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Most suburban facilities are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day; if a water playground has a different opening date, we've noted it below, as well as noting hours when possible. A heads-up: some Chicago spraygrounds charge admission.

 
Spraygrounds in Chicago are usually free of charge. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Spraygrounds Near Chicago: North Side and Downtown

Portage Park Water Playground — Portage Park

Portage Park is home to a huge public pool as well as a smaller indoor pool for those slightly chillier summer days Chicagoans know so well. But the most fun under the sun is at the interactive water play area with slides, sprinklers, and spray. Portage Park Water Playground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is free and has lifeguards because of the 18" pool surrounding the water features.

Adams Park Water Playground — Lincoln Park

The splash pad at Adams Park features sprinklers and sprayers for kids of all ages and heights, including a real gusher of a funnel that gets kids good and soaked. When kids tire of the spray, dry off on the nearby playground (or in the field house), and stick around for concerts and movie nights for families. Adams Park Water Playground is free and is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

River Park Water Playground – Lincoln Square

A squishy, soft-surfaced splash pad with spray towers, sprinklers, and water jets, this water playground is also located right next to a public pool in shady, pretty River Park. The River Park Water Playground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Crown Fountain – Millennium Park

This is more of a landmark than a splash pad, and it's my son's personal favorite. Crown Fountain is two 50-foot glass block towers with water flowing over their tops constantly. On one surface, a face is projected, and every 10 minutes or so, the face purses its lips and sprays one concentrated stream of water. Kids squeal and slide along the surface between the fountains to reach the jets of water before they turn off. Be aware, the bathrooms are most of a block walk away and the ladies' gets crowded in the hotter months. This is great fun that every Chicago kid should experience before they grow up. The fountain's website doen'st give definitive opening and closing dates, but it's usually on once the weather is consistently above 70 for the season. 

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Mary Bartelme Park has a picturesque water playground. Photo courtesy of the Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council 

Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads in Chicago: West and South Side

Mary Bartelme Park — West Loop – FREE

Probably one of the most Instagrammed new features in Chicago, the Fountain Plaza at this compact urban oasis is the place to be on a hot day. Angular archway sculptures spray a fine mist for dashing through at top speed (or lingering under for maximum cooldown). Dry off at the innovative multi-level playground next door. The water is turned on at Mary Bartelme Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and playing in the water feature is free,

Austin Park Water Playground — Austin – FREE

The giant, blue, multilevel water playground here has slides, tunnels, sprinklers, sprayers, gushers... the works. There's not much shade, but there are restrooms, and the area is fenced in with a soft, squishy surface for hours of safe play. The Austin Park Water Playground is free is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's conveniently location near the Austin Green Line and Metra stops.

31st Street Harbor Playground Splash Pad — Oakland – FREE

The colorful lakeshore park houses a sweet, natural-pool-inspired splash pad within sight of its awesome, retro-space-age playground. Grownups can watch from sun-warmed rocks while little kids play in the gentle geysers and fountains. The 31st Street Harbor Playground Splash Pad is free and is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Dunbar Park Splash Pad — Douglas – FREE

A circular spray park located near the shady, recently-renovated playground has gentle in-ground sprinklers, overhead fountains, and sprayers for getting wet. Kids love dashing back and forth between the sprayers and the climbing structures, so bring sturdy water shoes. The Dunbar Park Splash Pad is free is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Fosco Park Water Playground — University Village – FREE

The popular community center here is probably best known for its indoor pool, but the outdoor splash park is a true multi-level water playground, with splashers, soakers, and a slide. This water playground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Take the #60 bus to the southeast side of this free park.

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The Hub Spray Ground at Berens Park photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District.

West Suburban Spraygrounds and Splash Pads Near Chicago

The Hub Spray Ground at Berens Park — Elmhurst

Part of a bustling community park that also features mini-golf and batting cages, the generously sized, fenced playground has two soft-surfaced splash pads and a good shade. When you want to dry off, head to the park next door. Concessions are also available. The Hub Spray Ground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is ample parking near this west suburban splash pad.

Splash Island — Oak Brook

Sunburn-conscious parents will appreciate the shaded water play and seating areas at Splash Island, which has slides, buckets, jets, and sprinklers aplenty, plus a cute aquatic-animal-themed splash pad just for younger kids. Splash Island is open from Memorial Day through late August. The summer schedule is weekdays from 10am - 8pm and weekends from 10am - 3:30pm.

Maryknoll Park Splash Park — Glen Ellyn – FREE

There's a bit of a Wild West theme to the wet-and-wild water play here with a water tower, cactus sprinkler, a saloon sign that doubles as a sprinkler, and a railroad gate. Just outside Maryknoll Park Splash Park is an adventure playground with a zip line and climbing boulders. The splash park is free and open from Memorial Day through September 21, 2025.

Bensenville Water Park Splash Pad — Bensenville

This 2,527-square-foot splash pad was completed in 2013 and is known for being super clean. The Bensenville Water Park Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through late August and is open Tuesday - Sunday from noon - 7pm.

