
As temperatures begin to rise, our beautiful park days will soon turn into scorchers, and kids are sure to be asking to cool off. We’ve compiled a list of some fun, local, zero-depth water playgrounds for you to check out if you want to mix it up a little, or plan a day trip around the visit.
Safari Splash (at the Fort Worth Zoo): The much-anticipated Safari Splash opened May 8 and features a zero-depth water play area complete with four slides, a water dump tower, a fill wall for your water toys (probably where you’ll find me and my son), animal-shaped water cannons, and a designated toddler play area. Cost: $5 with zoo admission, $4 for zoo members.
Love Street Park (Weatherford): In addition to three separate recently-built play structures for different ages, Love Street Park’s splash pad opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and may just be the perfect place to spend a summer weekend afternoon. Free.
Bicentennial Park Splash Pad (Crowley): This splash pad gets praise from several FWMB contributors. Additionally, two covered pavilions and playgrounds make it the perfect place for play, picnic, and water play. Free.
Parr Park Spray Ground (Grapevine): This splash ground is also located next to a playground area, shaded picnic tables and adjacent large fields, making it a great spot to spread out for a few hours and cool off. The large playground has areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, along with three sets of swings. Free.
Dove Park Spray Ground (Grapevine): Located in the middle of Dove Park, kids can run around the playground and have fun in the water too. Man-made covered shade areas, benches, and huge dump buckets make it a great place for everyone to spend a couple of hours. We visited Dove Park on a cold day this past winter and had a great time; I can only imagine how fun it will be with water features. Free.
Sundance Square’s Jetted Fountains (Fort Worth): Every day from 2-6 p.m., the random layout of programmed, vertical water jets is sure to delight, and cool the kids off quick. The depth of the water membrane pool is about 0,25 inches, on a textured, non-slip finish. Frolic in the fountains in street clothes only, as wearing bathing suits or only a diaper is not allowed. Check out the rest of the fountain guidelines here. Free.
Klyde Warren Park (Dallas): The children’s park and playground features jetted fountains, and even a whimsical caterpillar fountain that, with the help of water jets, turns into a butterfly. Open daily from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., the downtown, open green space provides plenty of room to run around, and the food trucks parked on the grounds make for the perfect bite to eat. Free.
Splash Factory Outdoor Water Playground (Grand Prairie): This interactive park features a water wall, ground sprays, play structures, a water gun, spray cannons, and power geysers. Cost: $2.
South Euless Park Splash Pad (Euless): This splash ground has several water features including a raining bucket, an in-ground spray fountain, poles, a colorful misty arch, geysers, and a spray column all located on a blue rubber surface. Free.
Legoland Pirate Beach (Grapevine): Featuring more than 30 interactive water jets and fountains, this attraction is geared toward kids age 3-10. A 50-gallon dump bucket, water slides and a soft play area round out this new attraction that opened May 2015. Cost: Varies. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Children’s Adventure Garden (at the Dallas Arboretum): While there are no splash grounds, the First Adventure area features some water play activities that are perfect for young children, and there is a small, jetted fountain at the main entrance of Children’s Adventure Garden entrance to splash in before a quick outfit change and the drive home. Cost: Prices range from $13 to $18.
Haltom City Spray Grounds: Run around and refresh at either of Haltom City’s Spray Grounds located at Broadway Park (4839 Broadway Ave.) or Whites Branch Park (5290 Western Center Blvd.). Both are open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Cost: Free.
Sycamore Spray Ground: Let the little ones cool off over at the spray ground at Sycamore Community Center. Open Noon – 7:00 p.m. every day from May 23 – September 7. Nearby picnic tables could make for a perfect spot for a snack break. Bathing suits are required. Cost: Free.
Sounds like some awesome activities this summer! Water parks are always a great way to beat the heat. Thanks for sharing some of these!
[…] 4) Keeping a list of cheap (or free) activities in the area. I don’t mind occasionally spending a little money to see the kids have fun. However, at this age, I’m not willing to spend more than I won’t miss if an outing is cut short by a tantrum, accident, or both! Fort Worth luckily has hoards of free and cheap activities to choose from. Some of our personal favorites right now include the miniature train and local splash parks. […]