What can water park owners, facilitators and architects do to ensure they implement the latest children’s water park trends and attract guests? Keeping updated on different theme ideas, new equipment options and eco-friendly alternatives can make a big difference.

Today’s water park trends are all about sensory and inclusive equipment, tech-inspired features, and unmatched fun. These amusement parks are no longer just pools with slides — they’ve advanced into immersive worlds and educational environments that allow kids to explore the wonders of the world through water.

Check out our list of the top 10 water park trends to understand what kids and families are looking for:

1. Education

While water playgrounds offer physical activity and entertainment, they also create educational environments. The most innovative water play features are tools that encourage learning. Facilitating education through play can help kids develop social-emotional skills and build literacy, which improves their well-being. Plus, parents and guardians love the idea of kids learning and expanding their problem-solving skills in a fun way.

These play areas work especially well when they’re themed. One example is the Florida Aquarium, which incorporates elements of water play like spray zones but also revolves around an educational theme of aquatic plants and animals.

2. Themed Play Experiences

The best water parks offer exciting, immersive experiences with fun and cohesive themed water play areas. These spaces should create experiences that allow kids to use their imaginations and travel to fantasy worlds. For example, the Shipwreck Cove Water Park uses elements like a pirate ship with a ramp and a water wall to create an exciting, immersive experience.

3. Sustainability

As concerns about sustainability rise in the water park industry, eco-friendly water park equipment is becoming increasingly important. Here are some of the features that create environmentally friendly water parks:

• Advanced water recycling systems that minimize water waste
• Splash pads that use recirculation systems
• Energy-efficient attractions with low carbon footprints
• Sustainable design elements that use locally sourced or renewable materials
• Native plants to provide an environment for local ecosystems

4. Physical Challenges and Adventures

Challenges are important for kids to learn new things and build persistence, so it’s no surprise that adventure playgrounds are one of the top water park design trends. These play areas usually offer physical challenges like climbing and sports-related activities. For example, water parks might feature spaces for water obstacle courses or games of pool volleyball. Adventure water play equipment draws kids in with exciting themes and features.

5. Inclusivity

A compassionate and inclusive environment is essential to create a space where kids of all abilities can have fun. These areas shouldn’t just be physically accessible — they should contain equipment that’s intentionally designed to offer play opportunities to kids with different abilities. Here are some of the features an inclusive water playground might have:

• Wider walkways
• Gentle slopes
• More handrails in pools
• Quiet zones
• Signage in multiple languages, also featuring diagrams and Braille

6. High-Tech Equipment

The latest water park equipment integrates tech-inspired features. Many kids love computer games, but it’s also important to experience physical activity and socialization. Outdoor play areas infused with digital elements effectively bring these two worlds together.

There’s a fine line between using tech elements and creating a tech-dependent play area. It’s important that the water park still focuses on physical movement and connecting with other kids. One example of how to incorporate high-tech play elements correctly is the Soft Play® Reactions Wall, which uses a gamified wall to get kids to move around and engage in hand-to-eye coordination. These types of play features are ideal in non-water areas where kids can take breaks from the pools and slides.

7. Multifunctional Spaces

Multifunctional play areas are trending for their unmatched versatility and inclusiveness. They have diverse spaces and equipment that guests can use in different ways, no matter their age or abilities. Here are some examples of multifunctional areas that can be included in water parks:

• Inclusive features like wheelchair-accessible ramps and nonslip flooring near wet areas
• Natural elements like trees and plants so families can relax in the space
• Age-appropriate zones so people of all ages have an area to enjoy
• Sports sections or equipment that allow the community to use the space for sporting events

8. Sensory Elements

Interactive water play elements that stimulate the senses can aid development and help build nerve connections in the brain to grow language and motor skills. Sensory playgrounds also encourage kids to explore their creativity and improve their problem-solving skills. They offer safe spaces for kids with different needs or those who may become overwhelmed by excessive bright colors or loud noises.

Some water play items that include sensory features are textured and visual panels, water toys, water walls and splash pads.

9. Multi-Generational Areas

Water playgrounds are not just for kids. They’re family-centric areas where parents and children can bond and communities can come together. Multi-generational playgrounds are suitable for people of all ages. They’re often surrounded by fitness and wellness themes and encourage people to get healthier together.

Multigenerational water playgrounds often have a good mix of activities for people of different fitness levels and interests. There’s usually an area to relax or do light physical activities, as well as spaces for kids to burn energy.

10. All-in-One Destination Experiences

A destination water park stands out from the competition because it provides an exclusive getaway for guests. It usually has a unique design, theme or feature that draws in both kids and adults.

Destination water playgrounds can attract huge crowds, especially when the weather is warm and perfect for spending a day in the water. These areas work best when they cater to many age groups or are multi-generational. They offer a place for families to soak up the sun and cool off while doing fun water activities.

A great example of a destination park is Sunriver Water Park, which has several water-based activities, including slides, a lazy river and a leisure pool. Its most popular water park attraction is the signature shark floatable, where guests play a creative game of “King of the Shark.” These unique elements create a successful destination water playground.

Invest in Exciting Water Play Equipment With Soft Play

Soft Play is the global leader in contained playground equipment. We’re passionate about creating play areas that benefit businesses and kids alike, including exciting water equipment that’s sure to be among some of the most popular water park attractions at your facility. We’ve been in business for over 30 years and understand how to build equipment that works for different spaces and budgets.

We provide turnkey and customized equipment that offers durable spaces kids can enjoy for a long time. Don’t hesitate to request a quote today or check out some of our work for inspiration!