Are you in need of a cheap, fun way to cool off with the kids this summer? Make a splash in this triple-digit weather by visiting any one of the Valley’s best splash pads.
CityScape
Little ones may get antsy sitting through nine innings of a Diamondback’s game at Chase Field, but they definitely won’t at the nearby splash pad at CityScape in Downtown Phoenix. After a day of shopping, dining or exploring a museum, this urban oasis is the perfect place for the kiddos to cool off this summer. The CityScape splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is accessible via light rail. Or there is free two-hour parking with validation. Chairs at umbrella-shaded tables where parents can sit, supervise and cool off themselves while the kids splash are also provided. For more information, visit cityscapephoenix.com.
Eastmark
Escape the Arizona summer heat by experiencing the splash pad at The Eastmark Great Park. Serving as the hub of this Mesa Park, the splash pad provides great opportunities for neighbors and friends to come together. As kids enjoy a fun spot to cool down, parents can relax, socialize and appreciate the view from Palm Plaza. Not far away is the park’s newest attraction, the “Orange Monster” play sculpture. This urban playground was designed by kids for kids and is the ultimate spot to climb, crawl and imagine. Eastmark’s splash pad is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit eastmark.com.
Espee Park
The splash pad at Chandler’s Espee Park is what kids’ dreams are made of. This giant primary-color splash pad also includes a water tower that drenches kids from above, three candy-cane-shaped fountains and spray rings. This urban park offers hiking and biking paths, a playground, baseball fields and a skateboarding area all within walking distance of the splash pad too. As well as covered tables for picnicking and barbecues. Espee Park’s splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through August, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. September through October. For more information, visit chandleraz.gov.
Glendale Heroes Regional Park
Coming in at a whopping 10,000-sq.-ft., the splash pad and water park at Glendale Heroes Regional Park is sure to keep your kids happy and cool all day this summer. The park features 32 different buckets, spray hoops, surface jet sprays and spray frogs. A dry, shaded area is provided for parents, who are welcome to bring lawn chairs and towels to keep comfy as the kids play. The park currently includes a skateboard park, basketball and volleyballs courts and playgrounds, while little league fields, a fishing lake and a dog park are coming soon. The water park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. For more information, visit glendaleaz.com.
Goodyear Community Park
Goodyear Community Park’s spacious splash pad offers colorful arches that spray water down as kids run through them. Plus, a tumbling water feature automatically fills buckets that empty onto visitors below, providing kids with hours of refreshing laughs. Also found in the park is an extensive skate park where the older kids can shred on half-pipes and boxes, basketball and tennis courts, a concession stand and plenty of shaded picnic tables and grassy areas. The splash pad is open now through the third Monday in October from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit goodyearaz.gov.
San Tan Village
It’s time to cool off at San Tan Village now that its splash pad is open for the season. Located in the children’s play area between Build-A-Bear and Gymboree, the splash pad is open daily through Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a closed hour for cleaning from 2 to 3 p.m. This Gilbert splash pad features a soft, porous surface suitable for the youngest of kids, the nearby children’s playground, family restrooms and plenty of retail and restaurant options. Plus misters cover the entire children’s play area; ensuring supervising parents are just as cool as their kids. For more information, visit shopsantanvillage.com.
Scottsdale Quarter
With summer temperatures already hitting 100 degrees by 10 a.m., visit the Scottsdale Quarter’s splash pad for a refreshing and much needed break from the heat. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and until 9 p.m. on weekends, the splash pad at Scottsdale Quarter is the perfect place to lie out your towels and claim a chaise lounge for the day. Found in the shopping districts palm-lined plaza, this splash pad features slip-resistant tiles and a nearby family restroom that can accommodate strollers. It even has valet parking just steps away. For more information, visit scottsdalequarter.com.
Tempe Beach Park
Visitors to Tempe Town Lake can let the kids cool off while getting soaked at the Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park. This popular one-acre water playground features a slide, a waterfall and water wall, frog spray ring, water dump bucket, water cannons and a flower shower. Kids can also enjoy running through spray arches and riding toy whales. This splash pad even includes an interactive lesson for children as it teaches them how rainfall winds up in the ocean or the city water supply. The Splash Playground is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. but will switch to weekends only from the first of August through Sept. 7. For more information, visit tempe.gov.
Water Tower Park
Downtown Gilbert’s Water Tower Park is almost an acre of cool water fun for the kids. The park forms a plaza around the historic Gilbert Water Tower and Adobe Pump House. It features water walls, a large floating granite ball, steel runnel structures, seating areas for parents and, of course, a splash pad. The pop-jet fountain splash play area and water wall with cantilever bench and illuminated blue glass windows will provide little kids with hours of good, wet fun. Along with the 9.5-ton granite ball called a kugel ball that, with the help of a thin layer of water, you can push in the direction you want it to go. For more information, visit gilbertaz.gov.
Westgate Entertainment District
Don’t forget your kids’ swimsuits next time you visit Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District. Located across from AMC Theatres, the Fountain Park at Westgate is set in a perfect square surrounded by lush gardens. The interactive splash pad provides a great environment for families and friends alike to share in laughter and fun as the kids pop into the streaming shots of water and enjoy a sunny afternoon. The Fountain Park at Westgate is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the summer months due to cleaning. Plus, don’t miss live entertainment every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit westgateaz.com.
