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Note: Remember to check the park or local site's Facebook page, or even call ahead before hopping in the car with kids. Many water playgrounds will close unexpectedly for repairs or even events. Sometimes the closure is an afternoon, a day, or the rest of summer.

Why Splash Pads Are Worth a Spot on Your Summer Bucket List

Splash pads are a perfect low-key summertime activity for kids. Since they are free or low-cost, you can plan a shorter trip or bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it in the park. And, if the weather's a little iffy, you can still have a good time with an overcast sky or a little drizzle.

Splash pads will entertain kids of diverse ages, from toddlers to grade school-aged children. Note that the age range for nearly all these parks is about ages 3-8, unless otherwise noted. 

Make the Most of Your Splash Pad Outing

• Don’t forget dry towels, sunscreen, and dry clothing. Remember to bring a plastic or mesh bag for wet bathing suits and towels. Do yourself a favor and place important items like cell phones in Ziploc baggies.
• Consider having the kids wear non-slip waterproof shoes like pool shoes, since the flooring can be rough on the skin, and shoes provide more secure footing than flip-flops. 
• Check ahead to see if there are changing facilities or restrooms available.
• Some water playgrounds advise swim diapers for the little ones.
• Figure out what the parking situation is ahead of time if you are traveling by car. Some playgrounds do not offer a parking lot.
• Hours: The time the water gets turned on and off can vary depending on the crowd, weather, and particular park, but hours usually run from 10am to dusk at most spots, with the water going on as long as it's hot out, even before Memorial Day in some cases. Daily hours typically start when school lets out; otherwise, it's weekends only.

Top Splash Pads in Northern NJ

1. Newport Green – Jersey City

This park, spanning 4 acres on the waterfront in the Newport section of Jersey City, is a fantastic place to bring the kids on a sunny day.

Special features: It has everything (and more) that you could ask for in a playground. The park's water features include spraying misters, rings to run through, dumping buckets, and a little beach complete with umbrellas and sand. There's even a carousel for when the kids tire of the water features. Plus, you'll have views of NYC from the park.

Know before you go: Parking can be a problem, so plan ahead. (Tip: There is a nearby parking garage if you can't find other parking.) The park is also about a 15-minute walk from the Newport PATH station. FREE

2. Hamilton Park Splash Pad – Jersey City

It may not be the biggest water playground, but this Hamilton Park spot nestled in the heart of downtown Jersey City sure is great for little ones!

Special features: The splash pad is fenced in and features in-ground sprinklers and buckets of water dropped from overhead. Hamilton Park offers a large playground, tennis courts, dog runs, a basketball court, and lots of grass. Bonus: The Hamilton Park area of Jersey City has tons of great food options. FREE

Know before you go: This park open early and closes late (7:00 AM–10:00 PM, weather permitting). There are several great places to eat nearby.

3. James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park – North Bergen

This Hudson County park is a great summer destination for kids and parents alike. The children's area includes a free splash pad with plenty of water features to keep the kids cool.

Special features: The splash pad features tall sprinklers that rain down water from above. The pad is adjacent to a large, castle-themed playground. Families can easily spend the day at this 167-acre park, which includes trails, beautiful Woodcliff Lake, and views of the Manhattan skyline. 

Age range: 3-10

Know before you go: Find parking on the road in the park or in the lot by and then walk to the playground. NJ Transit has bus stops nearby on 79th St at Hudson Ave. Splash pad is FREE.

4. Snyder Avenue Park – Berkeley Heights

This 13-acre park includes a modest spray park next to its playground, as well as a great walking trail and more.

Special features: The cute, football-themed splash pad, which includes a huge goal post that shoots out water, was built with funds from a generous donation made by the New York Jets. The fenced-in playground features play equipment for children of various ages, as well as rock walls and swings.

Know before you go: It's modest and lacking in shade, but the little ones and locals consider it a win! FREE

5. Madison Street Park – Hoboken

This park offers a large water play area with fun, modern playground equipment nearby.

