovely tropical gardens for splashing and chilling in.
South America’s largest waterpark, which sits on Porto das Dunas beach near Fortaleza, is action-packed. With a choice of pools, plenty of fast-paced slides and a lazy river, there's something to suit everyone. But the park is most famous for its towering water slide Insano. At 135 feet (41m), It's one of the tallest in the world, where riders plummet down at terrifying speeds of around 65 miles per hour (105 km/h).
It takes 45 minutes to ride the lazy river around the Middle East's largest waterpark, Aquaventure, which is part of hotel Atlantis, The Palm. The giant river winds through the park's three water towers: Poseidon, Neptune and Trident, each with its own rides and experiences. Race your friends on the Hydra Racer slide or take the Leap of Faith, which has a huge drop through a shark-filled lagoon. The lovely tropical setting also includes a white-sand beach, perfect for flopping on.
Keep a close eye on your companions in this fun-filled resort as it's enormous. Tropical Islands is based within a gigantic dome that used to be an airship hangar. It's so big you can even go on a free-floating balloon ride for a bird's-eye view. With a rainforest area featuring over 50,000 plants, white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, it's easy to forget you're only 40-odd-miles (65km) from Berlin. Thankfully, you don't need to do it all in one day as you can stay in the resort.
Slip, splash and scream your way around this fantastic attraction in Bali, which has been named Tripadvisor's top waterpark in Asia and one of the best in the world. Its various slides and rides are ranked from 'mellow' to 'extreme'. The Climax (Asia's steepest slide) and Smashdown 2.0 with a sheer 85-foot (26m) drop are definitely in the latter category. Need to calm your nerves? There's a swim-up cocktail bar where you can sip on a drink as you gaze at the lush tropical garden surroundings.
With 15 rides and three play areas (complete with big buckets for regular drenchings and sedate slides), this waterpark caters for most tastes. Highlights for thrill-seekers include careering up and down a giant U-shaped half-pipe on Slide Up. Feeling competitive? Go head-to-head with friends as you charge down the multi-lane slide Kraken Racers.
With 21 water rides and pools over an area of almost two million square feet (186,000sqm), this attraction just south of Pattaya is big. In fact, it's Thailand's biggest waterpark. But it's also very beautiful, with lovely green spaces and a natural lake. The double wave pool guarantees plenty of squeals, as do the AquaLoop and FreeFall – the park's most extreme rides. Small children are also well catered for with play areas and the tranquil lazy river.
Daredevils will love Abu Dhabi's vast water-filled attraction, which has over 40 rides. Try the near-vertical slide Jebel Drop or gather your mates to try Dawwama, the world's first and largest hydro magnetic-powered, six-person tornado water slide. At over 770 feet long (235m), the thrills will keep on coming at you. Another highlight is Bubbles Barrel, where you can ride 10-foot-high (3m) waves on the world's largest surfable sheet wave. Or take a spin above it all on roller coaster the Bandit Bomber.
Whether you're leaping about in the wave pool, doing lengths in the Olympic-sized pool, whizzing down slides or walking the plank on the pirate ship, Western Romania's favourite waterpark is sure to delight all the family. Parents can take it in turns to relax in the spa, which has a Turkish bath, a range of geothermal water pools, steam room, sauna and cold room.
Antalya's fairy-tale and legend-themed attraction makes for a fun family excursion. Its two waterparks, Aqua Land and Tropic Lagoon, (new from March 2024) boast more than 70 water slides between them. Highlights include Abyss and Starship, which both include rubber rings for you to ride. Or go for a spin above ground on the 140-foot-high (43m) Typhoon Coaster, which ends with a triumphant splash. It's especially magical for children thanks to its aqua discos and entertaining shows.
The waterpark at BIG4 Gold Coast's claim to fame is that it has the tallest play structure in any holiday park in the Southern Hemisphere. Spend the day chilling in your own pool-side cabana or splash out in the multi-lane body slide, one of six slides across the park. There's tipping buckets for the smaller children to enjoy and water shooters for the ultimate water fight.
Set in Pfaeffikon within the canton (territory) of Schwyz, Alpamare stakes its claim as Europe's biggest covered waterpark, although it does have some outdoor heated pools too. Test out some of the 11 fun themed water slides – IceXpress promises a chilly surprise, while Tornado comes complete with light and sound effects. Then top it off with a rejuvenating soak in the salt bath that's heated to a blissful 36°C (97°F).
Another Floridian offering and one of the USA's most popular waterparks, Blizzard Beach – Typhoon Lagoon’s sister attraction at Walt Disney World – mixes its frozen landscape with huge slides, a lazy river and a white-water rafting experience for large groups. Summit Plummet is one of the tallest and fastest freefall body slides, but more sedate offerings include a polar-themed wonderland for younger children and a wading pool complete with Disney Frozen character statues.
