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Best Splash Pads in Manhattan for Toddlers and Preschoolers

1. Heckscher Playground – Central Park at West 65th Street

This iconic Central Park playground has many ways to get wet and cool down, but the best bet for little kids is the separate splash pad next to the iconic sandbox. Water trickles out of gentle spouts at a level perfect for preschoolers, and there are plenty of puddles for splashing.

2. Ancient Playground – Central Park at East 86th Street

Ancient Playground, next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers mini-waterfalls and shooting water jets. Younger kids love watching (and getting wet from) the water squirting from the jets set into the walls.

3. Chelsea Waterside Park – Chelsea

This is one of the most popular cool-down spots in the city, so be advised it can be a bit busy. However, it's worth a visit thanks to its separate toddler splash pad. Gentle geysers solicit giggles here, plus there's plenty of sand and one colorful sea creature to explore. Find more great Hudson River Park playgrounds to visit here.

4. Toll Family Playground – Central Park at West 84th Street

Located smack dab in the center of Central Park's Toll Family Playground sits a perfect circle of cool water goodness for the little ones to run through and have a blast—without getting blasted.

5. The Bosque Fountain – The Battery

With 35 jets of varying heights, the Bosque Fountain is a great place to take in the scenic views of The Battery while also letting the little ones cool down. At night, the kids love how the water jets are lit up.

6. Hudson River Park Pier 25 Playground – Tribeca

Pier 25 Playground offers a plethora of ways to get wet. Yes, there is a “splash zone” for older kids, where they can get super-soaked, but, there are also an array of gentle sprinklers for the little ones.

7. Pearl Street Playground – South Street Seaport

Keeping with its namesake, Pearl Street Playground offers a giant “pearl” that spurts out water for anyone looking to beat the heat downtown. There are also fun little playhouses and sand features for small kids.

8. Imagination Playground – South Street Seaport

The Imagination Playground is a nice switch from sprinklers with its lovely, shallow wading pool and gentle fountains. It’s great for little ones who can manipulate the water thanks to the blue, foam, Imagination Playground blocks.

9. Teardrop Park – Battery Park City

Teardrop Park has an array of sprinklers for the little ones to cool down. Bring a bucket and toys as there are many surprise spouts at toddler height for kids to discover and engage with.

Best Queens Sprinkler Parks for Toddlers and Preschoolers

10. Gantry Plaza State Park – Long Island City

The action-packed Long Island City waterfront is where it is at for many reasons. On a hot day, head toward the famous Pepsi sign to find an all-ages play area. The sectioned-off splash pad has water spouts of varying sizes to please little puddle players.

11. Ravenswood Playground – Astoria

Ravenswood Playground's renovation included the addition of a water feature with a water-spouting dragon. When the kids are waterlogged, this playground has separate play areas for big and little kids.

12. Playground Thirty-Five – Astoria

One of the hidden playground gems of Astoria, Playground Thirty-Five offers a simple yet stylistic splash pad. It is gentle enough for toddlers, and parents welcome the two separate play areas for kids of different ages.

13. Beach 30 Street Playground – Far Rockaway

One of our favorite water playgrounds in Queens, little ones get a kick out of the play boat jungle gym and car wash sprinklers.

14. Travers Park Playground – Jackson Heights

The leaf-themed spray showers at Travers Park gently rain down on kids of all ages at this Queens splash pad staple, and there is even a separate gated splash area for toddlers.

Best Brooklyn Splash Pads for Little Kids

15. Domino Park – Williamsburg

This hip neighborhood park offers a great escape from the heat. The relaxing Crystal Fountains are gentle enough for toddlers, and light up to brighten any visitor's experience. The waterfront views are a definite bonus.

16. Harmony Playground – Prospect Park

Harmony Playground's music-themed splash pad has plenty of gushing geysers and shooting showers for the older kids, but little ones delight in the gentler misters for the little kids.

17. La Guardia Playground – Williamsburg

This newly renovated playground has a lovely splash pad that's surrounded by two separate play areas for big and little kids. There is tot-sized seating and plenty of shade making this one cool hangout in the sweltering heat of summer.

18. Pier 2 Water Play Area – Brooklyn Bridge Park

While the Pier 6 Playgrounds get all the accolades in Brooklyn Bridge Park, we recommend heading to this location with little ones. Several sprays, sprinklers, and spouts await and you can romp in the surrounding Pier 2 Uplands while you air dry.

Great Spraygrounds and Sprinkler Parks in the Bronx and Staten Island

19. Northwest Playground – North Riverdale, the Bronx

This nature-themed playground is one of our favorite places to play in Van Cortlandt Park. Recently renovated, and designed for kids ages 2-5, it's got a lovely, gentle splash pad, and plenty of unique play structures.

20. Pelican Bay Playground – Orchard Beach

With stunning waterfront views of the Bronx Riveria, Pelican Bay Playground is a gem in Pelham Bay Park. The gentle spray shower here is a good excuse to skip the beach, or prod your kid to leave the sand behind (and rinse off!) and head home.

21. Bloomingdale Playground – South Shore, Staten Island

Nestled in the sprawling 138-acre park of the same name, Bloomingdale Playground has a gentle, misting sprinkler feature, plus a separate jungle gym for big and little kids.

22. John E. White Park Playground – Shore Acres, Staten Island

Fresh of a $1 million-plus renovation, this Staten Island playground is an enchanting destination for toddlers and includes an adorable, whimsical playhouse. The whole backdrop caters to kids ages 2-5, and the gentle spray showers are no exception.