Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Chicago

Splash pads in Chicago ensure that there's always something fun to do no matter how hot the weather. Smart Chicago parents make sure that every summer they've got a sprinkler "go bag" packed and ready in the trunk, stroller, or tote: towel, sunscreen, water shoes, swim diaper (if you've got a really little mermaid), and spare clothes. Because with so many awesome splash pads in Chicago, it pays to be prepared.

We've rounded up our favorite spots with interactive sprinklers, sprayers, cannons, and gushers so everybody can get good and soaked. If you need more places to get wet in Chicago, be sure to check out our list of the very best beaches for families and our favorite indoor pools, too. You'll find all this and much more summer fun in our Ultimate Chicago Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

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Most suburban facilities are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day; if a water playground has a different opening date, we've noted it below, as well as noting hours when possible. A heads-up: some Chicago spraygrounds charge admission.

 
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Spraygrounds Near Chicago: North Side

Portage Park Water Playground — Portage Park

Portage Park is home to a huge public pool as well as a smaller heated pool for those slightly chillier summer days Chicagoans know so well. But the most fun under the sun is at the interactive water play area with slides, sprinklers, and spray. Portage Park Water Playground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Adams Park Water Playground — Lincoln Park

The splash pad at Adams Park features sprinklers and sprayers for kids of all ages and heights, including a real gusher of a funnel that gets kids good and soaked. When kids tire of the spray, dry off on the nearby playground (or in the field house), and stick around for concerts and movie nights for families. Adams Park Water Playground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

River Park Water Playground – Lincoln Square

A squishy, soft-surfaced splash pad with spray towers, sprinklers, and water jets, this water playground is also located right next to a public pool in shady, pretty River Park. The River Park Water Playground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

RELATED: Best Hikes Near Chicago for Families
 

 Photo courtesy of the Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council 

Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads in Chicago: West and South Side

Mary Bartelme Park — West Loop

Probably one of the most Instagrammed new features in Chicago, the Fountain Plaza at this compact urban oasis is the place to be on a hot day. Angular archway sculptures spray a fine mist for dashing through at top speed (or lingering under for maximum cooldown). Dry off at the innovative multi-level playground next door. The water is turned on at Mary Bartelme Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Austin Park Water Playground — Austin

The giant, blue, multilevel water playground here has slides, tunnels, sprinklers, sprayers, gushers... the works. There's not much shade, but there are restrooms, and the area is fenced in with a soft, squishy surface for hours of safe play. The Austin Park Water Playground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

31st Street Harbor Playground Splash Pad — Oakland

The colorful lakeshore park houses a sweet, natural-pool-inspired splash pad within sight of its awesome, retro-space-age playground. Grownups can watch from sun-warmed rocks while little kids play in the gentle geysers and fountains. The 31st Street Harbor Playground Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Dunbar Park Splash Pad — Douglas

A circular spray park located near the shady, recently-renovated playground has gentle in-ground sprinklers, overhead fountains, and sprayers for getting wet. Kids love dashing back and forth between the sprayers and the climbing structures, so bring sturdy water shoes. The Dunbar Park Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Fosco Park Water Playground — University Village

The popular community center here is probably best known for its indoor pool, but the outdoor splash park is a true multi-level water playground, with splashers, soakers, and a slide. This water playground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

RELATED: Top Summer Day Trips from Chicago Area

 
The Hub Spray Ground at Berens Park photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District.

West Suburban Spraygrounds and Splash Pads Near Chicago

Ty Warner Spray Park — Westmont

A recently replaced soft rubberized surface makes this beloved Dr. Seussian splash pad even more fun. Cannons, misters, dumping buckets, and a giant blue whale tail with sprinklers are among the wet-getters on offer. There's a sweet train-themed sand play area and some fun, twisty water slides. The Ty Warner Spray Park is open from Memorial Day through late August. Summer hours are weekdays from 9:30am - 6pm and weekends from 9:30am - 4pm. 

The Hub Spray Ground at Berens Park — Elmhurst

Part of a bustling community park that also features mini-golf and batting cages, the generously sized, fenced playground has two soft-surfaced splash pads and a good shade. When you want to dry off, head to the park next door. Concessions are also available. The Hub Spray Ground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. New in 2024 is the Super Pass, which allows unlimited access to the spray ground, the East End pool, and the Norman P. Smalley pool for one price. 

Splash Island — Oak Brook

Sunburn-conscious parents will appreciate the shaded water play and seating areas at Splash Island, which has slides, buckets, jets, and sprinklers aplenty, plus a cute aquatic-animal-themed splash pad just for younger kids. Splash Island is open from Memorial Day through late August. The summer schedule is weekdays from 10am - 8pm and weekends from 10am - 3:30pm.

