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Why Splash Pads Are a Great Summer Outing for Kids

A splash pad adventure takes less preparation than a trip to the beach and will still entertain and delight the little ones. From Nassau County to Suffolk County, water playgrounds are great, family-friendly destinations to get little ones out of the house and active when the temperatures rise–plus, they make for terrific playdate locations. 

Q&A: Make the Most of Your Splash Pad Outing

• Question: Are Long Island splash pads free? Answer: Many LI sprinkler parks are free. We've divided our picks below into splash pads that are free and those that cost a fee. 
• Question: When do Long Island splash pads open for the season? Answer: Public splash pads on Long Island mostly follow the area's school schedule and are open by the time school is out for summer vacation, in late June, and stay open through Labor Day in early September. 
• Question: Do these splash pads have bathrooms? Answer: Most facilities do have restrooms on site or nearby for families to use. 
• Question: What should I bring on an outing to a splash pad? Answer: Grab the sunscreen, bathing suits, and water shoes, and let the family fun begin!

Top Free Splash Pads on Long Island  

1. Bay Park – East Rockaway

Bay Park combines a playground with its sprinkler area, so there's no need to dry off or change between splashing and climbing on the monkey bars. The playground, spray pool, and picnic areas are in great condition after upgrades in recent years. 
Special features: Little ones will love the sprinkler action with water shooting not only from the ground, but also from the walls at this spray park. 
Age range: Toddlers to 12 years old 
Know before you go tips: This 96-acre park offers a lot of activities for families to explore and enjoy during a visit, with fields, courts, and picnic areas. 

2. Clark Street Playground – Long Beach

The splash pad at Clark Street playground sits on a rubber surface, so even the youngest kids can join the fun. Rings spray out water that kids can run through. Water sprays from above, and fountains shoot up. Aqua shoes are optional but handy to have when kids want to go from the sprinklers to the playground.
Special features: This spray park has an adjacent playground with modern equipment, a rope climbing tower, and shady benches and tables to enjoy before or after sprinkler fun. 
Age range: Toddlers & up
Know before you go tips: Nicknamed the "City by the Sea," Long Beach has great activities for kids to explore, like fishing, walking on the boardwalk, or even surf lessons. 

RELATED: Best Pools on Long Island Open to All

Splash in the mini pools and run through the sprinklers at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. 

3. Eisenhower Park – East Meadow

Field 2 of Eisenhower Park offers a playground and a sprinkler park area to cool off. Families can enjoy the park's other amenities and then get wet in the splash park when temperatures rise. The sprinkler area is FREE, but there is a $10 daily parking fee for non-Nassau County residents from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. 
Special features: This sprinkler park is fun for all ages and even has a mini pool for little ones to dip their feet in to cool off. 
Age range: Young kids & older kids will enjoy 
Know before you go tips: Eisenhower Park offers an array of family-friendly activities. Plan to try your hand at mini-golf, have a picnic, or shoot some hoops with the kids after the splash pad. 

4. Jones Beach Splash Pad – Wantagh

Designed to look like blades of grass blowing on a dune, this splash pad is a perfect addition to Jones Beach. Located next to the Boardwalk Cafe, its convenient location makes it an easy stop during a beach day. Access to the splash pad is FREE, but parking at Jones Beach is $10 for those without an Empire Pass.
Special features: Kids can push buttons that shoot water out of the large, blade-like structures, and the water sprays for several minutes. When another child presses the button, the water comes out in a different pattern.
Age range: Toddlers & up
Know before you go tips: Plan a day at Jones Beach to hit the waves, catch a concert or plan a visit to the nearby, free Jones Beach Nature Center where kids can even explore a touch tank! 

5. Blumenfeld Family Park – Port Washington

The spray park area at Blumenfeld Family Park is on the smaller side, but it keeps kids entertained and cooled off during an afternoon visit. Sprinklers require kids to push buttons to start the water spray. The giant mushroom fountains are large and ready to douse kids with a cascade of water. 
Special features: This spot offers lots of shade to watch the action. 
Age range: Toddlers & elementary school age
Know before you go tips: Before or after the water play, explore all the other fun things to do in Port Washington with kids, and plan to grab a bite to eat or a special treat. 

6. Children's Park – Rockville Centre

The Children's Park is a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of town that kids will love. The park includes a user-activated splash pad that shuts down when not in use. Seven spouts blast water throughout the play area. The park is open to the public. 
Special features: This splash pad is located next to a smart playground, where kids and adults can download apps on their smartphones and tablets to enjoy stories and activities related to the playground castle structure. 
Age range: Toddlers & up
Know before you go tips: Rockville Centre has a lot of highlights to explore with kids, including fun places to eat and the adorable Little Doll Studio. 

