Why Splash Pads are a Great Summer Outing for Kids

Families need a way to beat the summer heat, and Connecticut splash pads are a FREE summer activity! Not only can you stretch your 2025 summer budget, but you don't have to venture far to find parks with splash pads in Connecticut.

How To Make the Most of Your 2025 Splash Pad Outing

Be sure to check the hours of operation before you venture out to these CT parks with splash pads. It's always a great idea to bring a change of clothing (and some waterproof sunscreen, too). Non-slip water shoes are a great way to avoid scrapes. And tight-fitting swim diapers are required for the majority of these Connecticut splash pads.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Fairfield County

1. Lake Kenosia Park — Danbury

Kenosia is Danbury's biggest splash pad (others are at Rogers Park and Highland Avenue) and offers nearly 6,000 square feet of splash-tastic fun. Refurbished in 2014, it has sprays lots of open space as well as picnic tables. The spray park is open from 11 am to 6 pm.

2. Scalzi Park — Stamford

Frolic and play at Scalzi Park's splash pad, nestled in Stamford's third-largest city park, which boasts a wonderful playground and splash pad to enjoy during the summer months. It is located directly next to the playground.

3. Indian Ledge Park — Trumbull 

One of two of Trumbull's sprinkler pads open seasonally (seven days a week from dawn to dusk from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September) Indian Ledge Park offers a splash pad that's perfect for cooling offer after playing on the playground. The park features restrooms as well. A valid park sticker is required to park in any of the Trumbull Parks throughout the year. Vehicles without stickers may be ticketed. Stickers are available at the Trumbull Parks and Recreation office.

RELATED: Top Swimming Pools for Families Near and Around Hartford, CT

 
Run, jump, and splash at Longbrook Park. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

4. Longbrook Park — Stratford

This lovely 34-acre park in Northern Stratford is surrounded by a picturesque pond and gardens. The park includes a fenced-in splash pad with a frog and pelican mister, sprinklers, and more. 

5. Lake Mohegan — Fairfield

Visit the picturesque Lake Mohegan where your kiddos can spend hours splashing at a sprinkler park complete with spouts, faucets, and misters. There is also a playground and snack bar, so all bases are covered. Note: A small fee is charged at the gate, but parking is free. 

6. Devon's Place Playground — Norwalk

Located alongside Stepping Stones Museum, Devon's Place Playground at Matthews Park has a fantastic nautical-themed playground and simple splash pad perfect for your little ones. 

7. Bridgeport Splash Pads — Bridgeport 

Beat the heat this summer at one of Bridgeport's many splash pads.  There are several, including Ellsworth Park, Beardsley Park, Nob Hill, Seaside Park Splash Pad, Washington Park, Went Field Splash Pad, and Newfield Park. Opening date TBA.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in New Haven County 

8. Lighthouse Point Park Splashpad — New Haven

Frolic in the splash pad at Lighthouse Point Park, where kids (and grown-ups) can enjoy freshwater fountains. The splash pad is located close to the beach next to the bathhouse. The splashpad is wide-open and there is plenty of room for play. There is a fee for in-state non-residents and for out-of-state visitors.

9. Cosey Beach Splashpad — East Haven

Across the street from Cosey Beach, this splash pad is nestled in a grassy picnic area. Once your kids have their fill of fresh water, dry off and head to the playground area or take a dip in Long Island Sound. Note that parking is restricted to residents, but visitors can find nearby parking on a side street.

10. Meriden Splashpad at City Park — Meriden

This is a brand new splash pad for kids to enjoy! Kids can indulge in water squirters, sprays, and a pad that is safe for little feet. 

11. Villano Park Splashpad —  Hamden

A bright and sunny splashpad that accumulates about 1-2 inches of water and has several features like sprays, butterflies, and squirts.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Eastern Connecticut 

12. Owen Bell Park — Dayville

Besides a splash pad, full of buckets and streams and sprinklers strategically placed on a soft surface, Owen Bell Park also offers trails for walking and hiking, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, and even a skateboard park, too! Just a tip: The splash pad is not fully contained with a fence.  

RELATED: Public Pools and Day Passes to Private Pools in Fairfield County

13. Ocean Beach Park — New London

Besides the half-mile beach, arcade, amusement rides, and Olympic size pool, Ocean Beach also boasts a HUGE nautical-themed playground just across the boardwalk on the beach. Next to the playground is OBP's newest attraction, a splash park with sprayers, fountains, and buckets that dump cool, refreshing water! Both are accessible with admission to the park. Parking costs between $30 and $40, depending on the day.

14. Colchester Recreational Complex — Colchester 

Affectionately known as the RecPlex, Colchester's splash area is free and houses a convenient bathhouse for changing. It's also enclosed with a fence to keep little ones from running off. Next door is a playscape once everyone's sufficiently cooled down.  

15. Lauter Park — Willimantic

Lauter Park's splash pad offers a large area of splash opportunity! Locals tell me this place is usually pretty empty early in the afternoon, while its limited hours (noon-5pm) make for very busy evenings. But it's worth the trip! It's open until Labor Day weekend.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Hartford Connecticut 

16. Colt Park Splash Pad — Hartford

This is a great place to go on a hot summer day: There are several overhead sprayers and even spinning controllers for the kids to man themselves. This is an all-ages splash area, open from 10 am to 8 pm.

17. Pope Park North — Hartford

There's a splashy spray park in this northernmost corner of the popular park (a.k.a, Baby Pope), and a full swimming pool in Pope's main section.

RELATED: Best Outdoor Water Parks in New England for Family Fun

 
Find water fun across hundreds of acres at Keney Park Splash Pad. Photo courtesy of todesignllc.com

18. Keney Park Splash Pad — Hartford

This is the largest park in Hartford at almost 600 acres. This splash pad opened in 2017 and is a mecca for local children wanting to cool off. It consists mainly of floor sprayers and a structure under which kids can stand in cool showers. Nobody can miss the big, yellow spraying spider!

19. Hyland Park — Hartford

21. Rockwell Park — Bristol

In addition to its great playground and picnic areas, the park also features a splash pad, a pool, a basketball court, and walking trails. It is easy to spend a day here, especially considering other kid-friendly things to do in Bristol.

22. Willow Street Park — New Britain

Bring a towel and a cooler because the largest (and free!) splash pad in New England will keep the kids entertained for hours. 

23. Paderewski Park — Plainville

 
New Britain's splash pads have the perfect answer to the summer heat! Photo courtesy of the New Britain Parks and Recreation Department                              

24. Chesley Park — New Britain

At Chesley Park, there are plenty of exciting water spray features, including bucket dumps, ground sprays, and jets you can aim at your friends. There's even a new pool for getting fully wet.

25. Watrous Park — Cromwell

Watrous Park has a huge splashpad with plenty of room for kids to play. Enjoy squirters, umbrellas, and benches (for mom and dad). 

Originally published in 2012 and updated annually since.