Any North Texan parent knows that the summer months are best spent near or in water. If you can't make it to one of the swimming lakes nearby, a great way to cool off is to hit one of the local water playgrounds and splash pads in Dallas, Fort Worth, or the rest of the metroplex. Some are simple with a few buckets and spigots, and others are a whole experience.

That's why we've rounded up the best splash pads in Dallas-Fort Worth so you'll have a list of spots to check out when your kids are clamoring for a little water play. After all, there's nothing like free summer activities to keep the kids busy and happy!

Swimming lakes offers a refreshing and fun way to beat the heat during an Atlanta summer. When it gets too hot for the playground and you want a break from pool chlorine, head to one of these lakes where the family can reconnect with nature. These Atlanta swimming lakes with great beaches make great summer day trips for Atlanta families. We've narrowed it down to our favorites, all about two hours or less from Atlanta. And in case you're wondering, these spots have restrooms and many offer boat rentals!

To stay cool this summer when temperatures soar, check out these Cool Ways to Beat the Heat in Atlanta, Best Outdoor Water Parks, and Spraygrounds and Splash Pads in Atlanta for Kids. Be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay informed about more exciting things to do this summer!

Orlando splash pads help kids cool down while burning off some energy. We've listed our favorite splash parks in Orlando, and several are adjacent to some of the best playgrounds in the area. These Orlando splash pads make for a cheap— or even FREE— day of entertainment, especially for little ones. So pack your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, and get ready for a splash-filled adventure!

For more ways to cool off this summer, consider visiting Orlando Pools with Day Passes and Best Florida Beaches. Many of Orlando's theme parks and other attractions (such as Gatorland and Central Florida Zoo) also feature fun splash pads, so be prepared with a swimsuit for little ones when you visit!

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 the Catskills, including some that offer FREE entry. We have even included some that are inside theme parks, including the Legoland New York Water Playground, that are worth the day trip.

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. 

Hitting up a sprinkler park or splash pad on Long Island is a great way for kids to cool off on a hot day. Many splash pads feature whimsical themes, fun spray structures, mini pools, and even dumping buckets!

Some sprinkler parks are free to the public, some charge an admission fee, while others are for residents only. We've broken down our list of splash pads below into three categories: free, fee, and resident-only. 

Read on for our list of Long Island's best sprinkler parks and splash pads to explore this season. For more kid-friendly activities, check out our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes our top picks for the Best Beach Playgrounds on Long Island. 

New Jersey's many excellent parks with splash pads and spray parks are surefire crowd-pleasers on hot and steamy summer days—after all, who doesn't love running through a sprinkler when the mercury rises?

The splash pads we profile below are not water parks, so you won't find a ton of bells and whistles—though some do offer interactive features like dumping buckets or whimsical designs like water spouts in the shape of flowers (Dorbrook); a pirate ship (Veterans Memorial Park); or basketball sprayers (Manalapan). But the best part? Most of these water play spots are FREE and located in local parks and playgrounds.

Find more ways to cool off in the Garden State in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes our favorite water parks, beaches, and more.

When we were growing up, New York City playgrounds had sprinklers. But now, splash pads in NYC have transformed into spraygrounds—entire playgrounds dedicated to water play with fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love these splash parks in NYC, and parents prefer these newfangled sprinkler parks because they're pretty and cool and a great way to beat the heat.

Splash pad season in NYC parks usually kicks into gear when temperatures hit 80 degrees, and there are hundreds of splash parks and splash pads in NYC parks. Though we've highlighted some favorites by borough—calling out the best splash pads in Brooklyn, top sprinkler parks in Queens, and our favorite spraygrounds in the Bronx—the ones on this list are even cooler (literally and figuratively).

Read on for the 24 best splash pads in New York City. For more ideas to stay cool and keep busy, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Guide and our Playgrounds and Parks Guide.

Cool off at these splash pads and sprinkler parks around Connecticut in 2025!