A trip to the splash pad with my kiddos is by far my favorite pastime each summer: no need for life jackets, appropriate for a wide age range of kids, and typically located next to a playground. There are several awesome splash pads in city rec centers or neighborhoods with pools, but those cost money. Below is our guide to FREE splash pads right here in Collin County!
Celebration Park | Allen
I’ve written about this park before; it’s one of my favorite spots in Collin County! Head over to this spray ground that boasts a shady hill, sprawling playground, and covered picnic tables. Closed on Wednesdays for maintenance.
Large splash pad
Accessible playground
Picnic tables and pavilion
Frisco Commons (Hope Park) | Frisco
This is a hot spot in the middle of the summer, so I recommend going early to beat the crowds. The spray ground has interactive water features and even a few spots perfect for crawlers or early walkers. You can post up on the green grass surrounding the park or snag a covered picnic table for lunch. Don’t forget—this park also includes a giant playground and a walking trail to a small pond.
Large splash area with covered picnic tables
Open daily but gets crowded quickly; best to go on off-peak hours
Large castle-themed playground next door (Hope Park)
City of McKinney
McKinney has really spoiled us with splash pads at different parks across the city. Chances are, if you live near McKinney, one of these parks is close by! There’s even a dog-friendly spray ground at Bonnie Wenk Park. While many of these city park water features are basic, you can’t beat the convenience of so many locations. Click here to see which park is near you!
Splash Park at Westridge (Dr. Mack Hill Park) | McKinney
We discovered this cute splash park in a friend’s neighborhood on the far west side of McKinney. The splash area is large and there are two different parks, covered picnic tables, and a big grassy area to play ball.
Al Ruschhaupt Park Splash Pad | McKinney
Splash pad
Lots of shade
Accessible playground
Right off the highway and close to Downtown McKinney
Fairview Fountain | Fairview
Located just north of Allen (off Stacy Rd. and 75), this fun spray ground is the perfect family date night! Gloria’s Latin Cuisine has a patio adjacent to the water feature and a small grassy area. Be sure to check the Fairview Town Center link above before you go for updates on the fountain status.
Small, unique splash area
Near the restaurants and volleyball court
The Beach at Little Elm Park | Little Elm
Technically not a splash park, but there’s water to splash in and a park to play at…so it counts, right? This awesome park has a full day’s worth of fun to offer. You can swim or splash at the beach area, hang out on the playground, play sand volleyball, or grill at one of the pavilions. Located on the lake, this park is a blast for playdates during the week or BBQs with the whole family on the weekend.
McCord Park Splash Pad | Little Elm
Splash pad with small playground
Open daily during the summer
Next to a playground
Dog park, walking trails, a fishing pond, disc golf course
Slayter Creek Park | Anna
Closed on Mondays
Large splash pad
Covered playground
Plenty of picnic space
Windhaven Meadows Park | Plano
Unique splash area
ADA-approved accessible playground (Liberty Playground)
Trails
Picnic areas
Frontier Park | Prosper
Splash pad
Fun and unique park
Rentable pavilions
Sports fields
Walking trails
Oak Hills Splash Park | Carrollton
Large splash area with mini playground
Shaded area for parents
Picnic area
Klyde Warren Park | Dallas
While it’s not located in Collin County, one of our favorite spots to venture to is Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. There’s a spray ground area just for kids and a large open fountain, both of which are great options for cooling off. Combine this with lunch at the food trucks, a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art, or a trolley ride downtown to make it a day!
Unique splash area for the kids
Food trucks and restaurants
Great views of downtown
Read More: Where to Find Splash Pads In Dallas
What to know before a trip to a splash pad:
- Wear (and reapply) sunscreen! Blue Lizard is hands-down the best I’ve tried.
- Bring snacks, but eat them away from the fountains. Little pieces of snack bags, lids, etc., can damage the equipment and stop the fun.
- Go during down hours. It’s less crowded first thing in the morning (8–9am), during that late lunch/nap hour (1–2pm), and around dinner time.
- Wear water shoes. A lot of these spray parks are located on hot concrete and near a playground. Wearing water shoes means your kiddos can seamlessly transition in between playground (watch out for those slick spots!) and splash pad.
- Don’t forget a towel or cover-up for the trip home. I always forget the towels and then have angry, cold kiddos on the drive home!!
Originally written by Lisbeth Van Daalen in 2017. Updated with current info!
Where are your kids splashing this summer?