Special features: The water features include dumping buckets, in-ground sprays, and more, right in the center of the playground. All the equipment is painted in bright primary colors.

Know before you go: Public bathrooms are available. Midtown parking garage is probably your nearest option for parking if you can't find street parking nearby. FREE

6. Mattano Park – Elizabeth

This is a smaller splash pad, but younger kids will enjoy it.

Special features: The soccer field-inspired pad includes a large spraying soccer ball with crossbar-goal water jets at both ends. A stone's throw away is an inclusive playground, with an accessible merry-go-round, roller table, swing seats, and other play equipment. FREE

Know before you go: Since this is a smaller pad, plan to play on the dry playground first to extend your outing.

7. Ponderosa Park – Scotch Plains

This pretty park boasts a modest set of sprinklers in the playground that typically turn on from 9am-9pm in the summer. 

Special features: Find motion-activated water shooters and sprinklers that are good for a quick cool-off. There are two fantastic playgrounds: one for ages 2-5 and another for 5 and up. Both have slides and climbing walls; there are also swings and a netted climbing structure. 

Know before you go: Parents set up shop on the grass while kids cool down in the water. Some bathrooms and benches dot the perimeter, and an ice cream truck is sometimes stationed here on weekends. There's not a ton of shade on the playground, but families can duck under the park's trees to escape the summer heat. It's a popular spot for birthday parties, too. You'll find restrooms nearby. FREE

8. Walter Lubbe Jr. Playground – Bergenfield

Walter Lubbe Jr. Playground is wildly popular in the heat of the summer. The sprinkler park has about 8-10 water sprayers.

Special features: Kids can run through rings or past water shooters and get sprayed. The playground is partly fenced in and features swings, a rock wall, monkey bars, and bouncers. FREE

Know before you go: There is also a covered picnic area for those wishing to brown-bag it. 

9. Weasel Brook Park – Clifton

Cool off at this lovely neighborhood park punctuated by its meandering namesake brook. A large, circular splash pad is the main attraction.

Special features: The spray pad has an arch of rainbow-colored sprinklers surrounded by four tall sprayers. The park is also home to regulation horseshoe pits, a rarity in the area, and is often the site of professional horseshoe tournaments and championships. There are also basketball courts and softball fields, plus a nicely shaded playground with plenty of benches. FREE

10. William T. Birch Park – Fort Lee

Imagine what a marble run would look like in life-size dimensions; now, replace the marbles with free-flowing water, and you’re looking at Fort Lee’s splash pad!

Special features: With Pac-Man-style fish sprayers, a huge orange alien spewing water from above, and loads of colorful water-collecting discs, the pad has something for kids of every age and benches dotting the perimeter for parents. FREE

Ages: 12 & under

Know before you go: This pad is bound to keep little ones busy for a while. Bathrooms are nearby.

11. Warinanco Park – Roselle

Union County's sprawling Warinanco Park features a children's area with a playground and splash pad.

Special features: Located near the boathouse, the splash pad features a giant tree fountain in the middle and more than 100 spray jets surrounding it. Other family activities at the park include boating, skating, hiking, biking, and picnicking. FREE

Know before you go: There are a couple of playgrounds in the park, but the sprayground is on the east side. The park has a snack bar near the splash pad. The nearest parking lot is probably the boathouse lot.

12. Watsessing Park Spray Park – East Orange

The 3,000-square-foot addition to the 69-acre park provides deep-sea-themed water adventures to keep your kids cool when the temperatures soar.

Special features: There are several motion-activated sprinklers and spouts to run through. There's a little slide and water dumps, too. FREE

Ages: 10 & under

Know before you go:  This splash pad is located on Glenwood Avenue near Dodd Street in East Orange. The splash area has bench seating and Adirondack chairs. The dry playground is nearby. You'll find bathrooms in the fieldhouse.

