Finding a family day out that caters to all the kids can be tough - especially for parents of children with big age gaps.
Thankfully, water parks are a sure-fire hit with youngsters all ages. From splash parks to inflatable obstacle courses, there's something for everyone.
While Southend may not have any of its own water parks, there are plenty in Essex and on the county's borders that are well-worth the trip.
Here are some of the best within a 90-minute drive from the city:
Aqua Park Lakeside
The closest to Southend, this water park is just a 54-minute drive away, or around 50 minutes on the train, and returned to Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock in May.
Open all throughout the summer holidays, it is operated by one of the UK’s biggest inflatable water park operators, Aqua Park Group, and features obstacles including the popular The Mammoth, Flip or Flop and Blast Bags.
Tickets for the park can be booked online at aquaparkgroup.co.uk/aqua-park-lakeside and cost £20 for a one-hour session.
Maldon Splash Park
Hugely popular during the summer months, Maldon Splash Park offers the ideal environment for children and families to cool off in this hot weather.
Nestled within the Valley Play Area of the picturesque Promenade Park, the splash park has gentle water features and plenty of space to splash around.
It will be open from 10am until 5pm until September 8.
Curve Water Sports, St Osyth
The furthest from Southend but still just 76 minutes away, this water park on Mill Dam Lake boasts an an inflatable obstacle course but also specialises in a variety of water sports including wakeboarding, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.
It also has its own splash park for children between the ages of two and six, costing £10 per child with exciting slides and a fun climbing wall.
For details and to book, visit curvewatersports.co.uk/pages/aqua-park.
Barking Splash Park
As well as being a traditional splash park with plenty of fountains going up and down at different intervals, this water park in Barking Park, east London on the Essex border, also features a "Magical Unicorn Lake" and inflatable "Bounsea" land.
Families can also enjoy extra attractions during the summer months such as Walk-On-Water balls and little pedal boats, and meet the water park mascot Splashy when he's on duty.
With tickets costing just £8 per child, or from £22 per adult, Southenders can get to Barking Splash Park in just 53 minutes by car.
Visit https://splashparkbarking.co.uk for more information.
Aqua Action
In the heart of the large Fairlop Waters Country Park, which boasts a nature reserve, cafe, soft play and Greek restaurant, Aqua Action is just an 64-minute drive away from Southend on the Essex border in east London.
Aqua Action is a large on-lake inflatable obstacle course made up of climbable surfaces, floating walkways and slides. It is open all throughout the summer up until September 29, and also boasts Aqua Tots - a new "puddle park" suitable for children aged from one to eight.
For more information, visit https://www.aquaaction.co.uk/
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