Making a quick trip to the nearest sprinkler or splash pad around Phillyis agreat way to cool kids off on a hotday!The water playgrounds and splash padslisted below are some of our favorite local splash parksto enjoy free water play and make the most of summer.
Headed to the shore this summer for some ocean play? Check out these70 Things To Do With Kids at the Jersey Shore, and don't forget to visit our Summer Activity Guide for more summer fun!
Splash Pads and Sprinkler Parks in Philadelphia
Dilworth Plaza—Philadelphia
Located on the west side of City Hall, Dilworth Plaza features a huge interactive fountain area where kids can run around. It also offers seating and a cafe for parents.The fountains atDilworthPlaza turn on in April and are open 7:45am-10pmdaily. Note that a small portion is covered by the roller rink through mid-July. The majority is unaffected andopen to the public.
Sister Cities Park—Philadelphia
Right in the heart of Center City, at Logan Circle across from the Franklin Institute, Sister Cities Park offers a great spot for families to cool off and enjoy those summer days. The Sister Cities fountain is a unique representation of the world, with Philadelphia at its center. Jets of water squirt from 10spouts, representing Philly’s sister cities, globally positioned in relation to their distance from Philadelphia. There is also a garden and pond—race your paper boats down the stream or splash around in the spacious kiddie pool.
RELATED: BestWater Parks NearPhilly
Get soaked at Charles Seger Park. Photo by Wooster Thorpe courtesy of Seger Park
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Spraygrounds
More than80spraygrounds throughout the city of Philadelphia are open for summer 2024. These sprinklers, spraygrounds,and mini-water parksare open daily and exact schedules vary by location. Listed below are some of our favorite places to cool off. Some of these water playgrounds arealsoour favorite playgrounds for all-day play!
Corporal Jimmy O'Connor Memorial Playground—Philadelphia
Kids can enjoy playing at the playground, cooling off in the sprinkler, and shooting hoops on the basketball court. There is a recreation building with a gym and multipurpose roomsas well.
Charles SegerPark—Philadelphia
A great spot for toddlers and big kids alike, Seger Park is located on Lombard Street, not far from South Street andIndependence National Historic Park. SegerPark fits into the area of a city block and features a separate play area for toddlers, as well as a dog park if you want to bring along the canine member of your family. While the water features at Segerareolder, it's still a fun way to get wet and cool off on a hot summer day.
Nelson M. Herron Playground and Recreation Center—Philadelphia
Wide-open Herron Park in South Philly is equipped with a series of sprinklers and jets, making this sprayground a great place for a play date on a hot day. The park has five paved splash pad areas, where sprayers spout geysers from the pavement, pour torrents down from poles, and shoot arcs of water across the space.
Roberto Clemente Park and Playground—Philadelphia
Named for the legendary baseball player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente, this park and spray ground is located in the Spring Garden section of the city. It also offers a great outdoor space for after-school activities and summer camps, with basketball courts and a playground.
Samuel F. Houston Playground—Philadelphia
Located in the Andorra section of Roxborough, Houston Playground has something for everyone. Ball fields, basketball courts, hiking trails, hockey, a tennis court, an older kid playground, plus a meadow and a fenced tot lot meanplenty of fun, but the summer splash pad is always a hit with little ones.
Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center—Philadelphia
Featuring a playground, basketball court, volleyball court, and spray ground, Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center is a perfect spot to exercise and cool off. This location also boasts an auditorium and multipurpose center for cultural and fitness programs.
RELATED:Inexpensive Swim LessonsIn and Around Philly
Cool down at the spray pole at Warwick Community Park. Photo courtesy of Warwick Township
Spraygrounds and Splash Padsin the Philly Suburbs
Everybody's Playground—Horsham
Located within Lukens Park, this all-abilities playground is a super place for kids to play and has a spray station for hot summer days. The park has threesoftball fields as well as a basketball court with removable rims for wheelchair basketball.The spray station opens on Memorial Day weekend and remains open until Labor Day. Come prepared for sun, as there's not a lot of shade.
Warwick Community Park—Jamison
Visitors can enjoy cooling off at the spray pole at this Warwick Township park. Basketball courts, a playground, and soccer fields round out the offerings.The spray pole and splash pad were recently upgraded last year just in time for theseason!
Freedom Playground at Haverford Reserve—Haverford Township
Not only does this park have fun water misters, but it also has a soft-surface playground with swings, slides, and more. Plus, it’s a fully accessible park with accommodations for people of allabilities.
Fountain of Youth Spray Park—Pottstown
Located in the borough of Pottstown, this spray ground is available to families through the first weekend in September, making it a perfect spot to get cool.This spot is open from 10am to 7pmfrom Memorial Dayto Labor Day weekend.
Masons Mill Park—Huntingdon Valley
Besides ball fields, play equipment, a book walk, walking trail, fishing pond, picnic areas, dinosaur climbers, and a Safety Town complex, this 76-acre park also provides a fun water spray pole.
Montgomery Township Community & Recreation Center—Montgomeryville
Geared toward kids 2-12, this spray park generally operates from 11am to 7pm daily, starting in early June. The site featuressprinklers, shade sails, tables and benches, well-maintained public restrooms, and an adjacent, accessible playground.
Alverthorpe Park—Jenkintown
This facility boasts a little baby wading pool, free and open toAbingtonTownship residents ages 5 and younger.The wading poolis open daily from 11amto 5pmfrom June 15until September 2.
This post was originally published 2016. Writer Hillary Moses Mohaupt contributed to this 2024update.
