49 Chicago Splash Pads & Water Playgrounds (Map)

Vanessa M.:  Millennium Park features a walking path (4/10 mile), splash pad, soccer field, roller hockey, and a playground with a picnic shelter.

This park's amenities include a playground with swings, slides, climbing equipment, and a spray feature for those hot summer days.

Known by parents as one of the best playgrounds in Chicago, Maggie Daley Park is a must-visit spot for families! It's "Watering Hole" features a 1200-sq.ft. animal themed splashpad. This cozy, shaded nook includes benches for adults.

Millennium Park's Crown Fountain consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool. It is a popular gathering place and one of the best splash pads in the city! The fountain acts as a public play area and offers people an escape from the summer heat while walking through the fountain's ankle-high water.

Sarah D.:  Along the beautifully renovated Chicago Riverwalk, there is the perfect splash pad for hot summer days. The fountain, located at the west end of the walk in the Water Plaza, lies just next to an ice cream store. After playing at the Riverwalk's innovated play park, strolling along the scenic Chicago River, or shopping Chicago's Magnificent Mile, this little splash pad is the perfect place to soak in Chicago's beauty while cooling off in style!

This one-block park has a fountain plaza where kids can cool off in the mist (coming from the 5 stainless steel diagonal gates). There's also a children’s playground, a sunken dog park, a hilly and open lawn area for relaxing, and an enclosed seating area.

Shila:  The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the best free family activities in Chicago! In the Pritzker Family Zoo section, there is a small and shaded splash area with playful, shooting ground jets. This is quite the hidden gem for guests! Right around the corner from this splash pad is a spraying mist feature on a timer (by the "Bear's Den").

Kristy Pepping:  Adams Playground, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, is truly a treasure in the community and welcomes neighbors into the park year round. Their playground and water features are great fun for kids in the warmer months! Be mindful of limited street parking.

Shila:  Margaret Donahue Park is a great playground for a Cubs fan! It's located a short walk from Wrigley Field in Lakeview. The playground has the North Side team pride written all over it; from the subtle blue and red colors to the noticeably large "Chicago Cubs" logo painted on the lawn.

Features of the playground include rubberized soft surfacing, swings, a separate tot playground, picnic tables for breaks, and a seasonal water play/spray area.

Memorial Park Splash Pad offers a zero-depth play structure with spraying frogs, a tire swing and tube slide. In addition, Memorial's large playground and inviting tot lot are perfect for a fun day outdoors.

White Water Canyon Water Park is 5 acres of swimming, splashing, sliding fun for the whole family! The main pool features zero-depth entry with an interactive children’s play area, a 1-meter diving board and a 3-meter drop slide. Relax in a single or double inner tube as you gently float around the 600-foot lazy river.

 At Senn Park, young children and families enjoy the large ADA-accessible playground and water spray feature.

Centennial Family Aquatic Center attracts all ages in the summertime with swimming, splash pad, learn-to-swim lessons, open-swim sessions, and pool-party rentals.

This large landscaped park has lots to keep kids entertained, including a large wooden maze-like playground, a nature play area that once housed a zoo, and a big duck pond. The splash pad delights children with three dancing bear statues that mist water into the air.