Why Splash Pads Are a Great Summer Outing for Kids

Any DC metro area resident can tell you how hot and sticky it gets in the summer! Splash pads are a great way to cool off for kids who can't swim, don't have access to a pool, or simply want to switch things up. And there are lots of DC parks with splash pads, so they can be a fun way to beat the heat between romps on the playground or other park activities.

Below we share all the details about some great splash pads across the DC area, along with the best ages for them, fun extras they offer, and other need-to-know info. Unless noted, all of these sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and splash pads are FREE.

Make the Most of Your Splash Pad Outing

Most DC splash parks are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but some operate only on weekends for part of that time frame. So, always call or check the venues' websites before you go for operating information. Be sure to pack sunscreen, snacks, a towel, and a change of clothes. It's also a good idea to have kids wear waterproof, non-slip shoes. 

RELATED: Best Free Public Swimming Pools in DC for Families

The playful water jets at Yards Park are ideal for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Capitol Riverfront BID

Top Free DC Splash Pads

1. Dancing Fountains and Canal Basin & Waterwall — Yards Park

Whether families are looking to just get their feet wet or to be completely drenched, this spot has something for everyone. The Dancing Fountains have playful water jets and water scrims, while the multilevel Canal Basin & Waterwall has water flowing from the upper level to the lower, creating a waterfall effect into a splash pool. 

Special Extras: At night, the fountain area is illuminated with color-changing lights, making it a great place to cool off during the free Capitol Riverfront Summer Concert Series on certain Friday nights.  

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: The Canal Basin & Waterwall's splash pool is less than a foot deep and safe for the youngest of splashers. 

2. Georgetown Waterfront Park Fountain — Georgetown

The focal point of Georgetown Waterfront Park is the fountain featuring large arcing water spray that reaches from the Wisconsin Avenue end to the Potomac riverfront. Kids can splash around in the iconic fountain while parents enjoy the waterfront scenery.

Special Extras: The fountain is lit in the evenings, making it one of the best free summer activities DC has for warm nights. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: The Georgetown Waterfront also has a fun labyrinth, a gorgeous rain garden, and some great, kid-friendly restaurants such as Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers. See our list of more great things to do in Georgetown with kids. 

3. Petworth Spray Park — Petworth 

Set in an otherwise traditional park, this splash pad is perfect for the smallest of splashers. Plenty of fountains large and small adorn the concrete space, which is enclosed to prevent little ones from wandering off. 

Special Extras: The Petworth Recreation Center also has two playgrounds, a basketball court, and a soccer field. 

Age Range: 1-5

Know Before You Go: Not a lot of shade is offered among the colorful sculptures spewing water, so bring an umbrella.

4. Canal Park Fountain — Capitol Riverfront

Splash pads don't always need all the bells and whistles to be fun. Take Capitol Riverfront's Canal Park Fountain. Its two dancing fountains always draw crowds of gleeful, splashing kids.

Special Extras: Canal Park also has a large green space that's perfect for picnics and lawn games. 

Age Range: 1-7

Know Before You Go: On Fridays in May (except Memorial Day) from 5:30-6:30, enjoy the free Canal Park May Music Series before or after cooling off in the fountain. 

5. Turkey Thicket Splash Pad — Brookland

This fun splash pad features a lighthouse and boat, a climbing hill, musical instruments, shade structures, and more. 

Special Extras: Tuckey Thicket's playground focuses on two themes: a mini village with mountains, playhouses, and a farmers' market; and a transportation section with trains, cars, and boats. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: A parking lot, picnic area, and bathrooms inside the recreation center make this splash pad a convenient choice. 

6. Palisades Splash Park — Foggy Bottom

The splash pad offers a water slide, a fountain, and three raised fish that dump water onto the children. 

Special Extras: Palisades alao has a playground themed around the Potomac and the American Indians who once lived in the area. From a mountain-climbing wall to slides and swaying bridges, the park is perfect for preschool-aged children. Leave it to the nation's capital to turn everything into a history lesson! 

Age Range: 1-5

Know Before You Go: The park provides a shaded pavilion, restrooms, and free lot parking.

7. Joseph Cole Community Center Splash Pad —NoMa

The splash pad at this community center is simple but large, with four huge, colorful bands that spray kids.  

Special Extras: Families can also explore the large park, which offers two sections separated by age groups.

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: The parking lot is located on the Neal Street side, while street parking is available on the Montello Avenue side of the park.

8. 14th and Girard Street Spray Park — Columbia Heights

While not as fancy as some of the others listed, this easily accessible spray park provides quick relief from the city heat.

Special Extras: In addition to the spray area, the facility offers picnic tables, chess tables, and—most importantly—clean bathrooms. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: This cool-down spot is perfect for those traveling by Metro—it's just a quick stroll from the Columbia Heights Metro stop.

9. Chevy Chase Recreation Center Splash Pad

This splash pad is small, but it's perfect for toddlers and younger kids because it's full of ride-on toys and other outdoor playthings that families have left behind. It's also fenced in, and 

Special Extras: A shaded playground for kids to enjoy when they tire of the water.

Age Range: 1-5

Know Before You Go: Restrooms are availble inside the rec center. 

RELATED: Swimming Lakes Near DC You Need to Discover

The South Germantown Splash Park features a 280-jet water maze. Photo courtesy of the park

Top Splash Pads in Maryland

10. South Germantown Splash Park and Mini Golf — Boyds

​This is one of those popular splash pads that's not to be missed. Kids can explore the 280-jet water maze with a waterfall, water-bucket drops, a slide, and spraying animals. There are also smaller fountains for younger splashers.

