If your kids are anything like mine, summertime is all about finding the coolest playground splash pad. Seriously, where were these things when we were kids? We had either scorching hot asphalt playgrounds, or plastic kiddie pools and popsicles at home. Now, as parents, we can appreciate how great it is for our kids to be able to swing, slide, and cool off in one convenient, nearby spot. Here's our roundup for spraygrounds, splash pads, and water sprinkler parks in Fairfield County; best of all, most are free.

Check out our Connecticut Beach and Water Fun Guide for more ways to stay cool this summer. 

There's no shortage of shoreline in Fairfield County, but that doesn't mean you won't pine for an outdoor swimming pool from time to time.  Finding one you're allowed to use, however, may be more challenging than finding an affordable beach.  Many towns have never had them.  Others have shut them down for safety/insurance reasons.  That leaves a handful of town pools, and those at private clubs (and ok, yes, countless backyard pools, but we're assuming you gave up your fence-hopping days when Junior came along).  Mommy Poppins has done some digging, and found a handful you can pay to take a dip in for the day. 

Preschool. How could something so full of fun and games be so, so, so agonizingly difficult to select?!  Surely, there was a time when it was either 'the one around the corner,' or that 'Montessori one across town'. No more. The Montessori approach has been joined by Bank Street, Project Approach, and Reggio Emilia (and no doubt, others I've never heard of). There's also a wide range in cost. And scheduling. And wait for it…admissions requirements. There are easily hundreds, if not thousands of options for preschool in Fairfield County. Mommy Poppins and her friends have, at least, HEARD good things about the following preschools, or have children enrolled in them. Surely, we've missed some good ones, so please jump into the conversation and let us know where they are (especially you city dwellers out there - Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport)!