We're rounding up all of the best splash pads around DC, recommended and reviewed by fellow parents! From simple sprinkler parks to elaborate spraygrounds that belong at a waterpark, have fun discovering a new place to cool off the kids. Many of these are attached to fun playgrounds, too.
Check out our interactive map to find parent-recommended splash pads near you, and leave a review for your family's favorite!
South Germantown Splash Park
christadiserio: South Germantown Splash Park is one the kids will never forget! This splash ground has an awesome 280-jet water maze, caves, waterfalls, surprise dump buckets, animal sprayers, small water fountains for the tiny kiddos and so much more! There are also plenty of shaded areas with umbrellas for those who want to keep extra cool. And if that’s not enough, there’s a mini golf course adjacent to the park.
Cost: $5.50
Fairfax Corner Interactive Fountain
christadiserio: This simple yet great interactive fountain is located in the central plaza of Fairfax Town Center. This fountain feature has some softer sprayers that come out more slowly than geyser-type water shooters, which makes this sprayground an ideal option for the minis in the family. Everyone in the family will enjoy getting super soaked here on an extra hot day!
Cost: Free
Fountain on the Square
christadiserio: In the middle of Rockville Town Square is a round splash ground that all kids will love, especially in the heat. This splash ground features twenty water shooters that sprays everyone around. This area is perfect for a casual day of cooling off - the only negative is that if your kids are having too much fun and you have to go get them from the spray ground, you're going to get wet too!
Cost: Free
Hayes Park
christadiserio: The splash zone at Hayes Park will rock your family's world - literally. This spray area has a solar system theme, so your kids will get to experience the sun and different planets while being cooled off by the water features. Don't hesitate to bring some water toys to add to the fun!
Cost: Free
Lyon Village Park
christadiserio: The splash pad at Lyon Village Park is the grand attraction here! This round and spacious ground has a spinning flower spraying water and a dump bucket that will keep the kids cool. Additional water shooters are placed throughout the ground, too. Parents should be sure to bring folding chairs or a beach towel because there's a nice shaded area next to the spray ground from which they can watch their minis.
Cost: Free
Our Special Harbor
christadiserio: Our Special Harbor, an interactive and imaginative Chesapeake Bay-themed spray park, will impress everyone in the family. This sprayground boasts a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, & a misting lighthouse and sunflower. There is also a beach area that's not as busy with softer bubblers and water tables. Oh, and we can't forget the computerized water maze and dumping crab basket!
Note: All children 15 years & younger must wear aquatic shoes or sandals with a backstrap. Adults may wear flip flops instead of aquatic shoes and babies are exempt from wearing shoes.
Cost: Free
Drew Park
christadiserio: Drew Park has a simple but very nice splash pad for kids of all ages. It boasts multiple large ring sprayers, as well as water sprayers coming from the ground and side walls. The kids will have fun here while cooling off. If at any point, they want to try something different, the playground at Drew Park will blow them away - the big red spider structure and other play sets will entertain them for hours after they cool off at the splash pad or vice versa.
Cost: Free
Georgetown Waterfront Park
christadiserio: Now this is a splash pad with an unmatched view! The Georgetown Waterfront has an arching splash fountain that the kids can run wild in while you stay dry on the beautiful grounds. Surrounded by the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center across the way, this is one sophisticated splash ground for the whole family to enjoy. After your play date, make your way to Baked & Wired for a cupcake and some iced coffee.
Cost: Free
Downtown Silver Spring Fountain
christadiserio: This spray fountain is smack in the middle of downtown Silver Spring’s plaza. It’s a beautiful and bright colored mosaic that serves as a splash ground for the kiddos to run around and cool off in the randomly spraying water geysers. To make it a day of family fun, head to the surrounding shops and restaurants before or after hitting the splash ground.
Cost: Free
Virginia Highlands Park
christadiserio: The splash pad at Virginia Highlands Park is guaranteed to impress the kids AND adults. Not only does this park have some amazing water features, like mini-waterfalls, water cannons, dump buckets, etc., it is also very eco-friendly. This splash zone has a re-circulation system going that saves approximately 82,000 gallons of water per month! So, no need to feel guilty while having fun here.
Cost: Free
14th & Park Spray Park
christadiserio: Kids will love this splash pad designed with blue mosaic tiles and water fountains made to look like fish. It's a pretty area for a low-key day of splashing around. Parents can sit comfortably along a stone wall and watch their little ones cool off in this clever splash zone.
Cost: Free
Petworth Spray Park
christadiserio: Escape the heat at the Petworth Spray Park! Parents are big fans of this enclosed spray area that houses multiple spray features for the kids to enjoy - bright colored spray sculptures, dump buckets and even car wash-style spray features! You heard that right. Kids can get creative and bring their set of wheels to drive through this pretend car wash. Pro recommendation: parents should bring an umbrella because there's not much shade around here.
Cost: Free
Turkey Thicket Spray Park
christadiserio: Will your kids captain of a ship or a pretend whale? They get to decide at Turkey Thicket Spray Park. This spray park is unique in that the decor (lighthouse, ship, & whale) is great for imaginative play while the kids cool off in the water. There's also a shaded picnic area perfect for parents to hang out in and a bathroom right inside the recreation center.
Cost: Free
Capitol Riverfront - The Yards Park
christadiserio: Splish and splash or take a one-foot dip at Yards Park. This area has a splash area with a waterfall and set of water fountains (which also become a light show after dark) for families who want to get soaked, as well as a basin slightly under one-foot that's perfect for the really young kiddos (with supervision) that prefer not to get doused. And if the weather is extra nice, pack a picnic, because there's plenty of green space to lay down a blanket and enjoy some grub.
Cost: Free
Primary photo: Upparent
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