13. Carver Park – Hackensack

If your kiddos can hardly wait to get wet this summer, this park is the place to be.

Special features: This park has in-ground geysers and spraying rainbow rings to run through, as well as drenchers shaped like Pez dispensers that older kids can have a blast pointing at friends or willing parents. FREE

Ages: 11 & under

Know before you go: There isn't a ton of seating, so bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

14. Pirate’s Cove at Mount Playmore – Budd Lake

This splash pad packs a whole lot of fun for children of every age. It features more than 20 interactive water features that are motion-activated to help conserve water.

Special features: Three different play areas offer low- to high-intensity drench opportunities appropriate for toddlers, big kids, and tweens; in the middle of it all, a huge splash bucket dumps water every few minutes. An on-site attendant monitors the water area at all times. FREE

15. Jewell Street Playground – Garfield

This sprinkler park has water-dumping buckets, an arc of sprinklers, a face that spews water, and more.

Special features: A nearby playground adds to the fun with slides, swings, and other activities.

Know before you go: Intended for residents and members only. Visitors need to buy a pass to enter, but kids ages 5 and under are free with proof of age.

16. Randolph Park Beach – Randolph

Locals head to this lakeside beach for swimming, paddleboats, picnicking, and a water feature for the kids.

Special features: You'll also find a refreshment stand, changing facilities, swimming lessons, and more. The park offers resident and non-resident monthly and daily passes, but weekend entry is limited to members and residents.

Know before you go: Weekday fees are $5 per resident or $10 for non-residents.

17. Berry Lane Park – Jersey City

This 17.5-acre park opened in 2016 on a former industrial site in the city’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. The recreation area features several basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and a sprawling playground with rope climbers, swings, and slides under big blue umbrellas, providing shade on hot sunny days. 

Special features: The flat-surfaced splash pad has sprinklers that shoot water up from the concrete. Kids will love that they're shaped like a crocodile, a mushroom, and a turtle. Bright purple picnic tables and benches border the water area so parents can keep an eye on their kids without getting wet. FREE

Know before you go: The park is located just steps from the Garfield Light Rail station. 

18. Van Saun Park – Paramus

The impressive Van Saun Park has a whimsical pond-themed, ADA-accessible water sprinkler in its Harmony Playground.

Special features: Get wet with gigantic lily pads, water creatures, and cattail misters. The mist is gentle. Water pools in sections, and kids delight in stomping through it. There's plenty more to do at the park, including several adjacent playgrounds with all manner of slides, swings, climbing, and hanging equipment. The 150-acre park also boasts walking trails, grills, picnic tables, a paved path great for kid bikers, beautiful gardens, a train ride, pony rides, a carousel, and the popular Bergen County Zoo.

Know before you go: There isn't much shade in the play areas here, so come early or late. The size is modest, so it can get crowded by the afternoon, but the kids don't seem to mind. FREE

19. John Russell Wheeler Park – Linden

This state-of-the-art spray park replaced Wheeler Park’s pool but keeps the splashiness of the scene alive. 

Special features: In addition to bringing in 33 super-soaking water attractions—including water cannons, slides, dump buckets, a dragon, a spray bus, a pirate ship, a surf shack, and a ton of water tunnels, jets, and geysers—the park also features restrooms and convenient changing rooms to make trips home a little less sloppy and sticky. 

Ages: 12 & under

Know before you go: It gets super crowded, so arrive early. Admission is $2-$6, depending on age and if you live in Union County.  Aquatic wheelchairs are now available at the facility. Read our full review of Wheeler Spray Park here. 

20. Pine Street Park – Roselle

This hidden gem, formerly known as Bud Simmons Park, has a cute and colorful fenced-in splash pad.

Special features: Little explorers will love running through this forest-themed water pad, with tall, flower-shaped sprayers, giant bee and frog climbers, in-ground ladybug sprayers, and a tall tree in the middle where kids can take cover from the sun and water. In addition to the water fun, there are two playgrounds, a basketball court, a picnic area, and a gazebo. FREE

Know before you go: Street parking is available on the edges of the park, such as on Pine Street.

