$79 ($159 value) for a family four-pack to Raging Waves Waterpark in Yorkville.  Includes four tickets, four tube rentals, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks + bucket of fries.  Experience Illinois’ largest outdoor water park – sprawls over 45 acres, with 17 Water Slides, Wave Pool and Sandy Beach. Start with the Crocodile Mile family raft ride, twisting and turning through water tubes above the park. Take the steep drop down PJ’s Plummet, catapult yourself down the Platypus Plunge, run through the water fort, or super-soak your friends while traversing nets and bridges and dodging water-filled buckets. Finish the day with a leisurely float down the winding, lazy river and you’ll be glad you ventured beyond your backyard.

Limit one per person; additional three as gifts.

If you happen to live near where Jesus dropped his sandals (aka Rockford), have I got a deal for you:  $12 for a full day pass to Magic Waters Waterpark in Cherry Valley. There are also plenty of spots to buy food, ice cream, shaved ice and more, so have a picnic break before heading back to the tunnels, river and wave pool. Limit one per person per visit, but you can buy as many vouchers as you’d like. These livingsocial vouchers are valid for use August 1 to August 18 and August 24 to August 25 only.

$13 ($26 value) for admission for two to Sea Lion Aquatic Park in Lisle. Limit four per person, additional two as gifts. This is a great water park – it’s conveniently located, with lots of separate areas/pools for all age groups, from the zero depth baby splash pools to waterfalls and slides for the thrill-seeking teenagers.  And what looks like three lifeguards for every kid.