Looking for splashy places to take the kids to cool off, but don’t want to pay splashy prices? These free water features and splash pads are fun for the whole family, and they won’t break the bank.
Some of them are open all year, some are only open during specific months. Try going during the early morning or evening when temperatures aren’t so hot. Bring plenty of sunscreen and get ready for fun.
Photo: Phoenix on the Cheap Media File.
Altadena Park
The splash pad opens the last Saturday in May and will be open until October 1 from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to the splash pad, Altadena also features a playground, ramada and picnic area, and grills. However, there are no public restrooms, so plan accordingly.
Altadena Park is located at 3711 E. Altadena Ave., Phoenix, and the splash area is FREE.
Edison Park
Edison Park, located at 901 N. 19th St. in Phoenix, opens its splash pad area the final weekend in May and closes it on October 1. During those months, the splash pad is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Edison Park also features lighted basketball, a playground, ramada and picnic area, lighted softball field, multipurpose field, spray pad, and volleyball.
For details on the above two City of Phoenix parks, click here. City parks are listed alphabetically on this website.
Outlets at Anthem
The best of both worlds for families: outlet shopping and a splash pad for the kids. The splash pad at the Outlets at Anthem is open during operating hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday.
For details, click here.
Fountain Park at Westgate
Another great way to enjoy some shops, a movie, or even a tasty ice cream treat and let the whole family play in water is the Fountain Park at Westgate. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fountain Park is across from the AMC movie theater, and is centered by an interactive fountain/splash pad.
NOTE: The first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the summer months, the interactive fountain (splash pad) is CLOSED. This is a safety precaution to make sure the water is healthy and free of any contaminates.
Bonus: Enjoy free music as a family at WaterDance Plaza at Westgate. WaterDance Plaza is a Bellagio-inspired dancing water attraction that combines water effects with songs “and light imagery.” WaterDance is free.
The show schedule is:
Sunday – Thursday
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., every half hour
4 p.m. – 10 p.m., every hour
Friday – Saturday
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., every half hour
4 p.m. – 12 a.m., every hour
Friendship Park
Friendship Park in Avondale has an 1,800 square feet splash pad featuring images of desert animals. Fountain Park is a great location to spend a few hours on the weekend, as it also features walking trails, a Japanese Garden, tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables and ramadas, a dog park, and restroom facilities.
Friendship Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is located at 12325 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ.
The Friendship Park splash pad is open during the following hours at the listed time of year–
Spring: April 1-Memorial Day – Weekends only from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Summer: Memorial Day – Labor Day: Daily from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fall: Labor Day – Halloween: Weekends only from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pioneer Park
Located in Peoria, Pioneer Park features a circular spray pool, splash pad, plus plenty of fun for the whole family with picnic tables, a playground and a dog park. Pioneer Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and is located at 8755 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria.
The park’s splash pad is open yearly from April 15 to October 15, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Desert Ridge Marketplace
Need to get some shopping in but want to tire the kids out first? Before visiting Target or any of the other stores at Desert Ridge, visit the Desert Ridge splash pad.
Located near the AMC Theatres and Starbucks, chill out with Desert Ridge’s free wifi and watch the kids splash around. Open year-round, daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Also in Desert Ridge, there is a Children’s Play Area located near Barnes and Noble.
Civic Space Park
Civic Space Park is a recreational space at 424 North Central Avenue in Phoenix and is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The splash pad operates daily from the last Saturday in May through September during the following hours.
Monday-Friday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Jaycee Park
Located in Tempe, Jaycee Park has a water play area with “run-through water arches, in-ground fountains and water guns.” This 7 acre park also offers plenty of fun for the whole family, as it also offers basketball courts, a dog park, grills, picnic tables and ramadas, a playground, restrooms, and volleyball courts.
The Splash Pad opens in April, so definitely enjoy it during summer. It’s unclear what month it closes in the fall; please check here before you head out. The park’s daily hours are 6 a.m. to midnight.
Scottsdale Quarter
The Scottsdale Quarter’s splash fountain is conveniently located in the The Quad area, which is in the middle of the shopping center. This is the perfect place for kids to splash around and cool off all year round.
The splash fountain is surrounded by an array of shady palm trees and is open daily during center hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday – Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Did we miss any fun free splash pads or water features? Let us know in the comments below.
[…] Fun family splash pads […]