May is here, and across the UK, families are dusting off the sunscreen, loading up the car, and asking the big question: where are we going this month? From paddling pools in Cardiff to coastal adventures in Northern Ireland, we've mapped out the best places to explore with little feet (and bigger ones), and looked at exactly why Slipfree belongs in every family's bag this May.
May is made for adventure… Here’s How Families are Making it Safer
The moment the weather turns, something shifts. Gardens come back to life. Splash parks start reopening. Beaches start filling up. And play farms are at their best. May is genuinely one of the best months to get out and discover exciting days out with the family… Two Bank Holidays, a half term, and just enough warmth to make outdoor adventures feel worth it - at last!
But with adventure comes kids who love throwing their shoes aside… a multitude of floors you'd rather protect their feet from. From scorching astroturf in play areas. To slippery pool tiles. Wet splash pad flooring. Spikey rock pools and changing rooms that have been damp since approximately 1997. Little feet are fast, enthusiastic, and entirely unimpressed by the concept of being careful.
That's exactly where Slipfree comes in. Not to slow the adventure down, to keep it going without the slips, ‘Owchies’ underfoot, and stubbed toes that get in the way. Soft, flexible, with a sole that grips on wet and dry surfaces alike, Slipfree is the one thing we always recommend packing alongside the snacks, the sunglasses, and the waterproofs (well, it IS the UK!).
So, where do Slipfree families wear theirs? We asked our community, and here's what they told us.
Where Adventure Toes, Slipfree Protects
One of the things we love most about Slipfree is how many different settings it works in. Soooo much more than a simple swim shoe. Our community wears theirs everywhere, and we mean everywhere. Here are the places that came up most, and why Slipfree is the right call for each one.
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Paddling pools & garden water play |
Hot days, cold water, excited kids running full speed, garden paddling pools are brilliant, and they're also genuinely slippery. Wet grass, patios, and decking + bare feet = tears, more often than you'd think. Slipfree's ultra-grippy sole keeps little feet planted even when everything around them is wet. |
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Local lidos & outdoor pools |
Lidos are having a moment, and rightly so. But outdoor pool surfaces, stone, concrete, and old tiles are notoriously slippery when wet. Slipfree are designed to swim in and keep you safe on the poolside, meaning no 'put your shoes on' moment to navigate every five minutes. |
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Water parks & splash parks |
The surfaces at water parks and splash parks are designed to be hosed down and drained, which means they're wet, smooth, and mixed with excited kids… a parent's nightmare. Slipfree's grip is specifically designed for exactly this kind of surface, and unlike flip-flops, they stay on properly during slides and runs through water jets, dry quickly, and are comfortable enough to play all day. |
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The beach |
Rock pools, slippery seaweed, shells, broken pebbles, forgotten litter… beaches are wonderful, but they're full of hazards for your feet. Slipfree also protects against weever fish (which lurk in sand in shallow water along many UK beaches), cuts from shells, and the kind of sun-baked sand that scorches feet in seconds on a hot day. Plus, unlike other beach shoes, they dry off instantly and are flexible enough to swim in. Slipfree's UPF 50+ fabric also provides sun protection for little feet during long days outside. |
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Play centres |
This one surprises people, but it's one of our most common answers. Play centres & play cafes have smooth floors, foam mats, and ball pools, all of which can be slippery when little feet are moving at full pace. Flexible and protective Slipfree provides grip without interfering with the climbing and bouncing that soft play is all about. |
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Swimming lessons |
Pool tiles, the walk from changing rooms to the pool, the poolside, post-swim showers when everyone’s getting grouchy, all classic slip hazards. Many parents tell us Slipfree has become a non-negotiable for swim lesson days. They go on in the changing room… swim… shower… deep breaths, then off at the exit. Simple, quick, done. For kids and Parents! |
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Hot astroturf & parks |
On warm days, astroturf and metal climbing frames can get genuinely hot, and bare feet on hot surfaces is not a fun experience for anyone. Plus, public sandpits and play areas often hide unknown owchies… But when the sun comes out, the shoes come off! Packing a pair of Slipfree means kids' feet are protected from a number of potential dangers at the park! |
6 brilliant days out this May (with Slipfree on the packing list)
Looking for inspiration with Bank Holidays and half term loading? Here are some of our favourite family day out ideas across the UK for May, a mix of free, paid, indoors, and out.
