So you’ve got a little one who’d prefer to become accustomed to the pool without those periodic (and unintentional) slaps of water in the face from sharing space with the big kids? Many local pools offer dedicated tot time open swim hours and several of them offer discounted rates for these short sessions. Families can get an hour of swim time for half the price of a full days admission. Compare prices and find a pool near you.
For a more casual experience, parents and tots can visit any of the Free Minneapolis Wading Pools. In addition, the following Twin Cities pools are offering special tot times this summer solely for the purpose of helping youngsters get comfortable in the water:
TOT TIME OPEN SWIM TIMES AT TWIN CITIES OUTDOOR POOLS
Battle Creek Waterworks Tot Tuesdays
2401 Upper Afton Rd E, Maplewood, MN 55119
Dates: Ongoing Tuesdays starting June 14, 2022
Times: 10-11am
Admission: $2.50 per person over one year of age. An additional fee of $4.50/person applies if staying after 10:30 a.m.
Details: During this special time, tots can look forward to zero-depth entry, water tables and other age-appropriate splash opportunities.
Bloomington Family Aquatic Center Tot Time
201 E 90th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Dates: Mon-Fri, June 13-Aug 19, 2022
Times: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Admission: $8-$10/pp
Details: During open Tot Swim, cool off at the tot spray table in the zero-depth entry pool. 1:1 parent to child ratio required for children under 5.
Bunker Beach Water Park Tot Time
701 County Rd A, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Dates: June 30th, July 14, July 28, August 11 & August 18, 2022
Times: 9:30am-10:30am.
Admission: $5/swimmer; adults are free. (There is a $6 vehicle fee to enter the park)
Details: Special time for PreK’s and parents before the park opens to the public.
Read More About Bunker Beach Water Park Here.
Cascade Bay Little Mates
1360 Civic Center Drive, Eagan, MN 55122
Dates: June 10-Aug 28, 2022
Times: Daily (except Wednesday) 9:30am-10:30am
Admission: $6/child; one adult free with paid child.
Details: Swimmers and splashers ages 0-6 have the pool and sand to themselves before the water park opens for the day. New in 2022, the Orange Slide will be open for more adventurous tots. There must be one adult for every 4 children in attendance. Little Mates need to leave the pool when it opens to the public.
Read More About Cascade Bay Here.
Como Pool Tot Time
1151 Wynne Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Dates: Sundays, June 12 – September 4, 2022 (except July 3rd)
Times: 9:30am-11am
Admission: $4/child; $4/adult.
Details: Only the splash pad is open during this time for kids ages 6 and under with supervising adult.
Read More About Como Regional Park Pool Here.
Crystal Cove Little Splashers Pool-Time
Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, 4848 Douglas Drive N, Crystal, MN 55429
Dates: Saturdays, June 18 – August 20th (except July 2nd), 2022
Times: 10am-11:30am
Admission: $3/child; Adults Free.
Details: Only the zero-depth pool will be open for kids 7 and under with a parent.
Read More About Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
Inver Grove Heights Aquatic Center Sensory Friendly Swim Time
8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Dates/Times: See the Open Swim Calendar for dates and times
Admission: Ages 1-11: $6; Ages 12-59: $9; Ages 60+: $6; Under Age 1: FREE
Details: This time is designed for both toddlers and families seeking a sensory-friendly swim time. Many of the waterpark features are turned off or closed at this time – including the dumping bucket, water features and slides.
Lorraine Park Splash Pool Toddler Time
756 3rd Ave S, South St Paul, MN 55075
Dates: Monday-Thursday, June 13 – August 14th
Times: 11am-12:30pm
Admission: $5/pp, caregivers and children 2-3 yrs (cash only)
Details: The pools offers an interactive water feature and zero depth entry.
Read More About Lorraine Park & Pool
Richfield Outdoor Pool Tot Time
630 East 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423
Dates: Monday-Saturday, June 10 – August 21, 2022
Times: 10am-11am
Admission/Day Pass: Under 1: FREE; Tots: $9; Parents: $11
Details: Kids ages 7 and under and parents can have the zero-depth-entry wading pool and water play equipment to themselves for this hour.
Read More About Richfield Outdoor Pool
Sandventure Aquatic Park Splish & Splash Tot Time
1101 Adams St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays June 10 – Aug. 19, 2022
Times: 9:15-10:45 a.m.
Admission: $5/child; parents are free
Details: Kids ages 0-6 are welcome to swim in the zero-depth entry pool and play in the sand before the waterpark opens to the rest of the public.
St Louis Park Aquatic Center Parent & Tot Time
3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Dates: Monday-Friday, June 1, 2022 – August 23, 2022.
Times: 9:30am-11am
Admission: Under 1: FREE; $10/Residents; $15/Non-Residents; Season Pass holders: FREE.
Details: Exclusive use of the shallow end of the pool with its splash features for kids ages 6 and under and their caregivers.
TOT TIME OPEN SWIM TIMES AT INDOOR POOLS
Eden Prairie Community Center Pool Tot Open Swim
16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Dates: Tot Times continue to remain hold until further notice (updated 5/24/22)
Times: TBA (traditionally Tues & Thurs-Sun, 9am-12pm)
Admission: Members FREE, Ages 1-4 $5.50; Ages 5+ $6.50.
Details: Families with children 5 years of age & younger can bring other children up to age 7 during Tot Time Open Swim. One nice thing about Eden Prairie Community Center is that daily admission includes the choice of 2 activities on the purchase date. Combine your swim with tot gym, tot skate or Prairie Play Zone.
Read More About Eden Prairie Community Pool
What to Pack for Tot Swims:
- Swim diapers are consistently required for children not potty trained. Ask at the front desk if you forget, many facilities have swimmies available to purchase.
- Proper swimwear. Many pools have rules regarding what constitutes a swimsuit. Street clothes are generally not allowed, but some facilities allow a t-shirt over a swim suit for added sun protection.
- Sun protection is so easy to forget but so important on the water.
- Towels are another thing I tend to forget if I don’t plan ahead.
- Flotation Devices & Toys are allowed at some pools, but not others. You may want to call ahead before bringing anything
- Snacks. Always pack snacks for any outing. You won’t regret it.
We hope you find a pool or aquatics park that works for you and our pre-k. Start the kids off with these bite-size tot swims and pretty soon you’ll have a child joining you for lap swim or on the water slide.
MORE WATER FUN FOR LITTLE ONES
- Cool Off at Twin Cities Area Splash Pads & Wading Pools
- Splash Happy: Twin Cities Guide to Beaches, Pools & Water Parks
- 10 Twin Cities Beaches & Playgrounds to Try This Summer
- 10 MORE Twin Cities Beaches, Playgrounds & Attractions to Try This Summer
- FFTC Guide to Affordable Summer Water Fun
- Swim Lessons for Tots at Goldfish Swim School
Which pool is the one pictured?
Hi Kristen: The pool pictured is Como Regional Pool.Anne says her 4-year-old loves it because its shallow but has lots to do.
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