Looking for a spontaneous activity on a hot summer day? Spraygrounds — or playgrounds with a water area — are sprinkled all over the city and suburbs. They’re like splash pads but they offer cool water features like toys, sprays and fountains for kids to play on for hours.
We know that we’re always looking for ways to beat the heat! Here are some of our favorite spraygrounds and splash pads in Chicagoland to help cool your kids off.
Note: Some of these spraygrounds might be closed depending on the weather, so please check before heading out!
This article was recently updated on March 22, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on Chicagoland splash pads, aligning with Chicago Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.
Looking for more kid-friendly activities? Check out our summer fun family guide!
Splash Pads in Chicago
Adams Playground Park
- Address: 1919 N. Seminary Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Tucked away on Seminary Ave. on a quiet, tree-lined Lincoln Park street, this sprayground is a child’s paradise, featuring pipes “springing leaks,” wheels to control water misters, and of course, a short-enclosed side that’s perfect for the toddler set.
Crown Fountain in Millennium Park
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
While not technically a sprayground, we would be remiss if we didn’t add to this list the most popular water area in all of Chicagoland that comes alive in the summer: The Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. A tradition in the city, kids love to splash around this open area, consisting of two 50-foot glass towers that use projection to give the illusion of water spouting from people’s mouths.
Portage Park Water Playground
Address: 4100 N. Long Ave., Chicago
Cost: Free
Set right in the middle of a zero-depth pool, the Portage Park Water Playground is surrounded by water sprayers. Kiddos can take a wet ride on a tire swing, and manipulate wheels to control water sprayers from every direction.
Dunbar Park Splash Pad
- Address: 300 E. 31st St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Dunbar Park’s water feature is simple with tall, flower-shaped towers spraying water to help kids cool off. It’s also about a 15-minute walk away from 31st Street Beach, one of our favorite city beaches for families.
River Park
- Address: 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago
- Cost: Free
River Park has everything your child needs to have the best summer’s day ever! Enjoy fishing, volleyball, boating and more, then cool off at the park’s pool and River Water Spray Feature. Get splashed by buckets, geysers and other fun water obstacles, then take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool.
Splash Pads in North/Northwest Suburbs
Buffalo Grove Spray ‘N Play
- Note: The Buffalo Grove Spray ‘N’ Play will be closed for renovations during the 2024 season and will reopen summer 2025.
- Address: 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost: $4 per children and adults; kids 12 months and under are free
Featuring more than 20 water toys, sprays and fountains, the Buffalo Grove Spray ‘N Play is one of the largest facilities of its kind. Little ones will love launching water cannons and running beneath — and through — rainbow arches. Note: This water facility only operates when the temperature hits at least 70 degrees.
Fountain Square Park
- Address: 1751 Gibson Drive, Elk Grove Village
- Cost: Free
While this splash pad is simple, bring along some sand buckets and water toys to let your kids roam free through the water fountains.
Prospect Park Splash Pad
- Address: 733 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge
- Cost: $8/non-residents, $5/residents
Kids will go nuts for this pirate-themed sprayground, complete with a pirate ship to explore, squirting crabs, and barrels and dripping fish overhead! Reservations are no longer needed.
Skokie Water Playground
- Address: 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
- Cost: $8/Skokie residents, $10 Evanston residents, $16/non-residents. Children under 2 are free.
This giant multi-level play area houses dozens of jet sprays, a twisty open slide and a 500-gallon drop bucket that soaks everyone when it gets too full!
The Hub at Berens Park
- Address: 493 N Oaklawn Ave, Elmhurst
- Cost: $6/resident adults 16+, $4/resident youth 2-16, $8/non-resident adult 16+, $6 non-resident youth 2-16, free/children 2 and under.
Let your kids go wild at this 6,000 sq. ft. splash park that offers 9 interactive water features. The Hub also hosts mini golf and batting cages, making it your one-stop shop for a day of summer fun. This year, The Hub is offering a Super Pass which grants unlimited access to The Hub Spray Ground, East End Pool and Norman P. Smalley Pool.