Special Extras: With plenty of shade and the option to pay for a round of mini golf at the adjacent course, this cool-down spot provides all-day fun. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: There is an admission fee for everyone ages 2 and up.

11. Downtown Interactive Fountain — Silver Spring

This colorful mosaic-patterned fountain contains jets that shoot water at different intervals and at heights that thrill even the shortest of splashers.

Special Extras: The plaza often hosts live music and other special events for families. Check the Downtown Silver Spring website for a schedule.

Age Range: 1-7

Know Before You Go: This fountain is a favorite in the downtown area, so it can get crowded, especially on weekends. Unlike other fountains, this one turns on mid-spring and stays open through the fall. 

12. North Barnaby Splash Park — Oxon Hill

This awesome splash park has so many fun water features—a pool with lap lanes, a kids' pool, a water slide, an aqua climbing wall, and a tipping-buckets waterfall. 

Special Extras: Showers and locker rooms where families can wash off and put on dry clothing

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: There is an admission fee, but it's cheaper for Prince George's and Montgomery County residents if you make a reservation online. 

13. Fountain on the Square — Rockville

This fountain in the heart of Rockville provides nonstop water fun. A large circle surrounds 20 jets that continuously shoot water into the air. Kids can dry off while climbing the rocks on the nearby turf area, and parents can shop at the many stores that surround the square. 

Special Extras: Plenty of parking and a covered pavilion make this one of Maryland's most accessible and comfortable cool-down destinations. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: This splash area is next to a street, so parents do need to pay extra attention. The fountains are turned off during special events, so check the Square website for updates.

14. Hamilton Splash Park — Hyattsville

Kids will have a blast at this outdoor pool and splash park featuring an aqua climbing wall, water slides, a tipping-buckets waterfall, and other fun features. 

Special Extras: Locker rooms and showers make it convenient to change out of wet bathing suits. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: There's a fee to get in, but it's cheaper for Prince George's and Montgomery County residents who make a reservation online. 

RELATED: Best Outdoor Water Parks Near DC for Family Fun

Who wouldn't enjoy the water jets at the Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain? Photo courtesy Kim Nguyen

Top Free Northern Virginia Splash Pads 

15. Potomac Yard Park Interactive Fountain — Alexandria

Situated between two playgrounds, Potomac Yard Park's splash area is so much more than just a sprayground. Its 36 water jets shoot H2O between two troughs, which also feature lights for evening playtime. 

Special Extras: The fountains are programmable, with sensors controlling the height of the water while taking wind speed into consideration. 

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: A water-treatment system keeps things clean and supports the Eco-City Initiative by treating and recycling the water. Summer fun and Earth-friendly? Cooling off never sounded so perfect.

16. Virginia Highlands Park — Arlington

The splash pad at this nearly has a water cannon, mini waterfalls, and bucket splashers and was designed with conservation in mind. 

Special Extras: A built-in recirculation system saves 82,000 gallons of water a month, making this spot one you can feel good about while enjoying a break from the heat.

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: The park offers plenty of additional fun for families, including a playground, pickleball, volleyball, basketball, and more—plus bathrooms!

17. Fairfax City Splash Pad — Fairfax

From May through October (exact dates vary), the splash pad in Old Town Square is turned on and ready to help kids beat the heat. 

Special Extras: The City of Fairfax Library and Woody's Ice Cream are steps away, so families can make a day of it. 

Age Range: 1-7

Know Before You Go: The splash pad is open daily from 8am-10pm, except on certain Fridays, when it closes at 3pm for the free Rock the Block concert series. 

18. Drew Park — Arlington

This park next to Charles Drew Community Center includes a splash pad with water that shoots up from the ground. Hoops also spray water at alternating intervals, which means kids can spend their time guessing from where they will get soaked next. A tall flower soaker shoots water at different intervals.

Special Extras: After children are done cooling off, they can enjoy the swings or rope-climbing at the playground.

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: Free parking is available!

19. Our Special Harbor Spray Park — Alexandria

This fantastic, Chesapeake Bay-themed sprayground is fully accessible and has something for splashers of all ages, including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers, a computerized water maze, a dumping crab basket, and a beach area with more subdued fountains and a water table for younger kids. 

Special Extras: Our Special Harbor is right next door to Chessie's Big Backyard, one of our favorite playgrounds in the DC area. This accessible playground for all ages has a padded rubber surface, a tree house, and the 2,160-foot Chessie’s Trail, where kids can explore sensory features like a sound garden and animal figures. A carousel runs from late March through October.

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: For safety, kids 15 and younger must wear aquatic shoes or sandals with a back strap at all times, except for non-standing and non-mobile babies.

20. Interactive Fountain at Reston Town Center — Reston

On the west side of Reston Town Square Park in Reston Town Center, an interactive fountain lets kids splash around and cool off. 

Special Extras: Reston Town Center has frequent special events including outdoor concerts, movies, and more. Check the website for a calendar!

Age Range: All ages

Know Before You Go: There are plenty of shops and restaurants in Reston Town Center, so bring an extra set of dry clothes to make a day of it.

21. Mosaic District Splash Pad — Fairfax

This splash pad in Mosaic District's Strawberry Park doesn't have any bells and whistles, but little ones will love being able to run around on the huge green space after getting soaked by the jets that shoot up from the ground. 

Special Extras: Strawberry Park sits smack in the middle of the action in Mosaic District, with kid-friendly restaurants like Ted's Bulletin and Matchbox, a movie theater, and a huge Target surrounding it. 

Age Range: 1-7

Know Before You Go: There are several free parking garages in Mosaic District, making this splash pad a convenient place for water play in DC.