There’s no need to worry about the Phoenix summer weather, the intense heat, or the same old places you’re still considering taking your kids to—even if they aren’t offering an escape from the Arizona heat—Phoenix is home to plenty of splash pad options for kids to cool off and have some fun without having to spend much money or anything!
Splash pads are the best option to cool off during the summer months if you don’t want to break the bank! Unlike water parks or pools that may require admission fees or memberships, most Phoenix area splash pads are free. This makes them an ideal option for families on a budget who still want to give their kids a memorable and fun summer experience. As most splash pads are located in parks and playgrounds, families can also enjoy picnic spots, green spaces, and simply being under the blue Phoenix summer sky.
Splash pads in Phoenix consist of various water sprays, jets, fountains, and interactive elements that spray or release water in different patterns and directions. This makes them safer, as there is no standing water or deep pools; hence, the risk of drowning is eliminated. The water features are designed to be gentle and non-threatening, making them suitable for children of all ages.
There are many pros to splash pads: they provide a safe and fun environment for children to cool off during the hot months, encourage physical activity, and promote social interaction. They also conserve water compared to traditional swimming pools since the water is continuously recycled.
From centrally located parks to neighborhood destinations, Phoenix boasts a diverse range of splash pads. Each of these options has its own unique features and designs.
Take a look at our top picks for spray parks for kids and splash pads in Phoenix:
Best Places to Cool Off with Kids: Splash Pads!
1
Altadena Park Spray Pad
This park not only offers a playground, picnic area, grills, and a ramada, but is also home to a great splash pad in which kids can run through loops, spraying bullfrogs, cannons, and monkeys!2
The Cloud at Kiwanis Park
The Cloud, Tempe’s largest splash play amenity, is the place for summer fun for families in Phoenix! Located at the North End of Kiwanis Park, you will find a rainforest-themed splash pad with water shooting up from the ground and many water rings! Kids will love the periodic “rainstorm” with misting water and thunderstorm sound effects!3
Edison Park Splash Pads
Edison Park features a great splash pad with spray fountains and jets, which are perfect and fun for kids to cool off! Edison Park also offers a playground, basketball court, picnic area, ramada, and more! Park and splash pad hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., from May through October.4
Mansel Carter Oasis Park Splash Pad
Kids will be crazy about this pirate-themed splash pad! The splash pad features a soft rubber surface with fountains that shoot up at different heights, water cannons, and a big dumping bucket. The star feature of this splash pad is definitely the pirate ship that kids can explore and play in. There are plenty of awnings overhanging the splash pad, offering shade for all, and plenty of seating with benches and a grassy area nearby.5
Phoenix Zoo’s Water Play Areas
The Phoenix Zoo features three amazing water play areas for kids to splash and have a blast! From the Enchanted Forest, where kids will splash through the river, to the Leapin’ Lagoon, where they can enjoy the water jets, and the Yakulla Caverns, where they will find multiple fun splash pads.6
Eastmark Great Park Splash Pad
It would be tough not to enjoy one of the best shaded splash pads in Phoenix! Kids can cool off and have a blast while parents enjoy the shade of palm trees and catch up with friends. The concrete ground is filled with several spray fountains that shoot up and down at different heights for kids to play at during the summer months!7
SplashPad at CityScape
CityScape offers a simple but great splash pad and play area for the little ones to cool off after exploring the city and after a long day of shopping with the grown-ups. A great escape from the urban heat!8
Desert Breeze Park Spray Pad
The desert heat can be tough, and if you’re looking for cool, wet fun for your kids, this spray pad is the ultimate option! Water features include a buttercup, flowers, a misty mountain, ants, ground spray, corn poppy, and more! It’s a must-visit when it comes to free spray parks for kids!9
Mountain Vista Park Splash Pad
Mountain Vista Park is definitely one of the best places to cool off with kids! It features a great splash pad with spray jets and a dolphin arch for kids to get wet and have fun! They can also enjoy a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and plenty of space to play.10
Glendale Heroes Regional Park Splash Pad
The Glendale Heroes Regional Park Splash Pad features jets, spray hoops, dumping buckets, and movable sprayers. Parents can sit on a grassy area that is also shaded to watch the kids cool off!11
Pecos Park Splash Pad
Pecos, one of the most popular splash pads in Phoenix, is an amazing park with a splash pad that features water jets and a soft surface. Kids can also enjoy a playground with shade structures, a skate plaza, an amazing pool, a community center, and more!12
Riverview Park Spray Ground
Riverview Park has a fenced splash pad with colorful loops and fountains that shoot water up from the ground. With a concrete surface and a circular shape, this splash pad guarantees hours of summer fun for families in Phoenix!13
Agua Linda Park
Agua Linda has an amazing playground with spray poles for when the heat is too much! Kids can also enjoy a volleyball court and basketball-lighted courts. The heat won’t stop the fun at Agua Linda Park!14
Founders Park Splash Pad
Founders Park features a 4,000-square-foot splash pad across the street from Town Hall, featuring various above-ground water features, including a giant water tower that sprays out the water below, water cannons, water mushrooms, dumping buckets, and rings that will wet kids when they run through them.15
Chaparral Aquatic Center
This fantastic aquatic center has a splash pool with interactive spray and fountain features! If this isn’t enough to beat the heat and cool off with kids, there are lap lanes and a diving board to make it more fun!16
Goodyear Community Park Splash Pad
The Goodyear Community Park Splash Pad is a great destination for kids and parents alike, guaranteeing real summer fun for families in Phoenix. Parents can sit and relax on the shaded tables or green spaces while kids run through the colorful arches that spray down water, along with water cannons and dumping buckets!17
Chuparosa Park Spray Pad
The Chuparosa Park Spray Pad features a candy-cane-shaped shower, four spray rings, and ground spray for kids to cool off and have a great time as they escape from Arizona’s heat! If you were looking for spray parks for kids, these will become your children’s new favorite options!18
Water Tower Plaza Splash Pad
Located in downtown Gilbert, this splash pad features water walls, fountains, and more for kids to run through and get wet! The splash pad will turn off when the wind reaches 8 mph or more and turn back on when the wind dies down. This is an automated feature controlled by a wind sensor at the plaza. Parents can relax on the grassy area with shade or on benches.19
Gateway Park and Splash Pad
The Splash Pad at Gateway Park includes pop-up jet fountains and multicolored lights at night! Kids can also enjoy a playground with plenty of shade, a skate park, a dog park, and more!20
Pioneer Park Splash Pad
Pioneer Park’s splash pad features a 15-foot water wall and water spouts from the ground! This park, a favorite among families in Mesa and one of the best places to cool off with kids, also features a suspension bridge, train, treehouse, and playground!Summer with kids can actually be fun and exciting, even for those who prefer winter and colder temperatures, and yes – even in such a hot city like Phoenix. There are plenty of places to beat the heat, including waterparks, community swimming pools, and these awesome splash pads.
Another great excuse to help your children cool off, besides these awesome splash pads and spray parks for kids, is enrolling them in swimming classes. These lessons will give them long-lasting benefits for their health, such as breath control, improving their motor skills, and, most importantly, learning about water safety.
Are you visiting Tucson anytime soon? Make sure to check out the Best Splash Pads in Tucson!
