50 Best Splash Pads in the Chicago Area (2023)
We are always looking for fun ways to beat the heat during the hot summer months, and one of our favorite options is to visit splash pads.
Splash pads are perfect on a hot summer day, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Some are located in public parks, while others are part of larger aquatic venues or public pools.
Many offer free admission, making them a budget-friendly option for families looking to enjoy some summer fun without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for a small water spray feature or a larger, more elaborate one, there’s something for everyone in the Chicago area.
Many of the splash pads overlap with the best playgrounds in the city because, let’s face it, parks with splash pads tend to be the best parks. If you’re looking to top off your summer day with some ice cream, here are the best ice cream shops in the Chicago area.
The splash pads are categorized by region with the free splash pads listed first. Resident prices usually require proof of residency, so be sure to bring an ID to get the resident rate.
The City of Chicago
Millennium Park Crown Fountain
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602
Crown Fountain has become one of the most iconic interactive fountains in the world, and it’s perfect for families who are staying downtown. The fountain features images of real Chicago residents and creates the illusion that they are spitting water from their mouths.
The flat surface and universal design make it an accessible splash pad for people with disabilities, and because the water spray pieces are on from May-October, it is one of the first parks to turn their water sprayers on in the city, and has a late season compared to other splash pads.
Cost: FREE
Edwin C. Berry Playground in Burnham Park
Website | 3100 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
Edwin C. Berry Playground in Burnham Park is one of the best playgrounds in the city, especially during the summer season because there are spray features, and it’s right next to 31st street beach and features gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. It really is the perfect place to be on hot summer days.
Cost: FREE
Walsh Park
Website | 1722 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Walsh Park is a fantastic playground in Wicker Park, located next to an entry point for the 606. The playground itself is fantastic, and there is a fun water area as well. The shade, location, and park amenities make this a great place to hang out in the summer.
Cost: FREE
Margaret Donahue Park
Website | 1230 W School St, Chicago, IL 60657
Margaret Donahue Park is an adorable Chicago-themed park near the Southport Corridor, and it happens to be one of the most popular spray parks during the summer. It’s a fully enclosed playground that is smaller in size, so it’s easy to keep an eye on younger children while they play. They also have a great small field with a Cubs logo for your little Cubs fans!
Cost: FREE
Indian Boundary Park
Website | 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645
Indian Boundary Park is a super unique, wooden playground in Chicago with a great nature play area, walking paths, and a fun spray ground.
Cost: FREE
Adams (George & Adele) Park
Website | 1919 N Seminary Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Adams Park is an awesome playground and splash park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It’s popular with summer camps, so this may be a better one to hit up on the weekend!
Cost: FREE
Unity Park
Website | 2636 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Unity Park is a fun, pirate-themed playground with a splash pad in the Logan Square neighborhood.
Cost: FREE
Maggie Daley Park
Website | 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Maggie Daley is undeniably one of the best playgrounds in the city, and it includes an interactive water play area, a mini-golf course, a climbing wall, plenty of places to have a picnic, and more.
Cost: FREE
Austin Park Water Playground
Website | 5951 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644
The Austin Park Water Playground is a soft-surfaced splash pad making it safer for younger kids. It’s an impressive structure with water shooters, a water tunnel, and more.
Cost: FREE
Portage Park Water Playground
Website | 4100 N Long Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
Portage Park has a fantastic public pool, tennis courts, and a splash pad area with interactive features. This is a great neighborhood park!
Cost: FREE
River Park
Website | 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
River Park in Lincoln Square is nice, shaded park with water sprays, an outdoor swimming pool, nearby fishing, and plenty of outdoor fun.
Cost: FREE
Dunbar Park
Website | 300 E 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616
Dunbar Park is a beautiful, shaded playground in the Douglas neighborhood with a fun splash pad.
Cost: FREE
Mount Greenwood Playground
Website | 3721 W 111th St, Chicago, IL 60655
Mount Greenwood has an impressive, accessible playground with an awesome splash pad. It’s also fully enclosed making it safer if you have runners!
Cost: FREE
Montgomery Ward Park
Website | 630 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654
Montgomery Ward Park is nestled along the Chicago River in the River North neighborhood It’s an interesting, enclosed playground with a water feature.
Cost: FREE
Fosco Water Playground
Website | 1312 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Fosco Park has a great indoor pool that features a zero-depth entry pool, a field house with lots of community programs, and a fun water playground with a water tower, sprayers, and intermittent geysers.