The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall, Cheshire · Award-winning family attraction · indoor & outdoor · Paid |
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The Ice Cream Farm is one of the UK's most loved family days out. An award-winning attraction in the Cheshire countryside built specifically for young children. As well as the famous ice cream parlour, there's Daisy's Garden outdoor playground (included with entry), sand and water play at Honeycomb Canyon, indoor soft play in the Fun Factory, a sensory playground, mini golf, a racing track, and more. With both indoor and outdoor attractions, it works in any weather, making it a brilliant bank holiday or half term destination. Why bring Slipfree: The sand and water play area at Honeycomb Canyon is pure Slipfree territory, with wet surfaces, sandy ground, and kids moving fast between features. Slipfree can be worn from the moment you arrive, through soft play and outdoor play, without ever needing to change shoes. Bonus: the site also stocks Slipfree, so you can grab a pair on the day. |
Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England · Indoor water park · Paid |
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One of the UK's most popular indoor water parks, Waterworld, in the heart of the Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent! An epic adventure for the whole family to enjoy, with over 30 different rides and attractions, including Thunderbolt, the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide! Why bring Slipfree: Essential here. The combination of wet floors, kids running, and a full day of water activity is exactly what Slipfree was made for. Goes on in the changing room and stays on all day, in and out of the water, for the whole family. |
The Time Capsule, Coatbridge, Scotland · Indoor water park & ice rink · Paid |
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The Time Capsule is a brilliant wet-and-wild day out near Glasgow, with a prehistoric-themed water park featuring flumes, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a whirlpool alongside a full-size ice rink. It's a genuine all-day destination for families with kids of all ages. Why bring Slipfree: The pool surrounds and walkways throughout the water park are exactly the kind of smooth, constantly wet surface where Slipfree earns its keep. Wear them as you explore, swim, and play all day! |
Victoria Park Splashpad, Cardiff Wales · Free splash park · Free |
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Cardiff's Victoria Park is home to one of the best free splash pads in Wales, a seasonal water play area packed with jets, sprinklers, and water features that kids can run through and explore. It's a brilliant free option on a warm May day, especially for younger children who just want to get soaked. They also offer relaxed sessions for children with additional needs. Why bring Slipfree: Slippery splash pad surfaces and lots of fast-moving little feet. Slipfree's grip means kids can run, splash, and play freely without the slip risk, and the quick-dry fabric means no soggy, heavy shoes for the walk home. |
Let's Go Hydro, Belfast, Northern Ireland · Outdoor water park & inflatables · Paid |
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Set beside the Knockbracken Reservoir on the outskirts of Belfast, Let's Go Hydro is an action packed outdoor water park featuring inflatable obstacle courses, slides, kayaking, and open water swimming. It's one of Northern Ireland's most popular family water days out, and the inflatables and lake setting make it genuinely unlike anywhere else. Why bring Slipfree: The inflatable water park involves lots of climbing, scrambling, and jumping on wet surfaces, exactly the conditions where grip matters most. Slipfree is ideal for the transition areas between water and lakeside - protection from owchies, and the barefoot feel means full movement on the inflatables. |
Northcroft Leisure Centre & Lido, Newbury Berkshire, England · Leisure centre · Soft play · Lido · Splash pad · Paid |
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Northcroft is one of our favourite all-weather family destinations in the south of England, and a proud Slipfree stockist. On a rainy May day, the indoor 25m pool, teaching pool, and multi-level soft play keep kids of all ages thoroughly entertained. When the sun finally shows up, the newly refurbished Northcroft Lido is something special: a 50m heated outdoor pool with an interactive splash pad, a near-six-metre spiral flume, and racer slides, set around a beautiful sun terrace with colourful beach huts. It genuinely feels like a seaside day out without leaving Berkshire.
Why bring Slipfree: With two pools, a splash pad, changing rooms, and a soft play area all under one (or no) roof, Northcroft is a Slipfree setting from start to finish. The wet tile surfaces throughout, the poolside, and the splash pad are all exactly the kind of ground where grip matters. The brilliant news? You can pick up your Slipfrees right there, Northcroft stocks the full range in centre. Pro Tip: Book your lido session in advance via the Everyone Active app or at everyoneactive.com. It's very popular on sunny days, and sessions do sell out. |
Best free splash parks in the UK
Not every great water day costs a penny. Across the UK, councils and parks have invested in brilliant free splash pads and water play areas, perfect for a spontaneous warm-day adventure. Here is a regional round-up of some of the best.
Always check opening dates before visiting; most splash parks are seasonal (May to September), and some require booking in advance.
