You know it's summertime in Boston when kids are running through splash pads, splash parks, and sprinkler playgrounds, on the Rose Kennedy Greenway and at area parks and playgrounds. When the weather heats up, the water turns on, and kids cansplash around at several of the area's "coolest" spraygrounds, splash pads, and wading pools. As an added bonus, these spray parksare allfreeto visit. Read on for the bestsplash pads, splash parks, and water playgroundsin Boston and the surrounding communities. Make sure to check with the local parks departments before heading out for any updates or changes to hours and rules.
For more fun summer ideas, check out our guide to Drive-in Movie Theaters in and Around Boston for Outdoor Movie Night with Kids.If you're looking to get out of the city for some splash time, read up on The Best Cape Cod Beaches for Families.
Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Boston
The Canal Fountains areperfect for little kids who just want to get their feet wet.Photo courtesy ofRose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
1.Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains—Chinatown, Wharf District,and North End
Rose Kennedy Greenway fountains, listed below from north to south,are available for splashingthrough early October.
Rings Fountain—Greenway atCentralStreet
64 nozzles shoot up in the air and create circles of vertical water.
Canal Fountains—Greenway at Salem Street (North Canal Fountain) and Greenway at North Street (South Canal Fountain)
The Canal fountains run along the North and South lawns of the Parks. These fountains are perfect for smaller children, who just want to get their feet wet.
River Stream Fountain—Surface Road and Beach Street
The bamboo-lined, rocky stream in Chinatown is best for older kids.
Harbor Fog Sculpture
The contemporary, interactive sculpture takes cool to the next level. Movement activates and cool, foggy mist. Perfect for kids who don't want to get soaked but need a refreshing escape from the summer sun.
2.Dorothy Curran Playground— South Boston
This nautically-themed playground has some of the coolest water features in town: several large seaweed sculptures that spray kids down when the weather heats up. It's the perfect spot to keep the kiddos nice and cool.
3.ArtesaniPlayground Spray Deck and Wading Pool—Brighton
The small, nicely maintained DCRplayground has aspray deck and wading poolfor cooling off. The spray deck is open through early September, whilethe wading poolisopen Saturday and Sunday through August.
Mattapan's Ryan wading pool and splash pad are perfect for summer fun!Photo courtesy of Ryan Wading Pool and Playground
4.Ryan Wading Pool and Playground—Mattapan
The water features at this next one are extensive. Not only is there a substantial wading pool, but there are several spray features in the shapes of animals. Ryan Wading Pool is open daily from mid-June to late August with extended hours on Thursdays in July and August.
5.Stony Brook Spray Deck—Jamaica Plain
This smallneighborhood spray deckis part of the Stony Brook Playground. It's open daily from late Mayto early September.
6.Johnson Playground Spray Deck—Jamaica Plain
Like Stony Brook, this issmallneighborhood spray deckis part of the Johnson Playground. It's open daily from late Mayto early September with extended hours in July and August.
7.Alfond Memorial Spray Deck—West End
You may not be able to dive into the Charles River, but you can cool down on its shores at theAlfondMemorial Spray Deck.
8.Olsen Swimming Pool and Spray Deck—Hyde Park
With brightly colored spray features, this splash pad is big enough for everyone who needs to cool down on hot days. Thespray deck is open from late Juneto late August with extended hours in Julyand August.
9.Frog Pond,Boston Common—Beacon Hill
From late June throughLabor Day weekend, children ages 12 and under can cool off in theFrog Pond Spray Pool, open daily at 11 am.
10.Splash Fountain,Christian Science Plaza—Back Bay
This newersplash pool and fountain area that includes evening lightingis open daily,weather permitting. The fountain is on theBelvidereStreet side of the plaza.
Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Padsin Brookline
11.Coolidge Playground—Brookline
At Coolidge Playground, water shoots out of what looks like a volcano, which is a big hit with the little ones.
12.Soule Recreation Center—Brookline
Nestled right in the middle of a large playground, thissizable spray deck lets kidscool downin between turns on the slides and swings.
BestSplash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Cambridge
Cambridge has some of Greater Boston's most creative splash pads. Kemp Park in Cambridge, photo by FrankieD., courtesy of Yelp
13.Alexander W. Kemp Playground—Cambridge
This super unique playground Cambridge Common (it’s built of natural materials) has a splash pad and water wheel with attached water tables.
14.Danehy Park—Cambridge
In addition to playgrounds, open green space, and paths, Danehy Park has a large spray deck that’s perfect for cooling off on hot days.
15.North Point Park—Cambridge
The spray deck atNorth Point Parkhas one of the best views in the area. You can see Boston and theZakimBridge while splashing around.
BestSplash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgroundsin Somerville
16.Foss Park/Latta Brothers Memorial Pool—Somerville
A large, colorfulsplash pad with inviting vertical jets of various sizesopened lastsummer in Foss Park, near the popularLattaBrothers Memorial Pool.
17.Chuckie Harris Park—Somerville
The innovativewater feature atChuckieHarris Park isn't the only cool thing about this park; there's also a multi-person slide and plenty of green space.
BestSplash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in GreaterBoston
The rock features make Beaver Brook feel a little like a natural spring.Photo byaslava via Instagram.
18.Beaver Brook Spray Deck and Playground—Belmont
There are a lot of fun water features in theBeaver Brook SprayDeckas well as aplayground and lots of green space to explore in the Beaver Brook Reservation (a favorite for dogs and their humans). Tip: The rocks in the water area get slippery, so have your little ones wear water shoes with tread.
19. North Union Spray Park–Arlington
This multi-use park has a baseball field, basketball court, playground, anda huge splash pad. Parking is available, and the park provides portable restrooms in the summer.
20. Petersen Splash Pad at Watson Park–Braintree
This 4,000-square-foot splash pad provides big relief for hot days on the South Shore. Kids will love the brightly colored water features. The surrounding park has a playground and athletic fields as well as trails and views of the Monatiquot River.
21.McDonald Playground–Waltham
This splash park features run-through water arches and sprinkling snakes. Kids will also love the adjoining playground where they can run around and dry off.
22.Lazazzero Playground–Waltham
The playground and splash padarefully-fenced which is great for little wanderers.
Originally published 2016, updated annually