Cost: FREE
Whealan Pool Aquatic Center
Website | 6200 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
The Whealan Pool Aquatic Center is a pool that has a splash pad area, and it’s the only Chicago splash pad on this list that has a fee. However, it’s more reasonably priced than many suburban pools and waterparks. There is a zero-depth pad for babies, and the main pool is a zero-depth pool with a spray tower area for younger kids. The big kids will appreciate the water slide!
It has a large parking lot, and it’s part of the Cook County Forest Preserves and Caldwell Woods. It’s also right across from Superdawg Drive-in, one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in the city!
Cost:
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| 3 years old & under | FREE |
| 4 to 12 years old | $5 |
| 13 years & older | $7 |
North/Northwest Suburbs
Clarkson Park
Website | Churchill St, Northfield, IL 60093
Clarkson Park is an amazing park in Northfield with a brand new playground, a great picnic area, clean bathrooms, and a great splash pad.
Cost: FREE
Duke Park
Duke Park is a beautiful park in Glencoe with a fun splash pad, great playground, and a unique hand-crank train that the kids love.
Cost: FREE
Fountain Square Park
Website | 1751 Gibson Dr, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Fountain Square Park has a great playground, a bocce ball court, a bike/pedestrian trail, and a huge splash pad.
The splash pad hours are different than the general playground, so be sure to check the hours before heading there!
Cost: FREE
Bowen Park
Website | 1800 N Sheridan Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085
Bowen Park is a beautiful playground built into the hillside of the park. There are fun climbing elements, a water spray feature, a gazebo, and plenty of trees.
Cost: FREE
Woodscreek Park
Website | Willow Tree Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Cost: FREE
Located in Crystal Lake, this wonderful park has a super fun splash pad called the Crystal Castle.
Veteran Acres Park
Website | 431 Walkup Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Also located in Crystal Lake , Veteran Acres Park has a nature center, hiking trails, and a splash pad.
Cost: FREE
Prospect Park
Website | 733 N Prospect Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Prospect Park is a fantastic pirate-themed splash pad in Park Ridge. It’s fully enclosed, making it perfect for small kids. There’s a pirate ship with little water slides, fish that drop water, water sprayers, and more.
Just outside of the splash pad is a pirate-themed playground, bathrooms, a community building that’s great for birthday parties, a gazebo, and an open area for sports games.
Cost: $5 Resident / $8 Non-Resident
Norridge Park District Pool
Website | 4631 N Overhill Ave, Norridge, IL 60706
Norridge Park District Pool has a few big slides, a splash pad, and a smaller wading pool. There’s a great playground just outside, too!
Cost:
Day 1:00-8:00pm $ 7R / $ 10NR
Evening 6:00-8:00pm $ 5R / 7$ NR
South Park Wading Pool
Website | 833 W Talcott Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068
South Park Wading Pool is somewhat in between a splash pad and a pool for small children. There are some spray features and a mini slide, but it’s a little deeper than most splash pads.
Cost: $5 Resident / $8 Non-Resident
Skokie Water Playground
Website | 4715 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076
Skokie Water Playground is a 14,000 square foot pool with beach entry, a fully accessible splash pad complete with a big red bucket, three water slides, and a concession stand. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely dip and some family fun.
Cost:
| Skokie Resident | Evanston Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Public Swim* | $8 | $10 | $16 |
| Lap Swim | $4 | $7 | $7 |
Splash Zone at Corrine J. Rose Park
Website | 412 S Lewis Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Splash Zone is an amazing splash tower and water playground in Waukegan.
Cost:
| Res | Non-Res | |
| Children (17 & younger) | $4 | $7 |
| Adults (18+) | $10 | $12 |
Mitchell Pool
Website | 951 Wilmot Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015
Mitchell Pool has a large pool featuring a drop slide and a separate water playground.
Cost:
| Daily Admission | $10R/15NR |
| Age two and under | Free |
| Late Afternoon (after 5pm)* | $6 |
| Adult Lap Swim* | $8 |
| Parent/Child Sprayground or Kiddie Pool* per person rate, valid for parents and children when the Sprayground or Kiddie Pool is open and the public pool is closed. | $6 |
| Swim Coupon Book – 10 coupons** | $90/R only |
| Non-Residents+ | $15 |
Nelson Sports Complex Pool
Website | 3900 Owl Dr, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Nelson Sports Complex Pool has an Olympic-sized pool, two water slides, two diving boards, a kiddie pool with a fountain and a splash pad.
