Last week, I wrote about some of the best places in Ottawa to let your kids jump and run around. Now, I’m giving you some more indoor activity options with my list of the best Ottawa area pools to take the family. Going for a swim is one of the best ways to tire my kids out. But let’s face it – it tires me out too. Taking your kids to the pool can be a lot of work. Just getting everyone changed and in and out of the water is exhausting. So it is imperative to find a swimming pool that makes the family outing as easy, safe and fun as can be.

Dovercourt Recreation Centre

The pool at Dovercourt Rec Centre in Westboro is a great pick for families. Currently my son and daughter are both in swimming lessons there. It’s pretty awesome, my 3 year old is in a swim lesson at one end of the pool, while my 1 year old and I attend the ‘Parent and Tot’ swim class at the other end of the pool.

PROS:

The biggest plus for kids is the fact that Dovercourt is a warm pool, really perfect for little ones. There is also a decent sized, marked off shallow end with a little slide for toddlers. There is also a separate toddler pool, which is even warmer (don’t overthink it 🙂 and full of buckets and squeeze toys for kids to play with. For the older kids there is a large water slide and rope swing (only in operation at certain times) and a basketball hoop in the water.

There is also a family change room available, and there are play pens to put your babies in the mens and womens change rooms.

Dovercourt offers at least an hour of Family swim time, or Open swim time every day of the week.

CONS:

Dovercourt offers a ton of swimming lessons, so that means open swim times are only offered for an hour or so a day, so if those times don’t work for you – you’re out of luck. Dovercourt’s biggest con is probably how busy it can get. It’s a popular pool, and for good reason, so during these colder winter months it can get crazy busy particularly on the weekends.

For more information on available swim times visit the Dovercourt website

Kanata Wave Pool

The Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool is a large and inviting swim destination. It’s located right off the 417, and just a quick drive from Ottawa central.

PROS:

Probably the biggest plus for me about the Kanata Wave Pool is how much open swim time is offered. You can pretty much find a swim time every day of the week, almost all day long.

There is also a great toddler pool, which is pleasantly warm. The toddler pool has toys to play with and a few sprinkler showers for the kids to run through.

The wave pool and the large water slide are a lot of fun for older kids. The wave pool is only in operation at select times, so make sure you check before going.

There is a good seating area with tables right on the pool deck, next to the toddler pool. So for a mother who needs to sit and nurse a baby, she doesn’t need to even leave the pool.

CONS:

The wave pool is considerably cooler than the toddler pool (it always makes me shiver).

I don’t love the change rooms. I wish the family change room had a play pen, it would have made my life easier when the kids were younger.

For more information on the Kanata Wave Pool check out https://ottawa.ca/2/en/residents/facilities/kanata-leisure-centre-and-wave-pool

Plant Pool

This pool and recreation centre is on the corner of Somerset and Preston. It underwent extensive renovations in 2004, and still has a relatively “newer” feel to it more than a decade later.

PROS:

Plant has two pools – a large lap pool and a decent sized second pool for young families. The family pool has floatie toys, balls and noodles. It’s a nice temperature for kids.

On weekdays there are few open swim times offered, usually at least one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It gives parents options to work around nap times, etc.

I really like the change rooms at Plant. They are big, big enough for a stroller and there is a play pen for babies.

Another pro, although not swim related, is the fact that Plant Recreation Centre is located within walking distance to Art Is In (makes for the most delicious post swim coffee or lunch date).

CONS:

The shallowest area of the pool, which is best for toddlers is also the ramp to get into the pool. It can often get pretty busy, and then add people walking into the actual pool. Plant pool isn’t as big as some of Ottawa’s other rec pools, so it can fill up fast on weekends, when there is usually only one hour of public swim time offered.

To find out the swim schedule visit the Plant Rec Website

Splash Wave Pool

So far I’ve only featured pools on the westside of Ottawa (sorry! that’s what’s closest to my house) but Splash Wave Pool is a favourite destination on Ottawa’s eastside.

PROS:

There are huge windows which allow for lots of natural light. It’s always nice to see the snow falling outside as you are enjoying a warm pool indoors.

There is a huge, warm kid wading area. It’s great for all ages from newborn to older kids. There are fountains and slides for the kids to play with.

Splash is a great place to meet and chat with other parents. It generally isn’t too busy, just a social and friendly atmosphere.

Public swim time is from 10:30 am-1:00pm during the week. It’s a perfect time slot for a pre-nap activity. The waves are not on during this time, so little kids can also swim and play in the larger pool too. At 1:00 pm the wave pool turns on, and it does get much busier then.

There is a space with table and chairs on deck where you can stop for a snack break.

There is also a library next door, so you can combine a trip to the pool with a book stop!

CONS:

The hours of operation on the weekend aren’t optimal for young kids. The family swim starts at noon, which is often too close to nap time for parents with babies and toddlers who still nap (for your sake I hope your kids still nap!)

Much like the Kanata Leisure Centre, the Splash Wave Pool (the larger pool) is also considerably cooler than the wading pool.

For more information check out the Splash Wave Pool website

Jack Purcell Pool

Jack Purcell Community Centre and Pool is in the heart of downtown, just off of busy Elgin street.

PROS:

Jack Purcell is used as a rehabilitation pool, and as a result it is the warmest place to swim in town. The additional warmth is really nice when you have a little one under the age of one, because you never worry if they are getting cold. It’s pretty much a massive bathtub.

It’s rarely busy. My friend Liz, who lives right down the block, says she has had the entire pool to herself a few times.

There are floating devices for the little babies, so you can move around and get a little exercise as the babies float beside you. There is also a mini slide for toddlers. It goes right off the edge of the pool into the shallow end.

CONS:

Jack Purcell isn’t as interactive for toddlers as the other pools I’ve mentioned. There is no designated kid area, and nothing specifically for them (beyond the above mentioned slide).

It is also in the basement of the community centre, so you don’t get any natural light while you swim.

Although the warmth is great for little ones, some parents might actually find it to be too warm.

For more information and swim times check out the Jack Purcell website

I hope this helps you choose where to take your next swim! If I missed a great pool, I’d love to hear your tips too 🙂