School is officially out for summer, and the season of trying to think of ways to entertain your children has well-and-truly begun. But you know what we’re like here at Secret London: we don’t want you to have to trawl through the depths of the internet, frantically seeking out activities to postpone the inevitable cries of ‘I’m bored’. So, we’ll do it for you. Because we’re nice, like that.
One spot that should immediately go to the top of your must-visit-this-summer list is Aqua Action, a big old inflatable water park where you (and your kids, friends, colleagues, and next door neighbours) can go to splish, splash, slip and slide around this summer.
Credit: Rob Pike, Instagram
Located in an idyllic lake in east London, Aqua Action and its younger sibling, Aqua Tots, are open every day throughout the summer (until September 29) for some fun in the (sporadic) sun.
Aqua Action
Aqua Action is a gigantic inflatable obstacle course (75 metres long, to be exact), and is the perfect sunny day, action-packed activity for older children (aged 6 and over) and big (adult) kids. Visitors can expect to tackle the 3.5 metre climbing tower and the two metre high balance beam, squeal in delight as they’re blasted into the air on the blast bag, channel their inner Olympic diver on the jumping platforms, and their inner adrenaline junkies on the drop slides.
You must be able to swim 20 metres (unassisted) to use the water park and it costs £20 for a one hour session. Private hire is also available and you best believe I’ll be contacting them shortly to plan my next birthday party.
Credit: Romford District Scouts, Instagram
Aqua Tots
Mini water-lovers need not worry, as the spot also boasts one of the best splash puddle parks in London for ages 1-8 years old. Visitors to Aqua Tots don’t need to be able to swim but must be supervised by an adult. Little splashers can enjoy bouncing on the giant turtle, jumping over the rainbow, riding on the inflatable swans, and just having a good old splash about. Sounds pretty ideal to me.
Credit: Aqua Tots, Instagram
So, what are you waiting for? This sunshine certainly won’t be around for long, so you’d better make the most of it.
Find out more and plan your visit here.
📍 Fairlop Waters Country Park, Ilford, IG63HN