Sunday, February 16, 2014

Des Peres Lodge Indoor Pool, Des Peres


Location: 1050 Des Peres Road, Des Peres, MO 63131

Amenities:
  • Wave Pool (during some open swim times)
  • Children's Area with bubblers and sprays
  • Tube Slide
  • Hot Tub
Website: http://www.desperesmo.org/index.aspx?NID=150

The indoor pool at The Lodge in Des Peres is like no other in the St. Louis Metro Area. It features an indoor wave pool in addition to the amenities you'd expect in an indoor water park. The waves are generally on during open swim on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (check the calendar on their website for hours), and alternate in an on for 20 minutes, off for 10 minutes fashion. During open swim, there are inflatable inner tubes for patrons to use to float on the waves. When the waves are off, swimmers are allowed to jump off the side into the deepest part of the pool. The large pool goes from zero entry to 8 feet 6 inches. There are life jackets to borrow for the kiddos who are not strong enough swimmers to help them in the waves.





Adjacent to the large pool is a tot pool which is zero entry to about 8 inches deep. There are benches around this area for parents to sit, and there is a bubbler in the center and sprays around the edge. Weekday mornings (Wednesday-Friday) the tot pool is open for 1.5 hours for parents and young children to swim, and during this time they bring out a basket full of pool toys for the kids to play with. This area is open during open swim as well, and you can bring small water toys to play with in this area.



The enclosed indoor slide begins in the corner of the building, goes outside, then comes back inside before dumping the rider into a catch pool. Riders must be at least 42" to ride this slide.




The hot tub is for visitors 16 years and older.





The facility is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres, however non-residents pay a higher admission fee.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Wild Wonder Outpost, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis City- ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRESCHOOL AND CAMPS


Location:  One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110

Amenities: indoor playroom

Website: https://www.stlzoo.org/visit/plan-your-visit

Designed for children ages 0-8, the Wild Wonder Outpost at the St. Louis Zoo is a great playroom with some unique features you won't find in other playrooms around the St. Louis area. For starters, each month, the staff changes up the theme of all the exhibits in the playroom. In the background, they play calming music which really seems to help the kids stay calmer and more focused on their play. There are cubbies to store coats and bags, and an area to park strollers inside the playroom, but separate from the play area. Hours are limited due to the fact that it's also the home of the zoo preschool. 

There's an art area, an area reserved just for children 2 and under, then in the center of the room is the "Wildlife Theater" stage with plenty of puppets and animal dress-up costumes to go around. The "Build a Habitat" play area was a favorite for my daughter, with bins and bins of small plastic zoo animals, along with wooden blocks, felt "ponds", plastic molded rocks, and more to create your own zoo. The animal care area lets your little one play "zookeeper." The large water table is a hit with the kids and they have smocks to help keep the kids dry. However, when it's very cold out - the water in the table is FREEZING as well! The Backyard Wildlife area contains a playhouse and garden, plus a compost bin. Lastly, the sand table is really a fun sensory experience for kids, as the sand is "moon sand" which feels squishy to the touch and forms together to build castles. There are so many different things to play with, there's no way you'll get to play with everything in just one 45-minute session.

And since you can never get through a play session without your little one needing a potty break, there is a restroom inside the playroom, and it even has a small tot toilet.

The Wild Wonder Outpost is located on the lower level of the Living World building at the North end of the St. Louis Zoo. Sessions are 45 minutes and are $3 per person ($2 per person for zoo members). Children under 1 are free. See the website for session times.



"Backyard Wildlife Experience" Playhouse


"Backyard Wildlife Experience" Area


Moon Sand Table


"Wildlife Theater" Stage


Behind the scenes of the "Wildlife Theater"


Water table - the staff changes the water table to go along with the monthly theme.
Top photo: Frog theme, Bottom photo: Penguin theme 


Art Area


Art Area


"Cubs and Pups Area" - for children ages 2 and younger


"Build a Habitat" Area


"Build a Habitat" Area


"Animal Care Corner"

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Korte Recreation Center Indoor Pool, Highland, IL


Location: 1 Nagel Drive, Highland, IL 62249

Amenities:
  • two-story waterslide 
  • water channel for walking
  • vortex 
  • children’s play area with slide and sprays
  • lap lanes 
  • Hot tub 
Website: https://www.highlandil.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation/korte_recreation_center/index.php

The indoor pool at the Korte Recreation Center offers a large water slide for riders 4' and taller, and a small water slide for little kiddos in the shallow children's area. The pool goes from zero entry to 4 feet deep, with a water channel to walk through and a vortex whirlpool. Children were allowed to bring small inflatables into the pool (inner tubes and water wings). The locker room is large. Non-members and non-residents are welcome but pay an additional fee.
















Sunday, October 6, 2013

Franz Park, St. Louis City


Location: Bordered by Prather Ave, Mitchell Ave, and Glades Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139

Amenities: Playground, picnic shelter, tennis court, fitness trail

Website: http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=42&parkName=Franz%20Park

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber and wood chips

The playground is big and has a large play structure with several slides, a bridge, tunnel, and other various climbing things. Right next to the playground were some tennis courts that my kids enjoyed running around in almost as much as playing on the playground. They had 2 sling swings and 2 baby swings and there was a nice covered pavillion and bathrooms nearby as well.

The website says there are horseshoe pits but I didn't see them, they must not have been close to the playground. There is also a fitness area with lots of equipment.