By Kristina Allen Moy, Red Tricycle

We know the days of basking in the sun by the pool are still a long way off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your aquatic fix. We’ve rounded up the best indoor pools in Seattle (and beyond) where your little water bugs can splash around on a rainy day. And the best part? For those pools with lifeguards, you may even get to enjoy a few moments to yourself.

Mountlake Terrace Pool

There’s a reason that the Mountlake Terrace Pool is a favorite birthday party spot. Where else can you float along a lazy river or splash in a shallow end filled with geysers, “Toddler Island,” and built-in spray toys? No need to wait for a birthday party though—just go during one of their recreation or leisure pool swim times. During recreation swim, the leisure pool, lazy river and main pool are all open. The lazy river is great fun, with a gentle current to push you along, and plenty of inner tubes and noodles are available for your ride. During leisure pool swim, only the leisure pool is open. With a depth range from 6 inches to 3 feet, a beach-like entry, and padded floor, the leisure pool is perfect for tots six and under.

Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion Swimming Pool
5303 228th St. S.W.
Mountlake Terrace, Wa 98043
425-776-9173

Online: cityofmlt.com/cityServices/recreation/indoorPool/indoorPool.htm

Snohomish Aquatic Center

Snohomish Aquatic Center

If you’re looking for an indoor pool with lots of bells and whistles, the Snohomish Aquatic Center is your one stop destination for family fun. Opened in February of 2014, this ginormous indoor facility includes a giant corkscrew water slide, lazy river, spray area, and totally awesome FlowRider surf machine so your kids can Hang 10 over winter break. The facility also has a recreation pool with lap lanes and basketball hoops and an open area for kids to play or tots to get their toes wet. The best part? The water here is kept at an amazing 84-86 degrees. Not only is it heaven getting in, but it feels so nice you may never want to get out. Looking for something a bit warmer? The warm water pool is even toastier at 102 degrees.

The weekends can get really busy so plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before the start of the swim session you want to attend. Check the pool schedule before you go.

Good to Know: If you’re looking for a place to throw your water bug’s next birthday bash, the Aquatic Center offers a variety of party packages on Saturdays and Sundays. Packages start at $225 and include pizza and drinks, pool time, and time in the party room.

Snohomish Aquatic Center
516 Maple Ave.
Snohomish, Wa 98290
360-568-8030

Online: snohomishaquatic.com

Seattle Parks and Recreation Pools

All Seattle Parks and Recreation pools have public swim times, where at least a portion of the pool is open for all-ages recreational swimming, and family swim times, which are more focused on family play, and often include flotation devices and pool toys. Some pools also have special features and events, like Dive In Movie Fridays at Medgar Evers Pool, where you can swim with the lights out while watching a family-friendly flick.

At Meadowbrook Pool, the pool is open for family swim on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. with water toys, slides and noodles. Of course, the highlight of this pool is the rope swing, which will send your kiddos soaring over the water before they come splashing down.

The Queen Anne Pool has diving boards and a rope swing, and the Ballard Pool has a rope swing and slide. The Ballard Pool, though filled with all kinds of floaty toys and rafts to play on, can get crowded if there are too many people. We recommend saving this pool for the slower weekday mornings, when the younger set won’t be competing for pool space.

And if you’re in South Seattle, be sure to check out the newly remodeled Rainier Beach Community Center Pool. This awesome pool includes a waterslide, baby pool, lazy river and spray and play park plus a six-lane lap pool and additional space for birthday parties.

Lynnwood Recreation Center Pool

If you need a reason to head north of Seattle, the Lynnwood Recreation Center Pool is it! This super-popular pool includes two big water slides, sprayers, a lazy river, inner tubes, diving boards, water playground, spray fountains and a family hot tub plus a lap pool and warm-water therapy pool. Little ones will especially love “Beach Swim” when the shallow play area is open with a water depth up to two feet.

Good to Know: The pool gets extremely busy on the weekends so plan on arriving early (at least a half hour before an open swim session) to guarantee a spot or go during the week and avoid the crowds.