7. Grant Park – Hewlett

This 35-acre park offers a splash pad for kids to cool off. While the sprinkler area is pretty simple, it doesn't take much for kids to have fun, especially on a hot summer day. The spray area is located on concrete, so kids will likely need swim shoes or flip flops while playing. 
Special features: The playground area at Grant Park is modern and offers areas designed for different age groups to play. There is a toddler section, an area for ages 4 to 8, and a section for kids ages 9 to 12. 
Age range: All ages 
Know before you go tips: Grant Park has a year-round roller/ice hockey rink for kids to enjoy on a visit to this beautiful park. 

Best Water Playgrounds on Long Island with a Fee

8. Cantiague Park – Hicksville

Cantiague Park is a one-stop park that has it all. The swimming facility includes a kiddie pool and an interactive sprinkler play area for younger kids. There's an Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool, and two water slides for older kids and adults. Fees vary for Nassau County residents and non-residents but are generally $6-$20 per child and $10-$25 per adult.
Special features: This sprinkler park features an interactive jungle gym with water spraying from the ground to beat the heat. 
Age range: Younger kids for the sprinkler play area, all ages for the swimming facility 
Know before you go tips: This 115-acre park offers a lot to families with an exceptional swim and sprinkler complex, mini-golf, batting cages, and more. 

9. Centereach Pool – Centereach

The pool complex in Centereach has a big, twisting water slide that older kids enjoy. The sprinkler area is perfect for little ones to cool off under arch sprayers, water spouts, and a tractor that spouts water. There are plenty of lounge chairs within the pool area. Summer 2025 fees for Town of Brookhaven residents, kids, and adults range from $7-$9. The fee for non-residents, regardless of age, is $17.  
Special features: This sprinkler park even has a dumping bucket, popular for kids who want to get really soaked during water play! 
Age range: Young children for the sprinkler area
Know before you go tips: This pool complex also offers basketball courts, tennis courts, and a concession stand. 

10. Wantagh Park – Wantagh

The swimming complex at Wantagh Park includes an Olympic-sized pool, kiddie pool, training pool, two large water slides, and a spray pool. The spray pool has a playground vibe, but the pool is just 1-foot deep so ideal for little ones. Summer 2024 fees for Nassau County residents ranged from $6 for children ages 4-17 to $10 for adults 18+. A Nassau Leisure Pass is required to receive the resident rate. The non-resident Summer 2024 fee was $20 per child and $25 for adults. There is also a $10 parking fee for non-residents. Summer 2025 updates will be available soon. 
Special features: The spray pool's multilevel structure has many interactive elements to keep kids busy, happy, and wet! This park is impressive with beautiful water views for the family to enjoy while exploring. 
Age range: Toddlers, young kids for the spray pool
Know before you go tips: Wantagh Park is a go-to destination for families with activities for kids of all ages to enjoy with a sand playground, fishing, mini golf, and more. 

11. Shipwreck Cove Spray Park – Bay Shore

Located next to the marina, Shipwreck Cove Spray Park is ideal for cooling off on a summer day. There's a large play structure with several slides, sprayers, and a rope climb. The giant dumping water bucket sends kids into a frenzy every time. Costs for past years were: $8 for residents with an annual recreation card; $12 per person for Town of Islip residents without a recreation card; and non-residents $25. Summer 2025 fees will be available soon. 
Special features: The pool area at this spray park is shallow, so it's perfect for toddlers, and the views are beautiful. Kids will have a blast visiting this unique spot. 
Age range: Young children
Know before you go tips: Families can explore the marina and town of Bay Shor,e where sea-loving little ones will adore seeing the boats. 

12. Geiger Park – Deer Park

One of the newer splash pads on Long Island, Geiger Park's sprinkler area features a tree-of-life theme. Bridges connect two large, artificial trees with water slides and climbing structures. Without a seasonal pool plan, a daily $5 resident entrance fee is required, and the non-resident adult entrance fee is $20. 
Special features: This splash pad features more than 20 play elements to keep kids entertained, including water cannons, spider and snake water-play features, spiraling slides, and an area for smaller kids. 
Age range: All ages
Know before you go tips: The picnic area is ideal for bringing lunch and snacks to enjoy a fun summer afternoon. 