London
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Clissold Park Splash Pad |
Stoke Newington N16 — hackney.gov.uk |
Free |
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Kensington Memorial Park Water Play |
Notting Hill W11 — rbkc.gov.uk |
Free |
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Appearing Rooms Fountains |
Southbank SE1 — southbankcentre.co.uk |
Free |
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More London Fountains |
London Bridge SE1 — morelondon.com |
Free |
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Olympic Park Water Jets |
Stratford E20 — queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk |
Free |
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Danson Park Splash Park |
Bexley DA6 — bexley.gov.uk |
Free |
South of England
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Northcroft Lido Splash Pad |
Newbury, Berkshire — everyoneactive.com |
Paid (with lido) |
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Gadebridge Splash Park |
Hemel Hempstead, Herts — dacorum.gov.uk |
Free |
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Jubilee Beach Fountains |
Southend-on-Sea, Essex — southend.gov.uk |
Free |
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Ferry Meadows Splash Pad |
Peterborough, Cambs — nenepark.org.uk |
Free |
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Swanley Park Splash Pool |
Swanley, Kent — swanleypark.co.uk |
£1 per person |
Midlands
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Sandwell Valley Splash Pad |
West Bromwich, West Midlands — rspb.org.uk |
Free |
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Wicksteed Park Splash Zone |
Kettering, Northants — wicksteedpark.co.uk |
Free (park entry) |
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Cannon Hill Park Water Play |
Birmingham — birmingham.gov.uk |
Free |
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City Park Mirror Pool |
Bradford, West Yorks — bradford.gov.uk |
Free |
North of England
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Clifton Park Splash Park |
Rotherham, South Yorks — rotherham.gov.uk |
Free |
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Valley Gardens Paddling Pool |
Harrogate, North Yorks — harrogate.gov.uk |
Free |
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East Park Splash Park |
Hull, East Yorks — hullcc.gov.uk |
Free (booking advised) |
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Peace Gardens Fountains |
Sheffield City Centre — sheffield.gov.uk |
Free |
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Millhouses Park Water Play |
Sheffield — sheffield.gov.uk |
Free |
Wales
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Victoria Park Splashpad |
Canton, Cardiff — cardiff.gov.uk |
Free |
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Splash Port |
Newport — newport.gov.uk |
Free |
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Blackpill Lido |
Swansea — swansea.gov.uk |
Free |
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Pencoedtre Park Splash Pad |
Barry, Vale of Glamorgan — valeofglamorgan.gov.uk |
Free |
Scotland
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Falkirk Wheel Splash Park |
Falkirk — scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel |
Free |
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Portobello Promenade Splash Zone |
Edinburgh — edinburgh.gov.uk |
Free |
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Dumfries House Water Play |
Cumnock, Ayrshire — dumfries-house.org.uk |
Free (grounds entry) |
Northern Ireland
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Name |
Location |
Price |
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Pickie Funpark Splash Pad |
Bangor, County Down — pickiefunpark.com |
Free (rides extra) |
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Ormeau Park Splash Pad |
Belfast — belfastcity.gov.uk |
Free |
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Lagan Valley Regional Park |
Lisburn — laganvalleyisland.co.uk |
Free |
Know a great free splash park near you that we've missed? Tag us @slipfreeuk, and we'll add it to the list.
What makes Slipfree the adventure shoe for families
We get asked all the time what makes Slipfree different from the water shoes and aqua shoes you'll find on the high street. The honest answer is: the details. Here's what parents tell us matters most, and why we've spent ten years getting each of these right.
Soft, flexible sole, for a true barefoot feelThe Slipfree sole is designed to be as close to barefoot as possible, flexible, thin, and responsive underfoot. This matters because children's feet are still developing, and rigid or overly structured shoes can interfere with that natural process. The grip comes from the material and tread pattern, not from bulk… Plus, they are designed to swim in, meaning all day play, in the water and out! |
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabric
Every Slipfree shoe is made from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabric, which means it's been tested for harmful substances and certified safe against skin. For parents buying footwear for babies, toddlers, and children, this is one of the most important credentials to look for. It's not a marketing claim, it's a verified, internationally recognised standard. |
Sun Safe UPF 50+ protection
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Sunburnt feet are more common than you'd think, especially on sandy beaches and around outdoor pools where feet are exposed all day. Slipfree's fabric provides UPF 50+ protection, meaning it blocks over 98% of harmful UV rays. It's one of those things you don't think about until you need it. P.s. we also do a range of
Protection from verrucas, cuts, and scrapesPublic pools, splash parks, and beach environments are all places where verrucas spread easily through direct contact. Slipfree creates a full barrier between feet and any surface, protecting against verrucas, cuts from shells and stones, and the kind of scrapes that come with adventurous play. |
Available for the whole family, baby to adult XXXLSlipfree is available from tiny baby sizes right through to adult XXXL (sizes 11–12), which means the whole family is covered, including parents and grandparents who need grip on wet surfaces just as much as the kids do. Our Mini-me collection with matching designs from kids and adults is perfect for family that love a bit of twinning! |
Trusted by UK families for over 10 yearsSlipfree has been keeping UK families safe since 2015. Thanks to the discovery by sisters Jo and Lou on their family holiday, that's ten years of real families wearing Slipfree, for real adventures, at pools, beaches, water parks, soft plays, and gardens across the country. Everything we've learned in that time goes back into every pair we make. |
Where are you adventuring this May?
This map is just a start. Across the UK, Slipfree families are heading to lidos, splash pads, adventure parks, beaches, and back gardens, and we want to hear about all of it.
Tag us @slipfreeuk in your May adventures, and we'll share our favourites. Whether it's your first paddling pool of the year or a full-on water park day, we want to see where the adventures take you this month.
Ready to kit out the family for May? Shop our full range below, from baby and toddler shoes right through to the adult range, including our Family Match collection for the whole crew.
Shop the Slipfree range• Family Match collection Free delivery on orders over £40 · Secure checkout · slipfree.co.uk |
