America's water parks, whether indoor or outdoor, provide a safe and fun environment for kids of all ages – and their parents – to cool off and unwind. While wave pools and waterslides have their appeal, they're not always kid-friendly. USA TODAY 10Best asked readers to vote for their favorite water park zones made especially for kids, and the results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Water Park Kids' Area are as follows:
- Ransack Ridge at Wild West - Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
- Safari Sam's SplashLand at Splashin' Safari - Santa Claus, Ind.
- East Coast Waterworks at Hersheypark - Hershey, Penn.
- Sand Castle Cove at Schlitterbahn - South Padre, Texas
- Han's Hideout at Schlitterbahn - New Braunfels, Texas
- Joker Soaker at LEGOLAND California - Carlsbad, Calif.
- Joker Soaker at LEGOLAND Florida - Winter Haven, Fla.
- Tadpole Bay at Noah's Ark - Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
- Splash Attack at Adventure Island - Tampa
- Fossil Falls at Lost World - Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Additional nominees for Best Water Park Kids' Area included Baboon Lagoon at Zoombezi Bay, Bear Mountain Fire Tower at Splash Country, Blastaway Beach at Wet 'n Wild Orlando, Buccaneer Beach at Splashwater Kingdom, Ketchakiddee Creek at Typhoon Lagoon, Ski Patrol Training Camp at Blizzard Beach, Splash Zone at Soak City, Tree House Island at Six Flags White Water, Walkabout Waters at Aquatica Orlando and Walkabout Waters at Aquatica San Diego.
10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners.
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The Experts
Dave Parfitt
A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience,... Read More
A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience, Dave Parfitt began writing about his family travel adventures after surviving a trip to Walt Disney World as father of two budding princesses. As owner and editor of AdventuresbyDaddy.com, Dave offers family travel advice and escapist fun from Dad’s point of view. Dave’s travel articles and photos have appeared in US News & World Report, Fox News Travel, Huff Post, USAToday, Family Circle Magazine, and more. He has appeared as a family travel expert on nationally syndicated radio shows, newspaper articles, and around the internet.
Dave Parfitt

A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience, Dave Parfitt began writing about his family travel adventures after surviving a trip to Walt Disney World as father of two budding princesses. As owner and editor of AdventuresbyDaddy.com, Dave offers family travel advice and escapist fun from Dad’s point of view. Dave’s travel articles and photos have appeared in US News & World Report, Fox News Travel, Huff Post, USAToday, Family Circle Magazine, and more. He has appeared as a family travel expert on nationally syndicated radio shows, newspaper articles, and around the internet.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice... Read More
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Lydia Schrandt

Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.