Kids love the swimming baths whatever the weather, but with the summer finally here there's no better way to cool off than with a dip.

And we're not just talking any old pool, we're talking slides, splash zones and more to occupy the whole family.

There's something to suit everyone, from toddler-friendly paddling to more extreme offerings perfect for thrill-seeking teenagers.

We've been taking a look at the best pools and water parks in or within easy reach of Greater Manchester.

You might be surprised by what's on offer in our region.

Life Leisure Grand Central, Stockport

The small swimming pool, Oasis splash pool and 50 metre flumes underwent a big refurb a couple of years ago, which also saw a new children's splash pool added.

You'll need to book a slot to swim, and classes for kids are back up and running.

There's Baby Splash for children up to two years old, Little Splashers for those aged between two and four, and Swim Tots lessons for anyone aged between one and four.

Adult swims here cost £4.40, junior swims are £2.50, and children under three swim free.

Visitors to Grand Central can now get two hours' free parking using the NCP multi-storey car park. Any longer will be charged at the normal rate including the first two hours.

Customers must validate their parking ticket using the machine at reception, with the two hours parking offer available only to Life Leisure Grand Central customers.

Grand Central Square, Wellington Road South, Stockport | lifeleisure.net/our-centres/grand-central

Hyde Leisure Pool, Tameside

There's loads of fun to be had in the water at Hyde Leisure Pool.

Based in the Active Hyde leisure centre, the large pool is packed with features such as the Red Ripster slide and water cannons, wave machine and water rapids, and geysers and bubble beds.

There's a limited offering available for now, though the Wally Walrus sessions at weekends are still running - children up to eight years of age can learn swim skills and play games.

Parent and Tot swim sessions are also still taking place on Friday afternoons.

For the latest on timetables, ticket prices and opening hours, visit the website.

See the website for more details.

Active Hyde, Walker Lane, Hyde, SK14 5PL | activetameside.com/centre/hyde-leisure-pool

Sandcastle, Blackpool

We couldn't write about the best water parks without featuring the UK's largest indoor water park.

Families visiting Sandcastle Waterpark at Blackpool can enjoy more than 18 slides and attractions including water slides, fun pools, a wave machine, water chutes and more.

Best of all, it's all set in a tropical 29°C climate, usually quite at odds with whatever's happening outside on the Fylde coast.

The water park costs £18 for juniors, up to the age of 11, and £22 for those 12 and over. Under threes are free.

The admission includes Hyperzone wristbands, which gains you access to the four thrill seeking slides - Aztec Falls, Montazooma, Sidewinder and Masterblaster.

Sandcastle Waterpark, South Beach, Blackpool, FY4 1BB | sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk

Huddersfield Leisure Centre

It's not in Manchester, but many families reckon the 45-minute trip is well worth it for the facilities at Huddersfield Leisure Centre.

Its Splash Park and slides is billed as 'the best leisure water experience in West Yorkshire' and includes a fun pool for the younger ones, a water flume, Sidewinder (currently closed) and lazy river.

If you book online, adults pay £4.40 to swim without slides, or £5.95 to include slide access. For juniors aged betwen three and 15, it's £2.50 to swim or £4.50 to swim and go on the slides. Children under two cost £1.

Prices are a little more expensive if you book at reception.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre, Spring Grove Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4BP | yeahdaysout.co.uk/splash-park

Water World, Stoke

Another one that's a bit of a drive from Manchester is Stoke's Water World - home to the UK's first indoor water rollercoaster.

There's a smaller area with slides suitable for younger ones, while older and braver ones can plummet through the black hole slide, speed on the superflume or tackle The Nucleus, which actually blasts you up the slide in a rubber ring.

The multi-lane multi-coloured slide is bound to be a hit with the kids of all ages.

Tickets cost £19.50 per person, or £15 for those under 1.1m, with cheaper tickets at off-peak times. Family tickets are £18.50, or you can get a parent and toddler ticket for £19.99.

See the website for more details and to book. It's open 10am to 5pm at weekends.

Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5PU | waterworld.co.uk

Ribby Hall, near Blackpool

You might think it's only a place you can visit for a short break, but you can actually visit Ribby Hall's tropical island themed swimming pool as a day visitor at weekends and in the school holidays.

Featuring unique water slides, huge palm trees, interactive water features and a children's splash zone, the £1.6m pool opened in 2017.

Around an hour's drive from Manchester, in Wrea Green near Blackpool, it's a popular destination for families and the modern pool is on the site of the old family pool and also includes a real thatched feature Tiki Hut.

The open splash lagoon in shallow waters encourages smaller children to enjoy the water with plenty to stimulate and encourage interaction, while the water slides have been designed to appeal to all children.

There are racer slides and a large interactive flume which takes riders outside the building over the roof and back in. During this ride they can take part in an interactive reaction game which gives each rider a personal score and a photograph of them riding the slide.

The rider can then choose to upload this directly to their social media account from the poolside on an interactive touch screen.

It's £7 for adults and £5 for juniors over two before 4.30pm, then £10 for adults and £7 for juniors after 4.30pm.

Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, near Blackpool, Lancashire | ribbyhall.co.uk/swimming