Cost:
Monday-Friday | noon-6pm | $7 residents, $10 non-residents
Evening hours available from 6-7:30pm for $4 for residents and $7 for non-residents
Saturday & Sunday | 11am-7:30pm | $9/residents, $12 non-residents
FREE Splash Pad Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00am-11:30am
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am-10:30am
Birchwood Pool
Website | 435 W Illinois Ave, Palatine, IL 60067
Birchwood Pool features a splash pad with geysers, dumping buckets, spray hoops and a water mushroom.
Cost:
Seniors (62+) • $8 (Resident), $12 (Non-Resident)
Adults • $10 (Resident), $12 (Non-Resident)
Children • $8 (Resident & Non-Resident)
Deerspring Pool
Website | 200 Deerfield Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015
Deerspring Pool has a fantastic sprayground with a soft surface and an adjacent pool with a water slide.
Cost:
| Daily Admission | $10R/15NR |
| Age two and under | Free |
| Late Afternoon (after 5pm)* | $6 |
| Adult Lap Swim* | $8 |
| Parent/Child Sprayground or Kiddie Pool* per person rate, valid for parents and children when the Sprayground or Kiddie Pool is open and the public pool is closed. | $6 |
| Swim Coupon Book – 10 coupons** | $90/R only |
| Non-Residents+ | $15 |
Meadow Hill Aquatic Center
Website | 1501 Maple Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062
Meadow Hill Aquatic Center has an impressive pool and splash pad, but the real selling point is the hours of operation of the splash pad. Many splash pads don’t open until 10 or 11am, whereas Meadow Hill Aquatic Center opens at at 8:00am!
If your kids wake up at 5:30am in the morning like mine do, this is important information.
Cost:
| Daily Fee | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (Age 2-64)** | $11 | $13 |
| Senior (Age 65+) | $9 | $11 |
| Children’s Play Area (8am-10am at MAC) | $5 | $6 |
Paulus Park
Website | 200 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Paulus Park features a splash pad next to a lake with a great beach.
Cost:
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 & under | Free | Free |
| Age 4+ | $9 | $11 |
| Senior 62+ | $6 | $8 |
| Twilight Rate 5:30 pm and later | $4 | $6 |
The Hub at Berens Park
Website | 493 N Oaklawn Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126
The Hub at Berens Park is a splash pad in Elmhurst that also features miniature golf and batting cages.
Cost:
| Resident Youth (age 2-16) | $4 |
| Resident Adult (16+) | $6 |
| Non-Resident Youth (age 2-16) | $6 |
| Non-Resident Adult (16+) | $8 |
Buffalo Grove Spray N’ Play
Website | 951 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Buffalo Grove Spray N’ Play is one of the largest facilities of its kind with more than 20 water toys. They also have options to host special events like birthday parties.
Cost:
| Daily Fees | |
| 12 Months & under | Free |
| Children and Adults | $4 |
| Seniors (62 & Up) | $2 |
| Twilight Time (5:30 – 7 pm) | $2 |
Hidden Creek Aquapark
Website | 1220 Fredrickson Pl, Highland Park, IL 60035
Hidden Creek Aquapark in Highland Park not only has an impressive splash pad and pool, but they have so many fun special events at the pool. From scavenger hunts to hula hoop contests, your kids can be entertained my lots of activities.
Cost:
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Regular | $11 | $16 |
| TWILIGHT (2 hours before closing) | $6 | $8 |
| SPLASH PAD Pre-season and Post-season | $7 | $9 |
Devonshire Aquatic Center
Website | 4400 Greenwood St, Skokie, IL 60076
Devonshire Aquatic Center has a super fun pool, splash pad, and waterslides.
Cost:
| Skokie Resident | Evanston Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Public Swim* | $7 | $10 | $14 |
| Lap Swim | $4 | $7 | $7 |
Western Suburbs
Festival Park
Website | 132 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Festival Park is a beautiful park on the river in Elgin. There’s a really fun playground next to the free splash pad.
Cost: FREE
95th Street Community Plaza
Website |3109 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564
95th Street Community Plaza is just outside the Naperville library. There is a literature-themed playground, and an awesome, free splash pad.
