Best Sprinkler Parks, Spraygrounds, and Splash Pads near DC for Kids

Enjoy the scenery on the Georgetown Waterfront while splashing in the fountain. Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy of  georgetowndc.com

Gone are the days of needing to use a garden hose as a sprinkler: the DC area is brimming with splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds to help kids beat the heat on a hot summer day. These splash pads and sprinkler sparks are full of fun features like fountains, dumping buckets, water cannons, spraying animals, and even mini water slides. And the best part is, most of them are absolutely FREE!

Here are 20 great splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids for some wet and wild fun. And if you have older children who need a few more thrills, check out our list of the best outdoor water parks and amazing indoor water parks near DC.

16 Family-Friendly Breweries in Atlanta

Kids will stay entertained, and parents can relax with a pint at Scofflaw Brewing. Photo by author

Many Atlanta breweries are family-friendly, so you can kick back with a beer while kids play games and enjoy outdoor spaces. Plus, visiting a brewery in Atlanta is a great way to support local family businesses!

We’ve rounded up the best family-friendly breweries in Atlanta that keep kiddos entertained so you can enjoy a pint. Many Atlanta breweries offer food and snacks, or at least allow you to bring in your own munchies (great for picky eaters). In some cases, even four-legged fur babies are welcome at these Atlanta breweries!

Visit LuminoCity Dino Safari in Orlando for a Dinosaur-Sized Summer

Go back to another time and make friends with dinosaurs! Check out LuminoCity Dino Safari in Orlando, now until June 16, 2024. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

Kids will love getting close to dinosaurs at LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival in Orlando! Taking place at The Florida Mall, this awesome attraction combines the thrill of prehistoric giants with the magic of detailed light sculptures. LuminoCity Dino Safari debuts in Orlando with a roar this summer, as families marvel at the realistic dinosaurs and ancient mammals, as well as an interactive recreation zone, fossil hunt, and more. Get all the details below to plan a visit before the attraction closes on June 16, 2024!

Free NYC Summer Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families

Start the summer with musical entertainment on the waterfront! Bring a blanket and a picnic. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

Free concerts and music festivals are a summer staple in NYC, and there are always loads of great performances to enjoy. We've rounded up all the best free concerts in New York City this June, July, and August, so this list is guaranteed to keep the kids grooving all summer long.

There are summer concerts in the parks, playgrounds, piers, and plazas from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens, so scroll, click, and set reminders so you don't miss your favorites. Beloved annual summer concert series, like Summer on the Hudson Play Dates, Lincoln Center's Musical Storytimes, Summerstage, and BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn are all on the schedule, and we have a little something for the whole gamut of musical tastes, from jazz to rock, opera, folk, hip-hop, and classical.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Los Angeles

One of the coolest spots in town is by the beach, a beach playground, and a pool. Photo courtesy of the Annenberg Community Beach House, Facebook

Free and fabulous splash pads in Los Angeles can be found at many parks and playgrounds across the city— and some of them are open year-round. Entire playgrounds (plus a few swimming pools and wading pools) are dedicated to ways to keep it cool, with plenty of fountains, geysers, pumps, and water sprayers. Kids adore these spraygrounds and splash pads, and parents love that they're a great way to beat the heat without a drive to a favorite beach (not to mention, the car won't get all sandy!).

If a pool or a water park sounds like too much work (or too expensive), cool those kids down at one of these (mostly) free splash pads. And check out all our wet and wild favorites in our Guide to the Best Pools and Splash Pads in Los Angeles

Best Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Tibbets Brook Park's swimming complex includes a splash pad complete with cool jets and sprinklers.

While Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast wonderful local pools and swimming lakes, local splash pads are also an easy way for kids to cool off in the summer. The setting is especially fun for younger kids, who can run through the sprinklers and water jets, no swim vest required.

We’ve rounded up the best splash pads and sprinkler parks to check out in the region, from Yonkers to Wappingers Falls, including some that offer FREE entry.

Find more outdoor adventures in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds, and bookmark our Ultimate Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tips all season long. 

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds on Long Island

Cantiague Park's splash pad offers water play for all ages.

Hitting up a sprinkler park or splash pad on Long Island takes a lot less preparation than a trip to the beach: Just add sunscreen and let the adventures begin. They hit the spot, too, since there's nothing like jumping through a sprinkler to cool off. 

For other seasonal, kid-friendly activities, check out our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes our recommendations for the best beach playgrounds on Long Island.

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