A water park is an indoor or outdoor amusement park that involves playing in and around water. It usually has features such as water slides and brightly colored areas for children to play and swim in. Although many water parks have a beach theme, some actually have real sand to play in near a pool that is often called a lagoon.
The lagoon in a water park is like a swimming pool, but is usually more creative in that it may include plastic palm tree-shaped slides and other tropical-themed play equipment. A water park is like a playground with the added fun of water. Many water parks have a splash zone, or play park in which sprinkler-like equipment creates fun sprays of water for children to play in.
Water parks also usually have water rides that are similar to non-water rides at regular amusement parks. For example, a water park may have bumper boats in a water-filled section rather than bumper cars in a concrete area. Lazy rivers are often a part of water parks. These are water-filled sections that people can float down on tubes or rafts. You can often find a good mix of thrilling water rides and relaxing water-filled areas in a water park.
A water park may also have hot tubs and some also have a wave pool. Larger water parks may have a large section with many different types and sizes of water slides rather than just one or two water slides. Most water parks have areas for toddlers and their parents. Some water parks also have other attractions on the grounds such as a petting zoo or a children's play gym.
Water parks usually sell food such as ice cream, cold drinks and hot dogs. They're often great places for children's birthday parties and an indoor water park is a good option for those in cooler climates. Most water parks don't allow outside food and drinks, but have reasonably-priced birthday party packages and do allow you to bring a birthday cake.