Cost: FREE
Wolf’s Crossing Naperville
Website | 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Rd, Naperville, IL 60564
Wolf’s Crossing is a fantastic playground in Naperville with a great, free splash pad.
Cost: FREE
Ty Warner Park
Website | 700 Blackhawk Dr, Westmont, IL 60559
Ty Warner Park Spray Park is a great destination for kids of all ages. The spray park features a variety of water features, including geysers, mushroom cap waterfalls, water cannons, and a giant dumping bucket.
Cost:
| Resident Child: | $4 |
| Non Resident Child: | $6 |
| Adults | Free |
Sea Lion Aquatic Park
Website | 1825 Short St, Lisle, IL 60532
Sea Lion Aquatic Park is a spectacular little water park in Lisle. There is something for everyone here! A hot tub and leisure pool, water slides, a tot pool, a splash playground, a sand play area, and more.
Cost:
| Admission | 11:30am – 6:00pm | 6:00 – 8:00pm |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | $7 | $5 |
| Senior Resident 50+ | $6 | $4 |
| Nonresident | $13 | $9 |
| Senior Nonresident 50+ | $12 | $8 |
Tots under 6 years of age with adult are allowed early admittance to the tot pool. Those who wish to stay for Open Swim must exit the facility and pay the daily fee to re-enter
Cost:
| Tot Swim For ages 6 & Under; Under 3 years of age are FREE Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00-11:00am | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission | 1 Tot + 1 Adult | Add’l Tot or Adult | |
| Season Passholder | Free | Free | |
| Resident | $7 | $3 | |
| Nonresident | $11 | $4 | |
Maryknoll Park
Website | 845 Pershing Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Maryknoll is a great park in Glen Ellyn with mini golf, a playground, and a super fun splash park. The splash park includes lots of spray pieces including a power launch pod, a rising flag, spray cannons, and more.
Cost:
| Infant admission (under age 1 with adult) | Free |
| Child admission (ages 1-14 with adult) | $3 |
| Adult admission (ages 18 and up) | $1 |
Splash Island
Website | 1480 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Splash Island is a blast for all ages. In addition to the zero-depth entry pool, slides, dumping buckets, jets, and other spray features, there is a large deck with reclining chairs and shade for parents to enjoy while they watch their kids play.
Cost:
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Ages 2 & under | FREE | FREE |
| Ages 2 + | $10 | $12 |
Paradise Bay Water Park
Website | 437 E St Charles Rd, Lombard, IL 60148
Paradise Bay is a Water Park with locker rooms, swim lessons, slides for the bigger kids, and. zero-depth entry splash area for the little ones.
Cost:
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Ages 2 & under | FREE | FREE |
| Child ages 3-17 | $8 | $15 |
| Child Adult ages 18+ 3-17 | $11 | $17 |
| Senior ages 60+ | $8 | $15 |
Bullfrog Bayou at Cypress Cove
Website | 8301 Janes Ave, Woodridge, IL 60517
Cypress Cove is a water park with lots of fun things to do, but you can also just go to the splash pad which is a great option for families with young kids.
Cost
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Bullfrog Bayou (Ages 59 & Under) 9:00 – 11:00 AM│ Monday-Friday | June 1-August 11 | $4.50 | $6.00 |
| Bullfrog Bayou (Ages 60 & up) 9:00 – 11:00 AM │ Monday-Friday | June 1-August 11 | $2.25 | $3.00 |
South/Southwest Suburbs
Memorial Park Oak Lawn
Website | W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Memorial Park is an awesome park affectionally known as “Rocket Park” because of the giant, rocket ship play structure. The outer space theme continues to the splash pad just next to the park!
Cost: FREE
Sprayfari Aquatic Park
Website | 11930 S Kostner Ave, Alsip, IL 60803
Sprayfari Aquatic Park has adorable animal-themed sprayers that make this spray park stand out.
Cost:
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Ages 2 & up | $7 | $15 |
| Evening Swim (weekdays 6-8 pm) | $4 | $7 |
Commissioner’s Park (Fort Frankfort)
Website | 22108 S 80th Ave, Frankfort, IL 60423
Fort Frankfort is unique wooden playground with a great splash pad right next to it.
Cost:
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Ages 1 & under | FREE | FREE |
| Ages 2 + | $2 | $4 |
The Lily Pad
Website | 6246 Birmingham St, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
The Lily Pad has lots of fun spray features in an enclosed splash pad.
Cost:
| Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
| All ages | $3 | $6 |