Slightly different to your average waterpark, this attraction in Rutland lays claim to being the UK's largest inflatable waterpark – and it all looks like serious fun. Set on the north shore of Rutland Waterpark, the 330 foot by 260 foot (92 x 80m) inflatable course includes climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers, blast bags and slides. Do you dare take on the challenge? Note that due to water temperatures, Aqua Park Rutland is only open from May to September each year.
In addition to various scream-fest water rides, there's an enormous man-made surf beach in the water area of this mega multi-theme park not far from Kuala Lumpur. After you've leapt about in the waves and taken a turn in the rapids of the mighty Zambezi river, dare to take on the Vuvuzela. It's the park's most thrilling slide and Malaysia's largest.
Experience the sensation of being sucked into a tornado on Abyss; race friends down Whizzard's multi-coloured slides; or experience a moment of weightlessness as you shoot up the near-vertical wall of Boomerang on a raft. Based in Guangzhou, China, this enormous attraction has everything you could hope for from a waterpark: thrilling rides and slides, kids play areas, plenty of pools, waves and a lazy river.
Designed with a Maya civilisation theme, Aquaventure Waterpark is surrounded by tropical greenery and part of the hotel Atlantis, Paradise Island. Launch yourself from the top of the Mayan Temple on the Leap of Faith (pictured) to drop down a near vertical clear tunnel at high speed, shooting through a shark-filled tank. Or twist and turn around the temple's dark core on the Serpent Slide. The sedate Jungle Slide takes children on a watery safari through jungles and caves. They'll also love firing the water cannons in the play fort.
Have the kids seen too many ancient Roman ruins already? Take them to this watery wonderland in Emilia-Romagna and their spirits will soon lift. As one of Europe's largest waterparks, it has a host of attractions including a great selection of slides, lazy river, rapids, a wave pool and special pools for babies and small children. Keep in mind Aquafan is only open from June to September and can get lively in the holiday season with loud music and the odd foam party.
Dive into the Caribbean at Aqualibi, with its tropical atmosphere and dazzlingly colourful decor. Thrill-seekers can coast down the 10 different slides that the waterpark has to offer. The park’s wave pool creates a fun experience for the whole family, while a dedicated children’s area will make sure the little ones are having a great time, even if they can’t swim yet. With waterfalls, fountains, hot tubs and relaxation pools, Aqualibi is the perfect tropical escape for visitors of all ages.
There's bucketfuls of fun for the whole family at Imagica's water-based theme park, from playing pirates in Pirate Bay or drifting idly down the lazy river to navigating the steep falls on thrilling family raft ride, Soakerz. For lovers of high-speed slides, check out the Loopy Woopy, Swirl Whirl or Yello-O. You'll definitely be yelping with delight after a day at this Mykonos-themed park in Khopoli, which is located around an hour south of Mumbai.
Swim under the mighty Krakatau volcano, explore its trickling waterfalls and enticing lagoons or simply bob about in the waves. Universal Studios' brilliant waterpark in Orlando is a class act. You can also experience the power of the volcano on a four-person canoe ride that twists and turns deep within the structure, before plunging through a waterfall.
Had enough of shopping? Then pop into West Edmonton Mall's World Waterpark, where you'll find the world's largest indoor wave pool and more than 17 water slides. Divided into four levels – beginner, intermediate, advanced and extreme – the slides range from the kid-friendly Caribbean Cove and Splash Pad, to the adrenaline-fuelled Sky Screamer. Reaching a speed of 37 miles per hour (60km/h) and with an 85-foot drop (26m), it's definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Water fun gets taken up a gear at this park in the Peloponnese that's perfect for thrill-seekers. Aside from a whole host of water slides, you can test your mettle on rides such as the Looping Rocket, where you'll be blasted 65 feet (20m) into the sky from a launch capsule. Take the plunge down the high-speed Space Ride or drop into the darkness of the Black Hole. There's also a Greek gods-inspired children's play area.
Island Waterpark, which opened last year on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, is the world’s largest indoor beachfront waterpark and features 11 slides. Expect sharp turns on The Electric Eel, Sonic Serpent and Barracuda Blaster tube slides or head to Slide Island, which features five water slides suitable for younger guests. Spanning 120,000 square feet (111,48sqm), there's room for everyone and its indoor location means it's always warm and sunny.
Scheduled to open in 2025 and building on the success of Therme Group offerings including Therme Bucharest in Romania, this £250 million ($313m) waterpark is set to be more than impressive. It will feature thermal pools, spa facilities and a 'biodiverse garden' for the grown-ups, indoor and outdoor pools for kids both big and small, and a large family zone with water slides and a wave pool. Onsite restaurants and cafes will mean visitors can happily spend the whole day here too after refuelling.