Central Park, Bethalto IL

Location: 213 N. Prairie St., Bethalto, IL 62010

Website: https://bethalto.com/public-works/parks/

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips

This splash pad is called Splash Landing and it's open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10-5. During the last couple weeks of summer, they are only open on weekends. It's completely enclosed by a fence and the admission fee is $1 per child, and adults are free. It is built on the site of the old swimming pool and opened in May of 2018.

In addition to the splash pad, Central Park contains lighted tennis courts, ball diamonds, a lighted basketball court, passive open space, picnic facilities, and a band shell. This park is located behind the Village Hall and is home to the annual Bethalto Homecoming, Bethalto Christmas Village, and several other events.

I visited in May but before it opened for the season, so here are some photos from the Village of Bethalto's Facebook page that show what it looks like with the water on. It's a huge splash pad with lots of variety. There are lots of ways kids can interact with and manipulate the water. There are dumping buckets, pole sprayers, pop jets, umbrella poles, and more. 

Just outside the splash pad is a large playground. Parts of it are older and parts have new playground equipment. There is an old metal slide, an old wooden play structure, old school rocking horses, a merry-go-round, swings, and rock walls. 

There are 2 baby swings, 2 sling swings, and a tire swing.

Old metal monkey bars.

Newer play structure with rock wall, stepping stools, webbed climber, and rock wall log. 

Older wooden play structure that has a bridge, slides, tic tac toe board, and various bars and poles. 

I've noticed that most of the splash pads in Illinois charge admission. I think we are spoiled here in Missouri where they are all free!

Altitude Trampoline Park, Glen Carbon, IL

Location: 91 Fountain Dr., Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Website: https://www.altitudeglencarbon.com/

This is your typical indoor trampoline park. You must sign a waiver before you can bounce. The good news is that any socks will do, they don't force you to buy their own brand of socks. They have all the amenities you'd expect including trampolines, a foam pit, rock wall, tumble tracks, basketball, dodge ball, an arcade, and a ninja course.

Ninja course

Party room

Cool climbing wall

There used to be an Altitude in O'Fallon MO, but it closed in early 2019.

The Sports Academy, Glen Carbon IL

Location: 101 The Game Dr., Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Website: http://www.thesportsacademy.net/playhouse/

The Sports Academy is an indoor soccer arena but they have an awesome indoor playground called the Playhouse. The Playhouse is in the front of the facility right when you walk in. It is open anytime the facility is open. They charge $4 per child and they will give you a wrist band that is valid until closing time. It's for kids ages 3 and up.  This would be a great place for kids to play on a rainy or cold day.