Adventure Island Sprayground at the Oasis — Bloomingdale

Kids can enjoy water guns, slides, pipe falls, spinning tray, and theme elements at Adventure Island. The pool, water slides, and lazy river are also included in the admission price. Adventure Island Sprayground at the Oasis is open from Memorial Day through late August. It is open weekdays from 11:30 am - 7 pm and weekends from 11:30am - 6pm.

95th Street Community Plaza Splash Pad — Naperville – FREE

This recently completed splash pad and adjacent playground are next to the 95th Street Library. The storybook-themed equipment ranges in height and is appropriate for children of various ages, and no more than 50 people are allowed on the spray ground at a time. The water is turned on here from Memorial Day through late August and open from 9am - 8pm. Admission is free.

Harvard Early Learning Playscape at Naper Settlement — Naperville

This historically themed water playground has a water cannon, ground misters, and water trough for a break from the old-timey learning at Naper Settlement. Kids can also play on the Conestoga wagon or learn in the sensory garden nearby. This park is open early in the year (May 15) and stays open through September 30 for any warm last fall days.

Step into the mouth of the giant pink frog at Forest Park Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy of the Park District of Forest Park 

Forest Park Aquatic Center — Forest Park

A huge zero-depth 367,000-gallon pool at this water park holds an interactive water playground, with four water slides and a Candy Land themed sprayground. There's also a nearby lap pool with a diving board, plus a sand play area for kids. Lockers and a concession stand are available, too. The Forest Park Aquatic Center is open from Memorial Day through late August. 

Paradise Bay Water Park — Lombard

For a full day of water play, this water park offers a zero-entry pool with jets, sprayers, and even a whirlpool, plus multiple waterslides for every level of bravery, and a separate water playground for little ones. Lockers, changing rooms, and a snack bar are all on-site. Paradise Bay Water Park is open from Memorial Day through Memorial Day. During the regular season, the park is open Monday - Thursday from 12:30 - 5:30pm, 6:30 - 8:30pm and Friday - Sunday from 12:30 - 6:30pm.

Sea Lion Aquatic Park — Lisle

This destination waterpark has separate water play zones for little ones and bigger kids, plus four giant water slides, a vortex pool, a large ADA-accessible pool, and a lily pad feature. Changing rooms, lockers, and a full-service snack bar make it easy to stay the day. The aquatic park is open from June 1- September 2.

Stand beneath the big red bucket and get drenched! Photo courtesy of the Skokie Park District

North Suburban Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads Near Chicago

Skokie Water Playground — Skokie

With a huge zero-entry pool, three big water slides, and a multi-level water playground with sprayers, water guns, tubs, slides, and a giant splash bucket, plus an accessible "sprayground" with a rock-like waterfall and sprinklers galore, there's no excuse not to get soaked here. You'll also find a concession stand, and changing rooms with showers, and lockers, but not a lot of shade. Hours are weekdays from 12:30 - 7 pm and weekends from 11 am - 6 pm.

Fountain Square Park — Elk Grove Village – FREE

This simple sprayground features ground jets that shoot at varying intervals to surprise kids in the park. The park also includes a playground and nature trail so kids can beat the heat and enjoy a few forms of entertainment. Fountain Square Park is open June 1 through Labor Day, weekdays from 12:30pm - 7pm and weekends from 10:30pm - 7pm.

Mystic Waters – Des Plaines

This water park in the northern suburbs has slides, a lazy river, and two splash pads: Dolphin Bay: a zero-depth leisure pool where you can enjoy fountains, jet sprays, and a child-size dolphin slide, and Beluga Beach, a zone with no standing water and a non-slip surface featuring spray jets that makes a good introduction for non-swimming toddlers. This is a more expensive option, but can be a full day of fun for families with kids of multiple ages. You can bring in a picnic lunch for a $6 fee.

Prospect Park Splash Pad – Park Ridge

This pirate-themed spray ground has ship and arches that spray water throughout the area. There's a small slide for toddlers and a concession area that the whole family can enjoy as well as family friendly restrooms on-site. It's open at 10 a.m. daily and late on Tuesday evenings. Private rentals are available.

The Best South Suburban Splash Pad Near Chicago

Oak Lawn Memorial Park — Oak Lawn – FREE

This rocket-themed water play area features a variety of spray toys along with a playground. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing.

Walker Country Estates Park -- New Lenox

This far southwest suburban park has a splash pad with an adjacent playground and fishing station. The concession stand offers food and beverages, and bathrooms are available in the nearby administration building. Little splash pad lovers can also rent out the pad for parties!

Yunker Farm Park – Mokena

This farm-themed splash pad has various animal sculptures that spit water at kids as they run by. Also with traditional splash pad features, like arches and water shooting up from the ground, it allows families to bring in their own food in non-glass containers or buy from the concession stand. Admission is cheap at $2 for residents and $4 for non-residents. The splash pad is open late on Wednesdays.

White Water Canyon Water Park – Tinley Park

The sprayground at this water park in southwest suburban Tinley Park has a couple of small slides and a giant bucket that dumps water on kids' heads in the zero depth area of the pool. Families can also enjoy water slides, a lazy river, and two diving boards for $20 a day or less, depending on age and residency. Go after 5 p.m. for $5 admission. The park is also home to a cafe where you can get snacks or even a full pizza. 

This article was updated in May 2025