Central NJ Splash Pads

21. Cross Farm Park – Holmdel

The playground and splash pad at Cross Farm Park has a small, baseball-themed splash pad.

Special features: The water area has one main feature: a water-spewing baseball diamond sporting five in-ground water sprays. Hit the playground adjacent to the spray area for even more outdoor fun. FREE

Know before you go: The parking lot is steps from the playground. There's a covered pavilion with picnic tables.

22. Dorbrook Recreation Area Sprayground – Colts Neck

This large, popular sprayground has a soft surface and a great water filtration system to keep things clean. There are also water troughs for the kids to play with and cool "raining leaves" offering a cascading mist of water. 

Special features: There are tons of water features, from sprayers and sprinklers to water tables and more; it feels more like a mini water park. The size of this sprayground is what makes it so much fun for the kids. Pack beach toys for the sand area! There are some picnic tables nearby, so you can bring lunch.

Ages: 11 & under

Know before you go: You can’t take food or toys into the splash pad area itself. Reservations are required, but admission is FREE The splash pad is open every day from mid-May through early September, depending on the weather. 

23. Michael Lepp Park – Somerville

The spray park at Michael Lepp Park is a great place to bring young children on a hot summer day. This free spray park offers a variety of water features.

Special features: You'll find dueling canons and buckets. It's adjacent to basketball courts and a regular playground, so kids have plenty of options to keep them entertained (and parents can easily keep their eye on several kids at once). There are some nice shady spots where parents can relax and enjoy the action, so be sure to bring towels and chairs.

Know before you go: The water playground is located near a street, so be prepared to keep an eye on very young children. FREE

24. Manalapan Recreation – Manalapan

Manalapan Township recently added a splash pad to its recreation complex. This sports-themed splash pad is great for the little ones.

Special features: The pad has gentle misters, small water canons, and mild sprayers. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables and restrooms nearby, and the large recreation complex features trails, playgrounds, and basketball courts.

Know before you go: The sprinklers here work off a motion sensor, so if your kids are the first ones to hit the splash zone, have them wave their hands in front of the sensor to get the water flowing. FREE

25. Veterans Park Sprayground and Playground – Monroe

The generously sized sprayground at this park is fenced in, and there are many different water features.

Special features: The spray park has water cannons, buckets that dump from above, rings to run through, and an oversized mushroom shower. The large, clean park offers playground equipment for children of various ages and a rock wall to keep your kids busy.

Know before you go: The park does not have a ton of shade. Parents often set up towels along the inside of the splash pad while the kids cool off. Pack a picnic and use one of the many picnic tables. FREE

26. Veterans Memorial Park – Aberdeen

This pirate-themed spray park is a favorite of every seashore-loving swashbuckler on the coast and is open daily all summer long. There are ample opportunities for all scallywags–from little ones to tweens–to log some time getting soaked. 

Special features: The pirate ship is stacked with water-spitting cannons, and there’s even a shark that surfaces from the sea to spray all the park dwellers. FREE

Ages: 11 & under

27. Colonial Park – Somerset

Colonial Park’s spray park has 21 fun water features. 

Special features: You'll find sprayers, water dumps, and sprinklers. It also features parking for patrons and a gazebo for guests to hide out under when the sun gets too strong. Mini-golf, paddle boats, and a great playground are located nearby. FREE

Know before you go: The water does not go on before noon, except to accommodate camp reservations.

28. Michael J. Tighe Park – Freehold

There’s a spray park and splash pad at this vibrant playground, so be prepared to get wet!

Special features: Little ones will love the splash pad area, which has lower-to-the-ground sprinklers, dumping buckets, and in-ground sprays. The adjacent sprayground provides even more opportunities for fun in the water, with tall sprayers and sprinkler rings to run through. After splashing around, dry off at the playground and picnic areas.