13. Patchogue Beach Club – Patchogue

The splash pad at Patchogue Beach Club opened last year and is in a completely fenced area. Patchogue resident and non-resident beach club plans are offered, though the non-resident plans are much pricier. A family plan includes 2 adults and 3 children. You can pay an additional fee to add more children or adults. Everyone on the plan must be living under the same roof. There are also daily admission fee options for residents and non-residents. 
Special features: This splash pad features areas for smaller and older kids to enjoy water play fun. 
Age range: All ages
Know before you go tips: Plan time to explore Patchogue with the kids for more family-friendly activities, including their annual summer music festival. 

Resident-Only Splash Pads on Long Island for Kids

14. Phelps Lane Pool – Babylon

Phelps Lane Park offers many amenities to Town of Babylon residents. There is a pool with two water slides, a concession area, lounge chairs, and, of course, a sprinkler pool. The sprinkler pool has a large play structure with a rope bridge, water slide, dumping bucket, and more. There is also an umbrella waterfall where younger kids can play. It is limited to Town of Babylon residents with a pool plan. Residents without a pool plan can pay a fee for entry.
Special features: Kids love the sprinkler pool's adorable umbrella waterfall, which is particularly ideal for younger kids. 
Age range: Toddler & up
Know before you go tips: Phelps Lane Pool includes amenities such as locker rooms, changing areas, showers, and a concession area.  

15. Tobay Beach – Massapequa

The spray playground was updated after Superstorm Sandy, complete with a new snack shack and a separate picnic area near the sprinklers. The sprinkler area has low-depth water with spray arches, dumping buckets, and always-popular water cannons. Seasonal stickers are for residents only and cost about $60. Daily passes are about $20; a Town of Oyster Bay resident must be present in the vehicle and show a driver's license.
Special features: Little ones will like the interactive water play options featured at this spray playground, including the green jungle frog that sprays water from his mouth! 
Age range: Young kids
Know before you go tips: There is a lot of kid-friendly fun to explore in the town of Massapequa with kids after a few hours at Tobay Beach. 

16. Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve – Commack

Hoyt Farm is nestled in a nature preserve that features farm animals, walking trails, two playgrounds, and a sprinkler park that's open in the summer. The sprinkler park has multiple sprayers and cute rainbow arches that kids can run through. It is limited to Town of Smithtown residents with a residency sticker.
Special features: Dumping buckets at the water park will delight and soak kids on a hot summer day, and as a bonus, families can stop to meet barnyard friends before or after water play. 
Age range: All ages
Know before you go tips: Plan to visit the educational displays and Native American artifact collection ahead of your outdoor water play adventure. 

17. Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park – Huntington

This spray playground features lots of interactive play for kids. Little ones can use point-and-shoot cannons or push-activated buttons to spritz water. Kids can also dash through a series of rings for a car wash effect. The park is open to Town of Huntington residents with resident recreation photo ID cards,  and they are permitted to bring 5 of their guests.
Special features: Starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025, kids with special needs have exclusive use of the spray park from 10-11am Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 
Age range: Toddlers to kids under 13 years old 
Know before you go tips: Check out our list of family-friendly activities and more to explore in Huntington with the kids. 

18. Tanner Park – Copiague

This interactive sprinkler park is part of a large complex right on Great South Bay. The sprinkler area has plenty of sprayers, including an impressive tree that spouts water. The playground at Tanner Park is huge and also worth a visit. Use is limited to Town of Babylon residents with a recreation permit.
Special features: Kids will flip over the mini water slide, mushroom sprinklers, and cute animal structures at this sprinkler playground. 
Age range: Toddler & up 
Know before you go tips: Families can enjoy access to Bay Beach and grab a snack or meal at Cantina Bay. 

19. Venetian Shores Park – Lindenhurst

Venetian Shores Park sits on Great South Bay. When kids are done playing on the two playgrounds, they can splash around in the sprinkler park with water cannons, a water-spraying octopus, dumping buckets, and a mushroom waterfall. The facility is open to Town of Babylon residents who have a recreation permit. Venetian Spray Park completed a $1.5 million renovation just two summers ago.
Special features: The sprinkler area is right by the beach, so kids can enjoy the best of both worlds on a hot summer day. 
Age range: All ages
Know before you go tips: Families can also enjoy access to Bay Beach and have lunch at the cafe on site. 

A version of this article was first published in 2014 and has since been updated. Gina Massaro and Jennifer Voit contributed additional reporting. 

Photos by Gina Massaro