Lynnwood Recreation Center & Pool
18900 44th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, Wa
425-670-5REC (5732)

Online: ci.lynnwood.wa.us/PlayLynnwood/RecCenter.htm

Safe N Sound Swimming

With a location in downtown Seattle, Safe N Sound Swimming offers family swim times on the weekends for their members. For just $10 per family, you and your water bugs can enjoy a lazy day at the pool. They also offer an awesome one-on-one swim lesson program that will get your tykes comfortable in the water as well as great birthday party packages.

Safe N Sound Swimming – Seattle
2040 Westlake Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98109
206-285-9279

Online: snsswim.com

Wave Aquatics Centers

A shallow swim and play area is open during public swim at both the Redmond and Juanita Aquatics Centers, and for a big splash, both diving boards are available as well. Families love these pools because of their great amenities including their birthday party packages which include pool time and everything you need for the party including pizza, plates, utensils, a happy birthday banner and more.

Redmond Aquatics Center
17535 N.E. 104th St.
Redmond, Wa 98052
425-883-4422

Online: teamunify.com

Juanita Aquatics Center
10601 N.E. 132nd St.
Kirkland, Wa 98034
425-936-1627

Online: teamunify.com

Olympic Cascade Aquatics Mary Wayte Pool

On Mercer Island, the Mary Wayte Swimming Pool has family and public swims and a monthly movie nights through the end of March. The pool’s schedule changes seasonally with the school year and competitive seasons so it’s a good idea to check the schedule before you go. Families can also rent the pool on Saturday afternoons (following public swim) for birthday parties or private events. Each party includes at least two lifeguards so you can sit back and enjoy the party while someone else keeps an eye on your little swimmers. Movie party packages include rental of the pool, a movie projector and sound system, up to 35 people in the water, and the party room for an hour afterwards. Bring the movie of your choice and pool staff will set up the rest!

Mary Wayte Pool
8815 S.E. 40th
Mercer Island, Wa 98040
206-588-1117

Online: mercerislandpool.com

Bellevue Aquatic Center

This one-of-a-kind aquatic center was built for therapy and rehabilitation, but is available for public open swim. The Bellevue Aquatic Center has two pools with six lap lanes, a diving tank, a 10-foot slide, and a 5-foot mini slide for lil’ swimmers. The Warm Springs pool has a wheelchair ramp and average waters temps of 91 degrees. The Blue Lagoon pool and party room are available for rental so if a birthday bash is in your future, this would be a great option.

Bellevue Aquatic Center
601 143rd Ave N.E.
Bellevue, Wa 98007
425-452-4444

Online: bellevuewa.gov/aquatic_center.htm

Federal Way Community Center Pool

The Federal Way Community Center Pool boasts an impressive two story water slide, complete with three twists and turns (riders must be at least 48 inches to ride, and they do have someone at the top to check), two smaller slides for little water bugs, and plenty of inner tubes and noodles to ride along in the lazy river. For those who want a real workout, jump into their whirlpool and try and run against the current or hit the six-lane, 25-yard lap pool with one-meter diving board. At a $4 admission fee, your kids will get unlimited access to the pool, the Center’s 27-foot climbing wall, and three athletic gyms which all equals hours of fun without breaking the bank!

Federal Way Community Center Pool
876 S. 333rd St.
Federal Way, Wa 98003
253-835-6900

Online: itallhappenshere.org

Julius Boehm Pool

The Julius Boehm Pool is anther public pool that offers open swim times during the weekdays and on Saturdays. Families can purchase a daily pass or membership pass to use both the Issaquah Community Center and the pool. In addition to public swim, the pool offers great birthday party packages, swim lessons, and special events throughout the year.

Good to Know: The pool closed in Nov. 2014 for renovations, but is expected to reopen in mid-2015. The project will add new changing rooms, lockers, restrooms and showers. Other upgrades will include a new pool liner and a deck coating that’s gentler on bare feet.

Julius Boehm Pool
50 S.E. Clark St.
Issaquah, Wa 98027
425-837-3350

Online: ci.issaquah.wa.us