Splash Pads in South Suburbs
Francis Toby Anderson Park
- Address: 4401 SW Hwy., Oak Lawn
- Cost: Free
This recently renovated park features a splash pad to cool off on hot summer days. The water playground offers a few picnic tables with canopies so parents can stay cool in the shade while kiddos enjoy the splash park. Be sure to check out the zipline swing on the playground!
Kasey Meadow Park & Cynthia Neal Center
- Address: 8047 W 91st Place, Hickory Hills
- Cost: $5 day pass; residents can buy season passes for $15-$20
Cool off with colorful water features at this splash pad. The park and community center also offer great playgrounds for kids of all ages, tennis courts, a skate park and a sledding hill.
Oak Lawn Memorial Park
- Address: 103rd St., Oak Lawn
- Cost: Free
This interactive zero-depth pool gives families plenty of space to enjoy some water fun. The elements here include spray guns, fountains and more to make sure your kids get soaked.
Splash Harbor
- Address: 8997 Lyons St, Hodgkins
- Cost: Free to residents with proof a Splash Pass. $3/day pass, $12/5-visit pass, $20/10-visit pass. Day passes can be purchased at the gate in cash.
Slip and slide at this Hodgkins splash pad. The facility has a slide, water cannons, and plenty of water fixtures to climb on and cool off under. Plus, there’s beach chairs and umbrellas for parents.
Sprayfari Aquatic Park
- Address: 11930 S. Kostner Ave., Alsip
- Cost: 2024 fees TBA
While the aquatic park has a pool, diving wells and slides, anyone with littles will appreciate their safari-themed splash pads. Need a break? Eat some snacks at the picnic area or under the shaded gazebos.
Walker Country Estates Park Splash Pad
- Address: 299 Lenox St., New Lenox
- Cost: $5/non-resident (under 21), $3/resident (under 21), parents and guardians (ages 21+) are free
During the summer months, take advantage of this suburban splash pad when you want to beat the heat. Nearby, you can also enjoy a playground, fishing station, fitness equipment and more. Concessions are available when the splash pad is open, too.
Splash Pads in Western Suburbs
95th Street Community Plaza Splash Pad
- Address: 3109 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville
- Cost: Free
As one of the newer spraygrounds to hit the Chicago area, your kids will love exploring the dumping buckets, sprays and more. It’s also worth the visit to explore the playground next door, which features a book theme.
Dragonfly Landing
- Address: 4704 Garfield Ave., Lisle
- Cost: Free
Located at PrarieWalk Pond, Dragonfly Landing is a nature-themed play set for kids that includes a treehoue, leaping lily pads and a free splash pad with interactive jets and colorful flower misters. The space also has a shelter with a living “green” roof where families can set up for a day of nature-based fun.
Hobson Corner Park
- Address: 2910 Hobson Road, Woodridge
- Cost: Free
This large, circular splash pad only features basic jets, but that doesn’t stop kids from spending all day in the water! Enjoy a game of tennis or pickleball with the fam, then cool off in the sprinklers.
Maryknoll Splash Park
- Address: 845 Pershing Ave, Glen Ellyn
- Cost: Free
Cool off at this Glen Ellyn splash park using any of its 12 water features, including a water tunnel, aqua dome, team spray and more. The park is situated on a zero-depth pad, making it safe for kids of all ages to get in on the fun.
Splash Island
- Address: 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook
- Cost: $12/non-residents, $10/residents, free for kids ages 2 and under
Kiddos who visit Splash Island in Oak Brook will feel like they hit the sprayground jackpot. With a zero-depth entry pool, giant wide slides perfect for water races, dumping buckets and jets, Splash Island offers every bit of water fun a child could possibly want.
Ty Warner Spray Park
- Address: 55 E. Richmond St., Westmont
- Cost: $7/non-resident children, $5/resident children (adults are free with paid child admission)
This Westmont sprayground is loaded with interactive features for kids of all ages, including mushroom cap waterfalls, dumping buckets and a giant misting whale’s tail.
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