Ages: All

Know before you go: There is a $5 fee for children 17 and under to enter the park.

RELATED: Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families: Sandy Hook to Cape May

Cool off at Asbury Splash Park with a soaking from the giant watering can. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Jersey Shore Water Playgrounds

29. Pine Lake Park & Playground – Manchester Township

This splash pad is adjacent to a playground and picnic area, as well as near the lake. Enjoy the playground after splashing around in the sprinklers. 

Special features: Crawl through rings of sprayers and run past the poles that spray water from above,

Know before you go: This splash pad opens for weekends from Memorial Day weekend until the end of June, and it operates daily thereafter. A beach badge and admission are required. Push the button on the box to turn on the water.

30. Berkeley Island County Park – Bayville

This family-friendly spot has bathrooms, gazebos, a picnic pavilion, and a pirate-themed splash park, making this Barnegat Bay mainstay a perfect place for endless play during the summer season.

Special features: This spot has water cannons, tall sprayers, rings to duck under, and more. FREE

Know before you go:  The park is on a peninsula, so you won't have to go far to catch a glimpse of the ocean.

31. Asbury Splash Park – Asbury Park

Plan a day of family fun at the Asbury Park Boardwalk, and while you're there, take the kids to cool off at the splash pad, which includes a number of unique spray features.  You can hit the beach, play 18 holes of mini-golf (extra fee), grab some food truck eats, or play pinball at The Silverball Museum Arcade. Check its Facebook page for updates.

Special features: Get wet with water coming from all directions. There's even a giant tipping teacup, an oversized garden hose nozzle, and seating for parents.

Ages: 12 & under

Know before you go:  It's not free ($15 for kids and $7 for adults), but this splash pad is more of a day trip destination. 

32. Sea Spray Park – Seaside Park

Unveiled in 2023, Sea Spray Park is located steps from the sand on the Seaside boardwalk.

Special features:  Sea Spray Park caters to the kids with slides, sprayers, and dumping water buckets. You won't stay dry here!

Ages: 10 & under

Know before you go: 2-hour tickets are $10/person on weekdays and $15/person on weekends. Buy tickets and sign waivers in advance. Concessions are sold, and birthday party packages are available.

South Jersey Splash Pads

33. Johnson's Corner Farm Discovery Barnyard – Medford

You can easily spend an entire day at this family farm, so make sure you pack swimsuits and towels with you before heading out. Located outside of the Discovery Barnyard, the splash pad is a great place for kids to cool off after strawberry picking, animal feeding, and hay riding around the farm. The Discovery Barnyard also includes go-karts, climbers, slides, a space net, a tractor tire sand castle, GoKarts, and more. 

Know before you go: Daily passes are $12 for kids 1-12; kids 13+ and adults are $6 (but prices are slashed after 4pm). 

34. Bridgeton City Park Splash Park – Bridgeton

The splash park in Bridgeton City Park offers more than 2,000 square feet of cool summer fun, all of which is fenced in. It takes inspiration from its neighbor, the Cohanzick Zoo, with 28 cool zoo fixtures,

Special features:  Get wet from fountains, buckets, water wheels, canons, and various animal-themed amusements. In addition to the water deck, the site features outdoor showers, restrooms, a concession stand, benches, and two pavilions.

Know before you go: The splash park is open every day in the summer, with three sessions per day. There is a small fee ($4) to enter the splash pad (blocked out in 2-hour-long sessions to accommodate all users), and you can also reserve it for birthday parties.

35. Fasola Park – Deptford

Fasola Park’s water feature is small, but it still does the job. Kids love running through the splash pad's water jets.

Special feature: Water jets are controlled by pushing a green button located in the middle of the splash pad. It's right next to the playground, allowing parents to easily keep an eye on more than one child. FREE

This article was first published in 2012 and is updated annually.