Maryknoll Park Splash Park — Glen Ellyn

There's a bit of a Wild West theme to the wet-and-wild water play here with a water tower, cactus sprinkler, a saloon sign that doubles as a sprinkler, and a railroad gate. Just outside Maryknoll Park Splash Park is an adventure playground with a zip line and climbing boulders. The splash park is open from Memorial Day through September 22, 2024.

Andersen Park — Oak Park

Named for children's author Hans Christian Andersen, kids can enjoy a bell-shaped spray feature, directional jets, and ground geysers at this splash pad in Chicago. The spray park and a playground were added in 2006. This park stays open through the end of September and from 9am - 7pm.

Bensenville Water Park Splash Pad — Bensenville

This 2,527-square-foot splash pad was completed in 2013 and is known for being super clean. The Bensenville Water Park Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through late August and is open Tuesday - Sunday from noon - 7pm.

Adventure Island Sprayground at the Oasis — Bloomingdale

Kids can enjoy water guns, slides, pipe falls, spinning tray, and theme elements at Adventure Island. The pool, water slides, and lazy river are also included in the admission price. Adventure Island Sprayground at the Oasis is open from Memorial Day through late August. It is open weekdays from 11:30 am - 7 pm and weekends from 11:30am - 6pm.

95th Street Community Plaza Splash Pad — Naperville

This recently completed splash pad and adjacent playground are next to the 95th Street Library. The storybook-themed equipment ranges in height and is appropriate for children of various ages, and no more than 50 people are allowed on the spray ground at a time. The water is turned on here from Memorial Day through late August and open from 9am - 8pm.

Harvard Early Learning Playscape at Naper Settlement — Naperville

This historically themed water playground has a water cannon, ground misters, and water trough for a break from the old-timey learning at Naper Settlement. Kids can also play on the Conestoga wagon or learn in the sensory garden nearby. This park is open early in the year (May 15) and stays open through September 30 for any warm last fall days.

Step into the mouth of the giant pink frog at Forest Park Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy of the Park District of Forest Park 

Forest Park Aquatic Center — Forest Park

A huge zero-depth 367,000-gallon pool at this water park holds an interactive water playground, with four water slides and a sprayground. There's also a nearby lap pool with a diving board, plus a sand play area for kids. Lockers and a concession stand are available, too. The Forest Park Aquatic Center is open from Memorial Day through late August. 

Paradise Bay Water Park — Lombard

For a full day of water play, this water park offers a zero-entry pool with jets, sprayers, and even a whirlpool, plus multiple waterslides for every level of bravery, and a separate water playground for little ones. Lockers, changing rooms, and a snack bar are all on-site. Paradise Bay Water Park is open from Memorial Day through Memorial Day. During the regular season, the park is open Monday - Thursday from 12:30 - 5:30pm, 6:30 - 8:30pm and Friday - Sunday from 12:30 - 6:30pm.

Sea Lion Aquatic Park — Lisle

This giant destination waterpark has separate water play zones for little ones and bigger kids, plus four giant water slides, a vortex pool, a large ADA-accessible pool, and a lily pad feature. Changing rooms, lockers, and a full-service snack bar make it easy to stay the day. The aquatic park is open from June 1- September 2.

Stand beneath the big red bucket and get drenched! Photo courtesy of the Skokie Park District

North Suburban Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads Near Chicago

Skokie Water Playground — Skokie

With a huge zero-entry pool, three big water slides, and a multi-level water playground with sprayers, water guns, tubs, slides, and a giant splash bucket, plus an accessible "sprayground" with a rock-like waterfall and sprinklers galore, there's no excuse not to get soaked here. You'll also find a concession stand, and changing rooms with showers, and lockers, but not a lot of shade. Hours are weekdays from 12:30 - 7 pm and weekends from 11 am - 6 pm.

Lange Park — Rosemont

Rosemont residents and other families in the O'Hare area can enjoy this sprayground with a variety of water jet features. Guests must obtain a wristband at the Lange Park building and show ID to receive resident rates. Lange Park is open from June 1 through August 31. Check the website for varying hours of operation.

Fountain Square Park — Elk Grove Village

This simple sprayground features ground jets that shoot at varying intervals to surprise kids in the park. The park also includes a playground and nature trail so kids can beat the heat and enjoy a few forms of entertainment. Fountain Square Park is open June 1 through Labor Day, weekdays from 12:30pm - 7pm and weekends from 10:30pm - 7pm.

The Best South Suburban Splash Pad Near Chicago

Oak Lawn Memorial Park — Oak Lawn

This rocket-themed water play area features a variety of spray toys along with a playground. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing.

This article was updated in June 2024