Best Splash Pads in NYC To Beat the Heat

Jennie Utsinger:  This Staten Island park has a gorgeous nautical-themed playground perfect for summer water play. The playground features lots of sprinklers, as well as a climbing shark, a shipwreck, and a play lighthouse. Seaside Wildlife Nature Park is surrounded by nearly 20 acres of trees, shrubs, and local wildlife.

Juan L.:  Pier 25 boasts a splash pad and incredible scenery to boot. There's fun family events, mini golf, playground, concession stand, and sand volleyball, but most importantly, the splash pad doesn't disappoint. There's 8 (yes, 8!) different water features at Pier 25 for kids to explore and enjoy! This is one of the best playgrounds in NYC.

Juan L.:  The lively South Street Southport boasts the fantastic Imagination Playground. There's a wooden deck filled with large foam blocks, ramps, bridges and climbing tower, but the water features are where Imagination Playground really shines. The sand pits with sprinkler and nearby water area will have your children splashing up a storm.

Juan L.:  Right on the Hudson River, this adorable little water park features a waterslide, a grassy field for laying out or picnic-ing, outdoor movie events, and multiple splash pads. The view is beautiful and there's a dog park if you want to bring the family dog along as well.

Juan L.:  The most popular playground at the Brooklyn Bridge Park is perfect for cooling off on a hot day. The water jet field is truly unique in design. The only drawback is it can get crowded on weekends. There are several other playgrounds within the park itself so it's a great place for a multi-stop trip with kids.

Jennie Utsinger:  Located in the southwest corner of Central Park, Heckscher Playground has river and sprinkler splash park features. Water flows through elevated water channels for wading and water jets shoot water into the air. An area with gentle sprinklers is perfect for younger children. The playground itself is one to discover, too.

Juan L.:  LeFrak Center at Lakeside pulls out all the stops when it comes to their splash pad. There are over 20 water jets and free admission for kids under 12 and their caregivers. The splash pad also offers birthday packages, roller rink, bike and boat rentals for cruising around the gorgeous lake. In the winter, the area is converted into an outdoor ice skating rink.

Kelly R:  You can't beat the view from the water feature at Brooklyn's Domino Park, looking out onto the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. 88 individually-programmed jets and lights are fun to watch, even if you don't plan on getting wet. The fountains are adjacent to plenty of seating in the form of a seating step pyramid constructed of reclaimed wood from the sugar refinery that used to operate here. Stick around to enjoy the wonderful playground, large playing field, Fog Bridge, bocce court, and Tacocina for family friendly dining.

Juan L.:  Located near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this cool play area is inspired by the museum's collection of Egyptian art. The seasonal water features at the playground include jets and cascading waterfalls.

Kelly R:  This playground in Central Park boasts a fun interactive water feature - with the touch of a button, kids activate jets that shoot from the ground in dancing patterns.

An extra unique parent and child activity involves catch-and-release fishing in the Meer! This area of the park lends fishing poles to children and adults.

Kelly R:  Grand Playground's vibrant and colorful nature-inspired play area includes a nice splash pad with a spray tunnel and dumping buckets.

Jennie Utsinger:  Walter Gladwin Park is host to two playgrounds, both with splash pads. There is a small sprinkler on the corner of East Tremont and Arthur Avenue, and a much larger water play area inside the entrance at 175th Street and Arthur Avenue. Among rock clusters and short bridges, water sprays from all directions at kids.

Kelly R:  You can easily tack on a visit to this splash park during an outing to Rockaway Beach (just steps away), but it's cool enough to merit its own trip. There are plenty of interactive water features, but the highlights are splashing through a tunnel of circular spraying pipes, and waging battles with water cannons from a ship. There's also a wonderful adjacent playground for after the kids dry off.