The only way to beat the heat during Texas summer is to get wet! Tis the season to spend lots of time at local pools and splash pads!
Splash pads – also known affectionately as “spraygrounds” – have become increasingly popular in recent years. The unique and individual water features give kids lots of opportunities to experience and explore while cooling off in the heat. Since there’s no water of any depth at a splash pad, parents can relax a little more and let their kids – of all ages – run with a bit more freedom.
North Texas cities have responded rapidly to the growing demand for splash pads and Frisco is no exception. Frisco boasts three city-run splash pads, all of them typically open from May 15 – September 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Frisco Splash Parks Offer Hours of Free, Safe Summer Fun
Frisco Commons: One of the most popular Frisco-area splash pads is located inside Frisco Commons, adjacent to Hope Park. The water features here are all visible from the tables, so parents can enjoy the shade while kiddos play in the spray, and 
restrooms are available on-site. Buckets occasionally douse children with water, adding high drama to the fun of the sprinkler structures. This splash pad can get crowded on weekends because of its popularity, so this may be a fantastic spot to hit on hot summer weekday mornings.
J.R. Newman Park: J.R. Newman Park is maybe best known for its adorable stable-themed play equipment, but they also have a cute splash pad. The splash pad isn’t enormous, which helps parents keep track of very little ones and minimizes the attraction for large crowds. The play equipment nearby is equally suited for very small children and the proximity allows kiddos to run back and forth, providing hours of entertainment (and restrooms allow for a long afternoon here!).
Shepherd’s Glen Spray Park: This splash pad is a mostly unknown hidden gem, tucked just south of Main street between neighborhoods near the intersection of Rolater and Coit. The size of the splash pad and the lack of restrooms discourage crowds while allowing parents to let children – even very small ones – explore and enjoy the water while still relaxing. The small playground at the same location is equally accessible and the trees and pavilion provide shade.
Frisco Water Park
Another place which offers splish splash fun for all ages (even adults!) is the Frisco Water Park. It features large water slides, a lazy river, and smaller slides and spray fun for the little ones. Race down the Preston Plunge, conquer The Pipeline, try the Green Gusher, or float the Lazy River.
For the youngest guests, the Fort is a multi-level, interactive water playground with three slides and more than 85 spray features. Look up…the giant dump bucket might tip any minute! The Squirt Station Featuring the Gully Washer is a large interactive play structure specially designed for young children with two water slides and multiple spray features.
For members of the Frisco Athletic Center, entry to the Water Park is free. For non-member guests, youth day passes are $11 and adults are $13 (children 2 and under are free).
Splash Parks Located Just Outside of Frisco
Want to wander a bit further afield during the summer months? The DFW area boasts literally dozens of splash pads. Here are some of our favorites.
McCord Park – Just across the border in Little Elm, the area’s newest splash pad offers lots of water features and access to one of the largest green spaces in the area. It’s also mostly uncrowded since it’s so new.
Horizon Park – One of McKinney’s nine public splash pads, the Horizon Park splash pad arches are a fun feature that kiddos adore.
Aviator Park – The splash pad at Aviator Park is as manageable and fun as the playground. Although there aren’t restrooms at this location, there is a pavilion and a lot of grass for picnics next to the play structures and sprayground.
John Whisenant Park – The pavilion at this local haunt is conveniently located between the splash pad and the playground so that parents can keep an eye on their kiddos as they run back and forth. The two play structures accommodate different age groups well so that kiddos of all ages can splash, climb, and explore safely.
Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex – This park is one of the best in the area, and the splash pad during the summer months only adds to the appeal of the fantastic playground, creek access, athletic fields, and green space. A picnic shelter and restrooms make this a great place to camp out on a summer weekend afternoon for a barbecue.
Celebration Park – This splash pad is large and is located immediately next to the (even larger) playground. The picnic facilities, restrooms, and strikingly colorful design of this city park make this a particular favorite, so beware of crowds. If you head there on a weekday morning, you may find yourself the sole owner of the exciting sprayground.
Fairview Fountains – This splash pad is small, but one of my personal favorites since Gloria’s patio sits immediately next to it. Visit after a morning of shopping and some lunch or – better yet – grab lunch on the patio while the kiddos splash in the water.
Highland Village – A bit further away, this splash pad’s unique stable theme, sprawling layout, and artificial river make it a mandatory summer morning field trip.
Klyde Warren Park – One of our favorites, Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas boasts an adorable splash pad designed to look like a woodland forest. It’s complete with turf, miniature hills, and an artificial creek. After a morning exploring the Dallas Museum of Art across the street, this is a great location. The tables just outside the sprayground are the perfect place to enjoy lunch from the food trucks (offering lunch options in abundance).
Sundance Square – At the popular and growing Sundance Square in Ft. Worth, this splash pad boasts 216 jets that spray water as high as 6 feet tall. The fountains are as exciting for little ones as the dining and shopping options around the square are for parents. In fact, the area is so popular that Fort Worth recently limited splash pad playing hours to 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to plan accordingly!
Where is your favorite place to splish, splash and get wet in the summer? Leave a comment below!
